Gen. Bill Maloney on the passing of Colonel Zitnik with a request from his family. Col Bob Zitnik'son called to tell me that his father died in Colorado Springs. Col Bob was CO of VMO-6, brought it to KY HA in ' 65, commanded it till the spring of ' 66, and served as MAG-36 S-3 until late that summer. Young Bob is trying to locate any Klondikers who might be in the Colorado Springs area.The funeral there is scheduled for next Tuesday. I'm asking you all because your networks are better than mine. He is really looking for some stalwart to read a few words. The family is pretty washed out as they had buried their Mom the day before their Dad, Col Bob, died. If anybody wants to go directly because of time, his cell is 303-917-5954 and e-mail (mailto:bobzitnik@comcast.net) .
Ed Alexander
From the Colorado Springs Gazette
Robert J. Zitnik
Colonel Robert J. Zitnik died at the age of 85 in Parker, CO on Tuesday, February 6th 2007 after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Berwyn, Illinois, where he attended Morton H.S. He married his wife of 60 years, Catherine Rita Shay, his childhood sweetheart who lived across the street. He was a highly decorated U.S. Marine Aviator and retired after 33 years in Colorado Springs, CO as a Colonel in June of 1974. He then started his second vocation and volunteered his time endlessly for Corpus Christi Church, Retired Veterans of Fort Lyons, Marriage Counseling, Bible Study, family and donated freely to the Catholic Church and Bishop fund. He loved the Church, his family, the Marine Corps and his Country. He is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Mary Zitnik, his sisters Marge Slad and Helen Dubsky, and his loving wife Catherine Rita Zitnik. He is survived by his son Robert (Michelle) Zitnik, Breanne and Cortnee, Aurora, CO; grandchildren Dawn (Chris) Schaefer, Parker, CO; Todd Zitnik, Denver, CO; Shannon (Steve) Edson, Loveland, CO; six great grandchildren Trevor and Riley Schaefer, Jacob, Valda, Rachel and Josiah Edson; and sister Marian (John) Pezzullo of Westchester, Illinois. Colonel Zitnik was a strong man, respected and missed by all that knew him. Visitation scheduled from 1:00-4:00 pm, Monday, February 12, 2007, Swan-Law Funeral Director's, 501 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. Rosary will follow at 6:00 pm, Monday, February 12, 2007, Corpus Christi Church, 2318 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. Funeral mass at 11:30 am, Tuesday, February 13, 2007, Corpus Christi Church, 2318 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. Burial will follow at 2:30 pm, Tuesday, February 13, 2007, Fort Logan National Cemetery, Area "B" Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers please send donations to The Hospice of Metro Denver, 501 South Cherry Street, Suite 700 Denver, CO 80246-1328.
Published in The Gazette on 2/11/2007.
Ed Alexander