THORNDIKE, ROBERT W
LT COL   US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF BIRTH: 07/03/1915
DATE OF DEATH: 07/11/2003
BURIED AT:   CEMETERY ON THE HILL   WINDHAM, NH 03087

On July 11, 2003 Windham lost one of its most outstanding citizens with the death of Robert W. Thorndike. A week prior, Bob had celebrated his 88th birthday – achieving his final goal before succumbing to a lengthy illness.    Bob accomplished much during his lifetime, some of which we
would like to share with you as we dedicate the 2003 Annual Reports to his memory.
   A native of Medford, MA, Bob graduated from college with a degree in landscape architecture. When America entered WWII, Bob postponed his career to join the Air Force where he ultimately flew B-25 bombers. During his five years of active duty, he served in the South Pacific and North
Africa receiving several commendations including two Purple Hearts. Upon his discharge from active duty, Bob continued to serve his country in the Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
   In 1948, two years after moving to Windham, Bob established a highly successful surveying business, which he owned and operated until 1990. Several of Windham’s most aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods were designed by Bob over the years. In 1954, Bob married and he and his
wife Lena (DiBenedetto) raised two sons, David and John.
   Bob’s years of service to Windham began in 1951, when he was elected to the Board of Selectmen. He served as a member of the Board for a total of 18 years. During that same time period, he also completed a term as Representative to the General Court, and five years as a Planning Board member. In 1966, Bob accepted and completed the task of developing the Town’s first tax maps. In 1990, Bob was appointed Windham’s first, full-time Town Engineer; a position he held until his death.   He also served as consultant to the Planning Board for many years, and was one of Windham’s most avid historians. Bob was a man of determination when it came to historical queries, and would spend many hours doing research on a particular subject until he was satisfied
with the resulting answer(s).
   A quiet and unassuming individual, Bob conducted himself with dignity and integrity in all of his endeavors. Those who knew him miss his whimsical grin and infectious chuckle, both trademarks of his softspoken
nature. A true gentlemen’s gentleman, Bob’s legacy to the Town was his professional performance of any job asked of him, without the need for recognition. Bob’s devotion to his family, community, and country was
unquestionable, but he rarely, if ever, felt the need to boast of these particular attributes.
   John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Bob Thorndike epitomized those sentiments, in all aspects of his life, and the Board of Selectmen, on

behalf of the Town of Windham, is proud to salute Lt. Colonel Robert W. Thorndike for his fifty-two years of dedicated and commendable service to the community.

Publication: 17 Sep 1975 - Nashua, New Hampshire
Newspaper: Syracuse Herald
Publication: 09 March 1943 - Syracuse, New York
"Ace Gunners"

World War II Army Enlistment Records 1938 - 1946
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 31015837
NAME THORNDIKE ROBERT W
RESIDENCE: STATE 13 MASSACHUSETTS
RESIDENCE: COUNTY 017 MIDDLESEX
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 4341 FT BENNING GEORGIA
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 10  Nov. 1941
GRADE:   Aviation Cadet
BRANCH:  Air Corps
NATIVITY  MASSACHUSETTS
YEAR OF BIRTH   1915
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP  White, citizen
EDUCATION  4 years of college
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION  Soldiers, sailors, marines, and coast guards, n.e.c.
MARITAL STATUS  Single, without dependents

Social Security Death Index
Name: Robert W. Thorndike
SSN: 020-05-9635
Last Residence: 03087 Windham, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States of America
Born: 3 Jul 1915
Died: 11 Jul 2003

State (Year) SSN issued: Massachusetts (Before 1951)

U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
Name: Robert W Thorndike
Service Info.: LT COL US AIR FORCE WORLD WAR II
Birth Date: 3 Jul 1915
Death Date: 11 Jul 2003
Cemetery: Cemetery On The Hill

Cemetery Address: Windham, NH 03087

U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002
Name: Robert W Thorndike
Address: 21 Golden Brook Rd
City: Windham
State: New Hampshire
Zip Code: 03087-1815
Phone Number: 603-898-7129

Residence Years: 1993 1994 1995 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

1920 Census/Medford Ward 5/Middlesex Co./Massachusetts/Roll: 715/ED-326/Page: 8A
Household Members: Name Age
George A Thorndike/head of Household/31
Edith M Thorndike/Wife/33
Harry O Knight/StepSon/14
Robert W Thorndike/Son/4yrs-6mos

Placed by Barbi Ennis Connolly, 57th Bomb Wing Historical Researcher, our Team is John Fitzgerald and Patti Johnson and myself. PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com