ROBERT M. Age 95, passed away on Monday March 26, 2012. Robert was the first of four children born to Harry and Hazel Malone in Edmond, Kansas on September 7, 1916. His family moved from Kansas to Enid, Oklahoma when he was six years of age. In 1940 he married Ernestine Rapp also of Enid and moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico. On Jan. 6, 1941 he joined the New Mexico National Guardsmen of the 200th Coast Artillery Regiment stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. Robert and his brother, Richard Malone, were deployed to the Phillipines and captured during the fall of Bataan by Japanese forces. Both survived the Bataan Death March. He and Richard were later transported by ship to Japan spending the next three and a half years as prisoners of war in Niigata, Japan. Upon liberation in 1945 and following his discharge, Robert returned to Carlsbad to work at the potash mining company, PCA, from 1946 to 1951. He then worked for Duval Mining Corp as a chief electrician until he retired in 1978. He was a long time resident of Carlsbad, New Mexico and was an avid golfer and fisherman. After losing his eyesight to macular degeneration in his eighties, his passion for listening to Big Band Swing era music sustained him throughout the rest of his life. He was particularly devoted to the music of Duke Ellingtons' band and up until recently could still identify individual musicians and their instruments by sound. Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Ernestine, who passed at age 92 in 2009. He is survived by his daughter Suzanne Sundt, her husband Duke of Sapello, New Mexico and their children: Jody Sundt and Marilee Hanks; his daughter Robin Boyd, her husband Andy of Albuquerque, NM and their children: Melinna and Jamie; his son Richard Malone of Tucson, Arizona and two great grandchildren: Emma and James Barger. The family of Robert and Ernestine Malone want to thank the staff at Fairwinds Retirement Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico for their kindness and constant support throughout the years they resided there. Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, in Santa Fe New Mexico and at this time a date for burial services are pending. Memorial contributions may be made to charities of your choice. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit: www.danielsfuneral.com Robert's care entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Svs 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM, 87109 505-821-0010
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