Originally, born in Chicago (1917), Robert (Bobby) came to Downers Grove with his parents in 1923. He attended the local grade schools and graduated from Downers Grove High School in 1934. He was an exceptional student. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Cauldron, and Student Council. He graduated from the University of Chicago on a scholarship. At the time of his enlistment in the AirForce, he was an assistant to the auditor at Ryerson & Co. with a brilliant business future ahead.
He died on a “routine flight” ten miles south of Foster Field, Victoria, Texas while in flight training for the Army Air Corp in 1942. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.
Born in Chicago Feb. 16, 1917, Lt. Jones came to Downers Grove with his parents in 1923. He graduated from the local grade schools and from Downers Grove Community High School with the class of 1934. In high school he made one of the best records ever to be made by any high school student both from a scholastic and extra-curricular standpoint. He was a leader in everything except athletics and all during his four years in school was one of the stars of every play. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Quill & Scroll, was on the Student Council, the Cauldron staff and Executive Board Booster of Math, Spanish, French, Book and Rifle Clubs and served as president of each and was also president of the graduating class. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1936 from University of Chicago which he had attended with a scholarship and was a Delta Upsilon at the university. At the time of his enlistment in the Air Force last January he was assistant to the auditor of Ryerson & Co., and had a brilliant business future before him.
“Bobby” was tenth high in intelligence of all men who have taken the examinations before the Chicago flight board and was fourth high in standing on the graduation from the flying course in early October. His ability as a flyer was recognized by his superior officers and he was retained at the field as an instructor at the advanced flying base. Just how the accident happened which took his life had not been ascertained as The Reporter went to press.
Source: Downers Grove Reporter, Thursday, November 12, 1942
His name is engraved on the plaque at Memorial Park in Downers Grove honoring local servicemen who never returned home from World War II.
