Robert 'Bob A. Drives

Madison -- Robert ""Bob"" A. Drives, age 89, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Oakwood Hebron Oaks with his wife at his side.   He was born in Madison on June 9, 1920, the first child of Alex and Grace (Wells) Drives.   He graduated from West High School and attended the University of Wisconsin School of Mechanical Engineering, carrying 16 to 18 credits a semester and working a 40 hours a week for Bowman Dairy.   At the end of his third year, the United States was involved in World War II and he applied to the United States Army Air Force and was accepted as a Flying Cadet.   When his record was reviewed it was noted that he had three years of engineering at the University of Wisconsin. They sent him to Yale University for study in advanced radar training, where he graduated and was commissioned a second Lieutenant.   During his student years at the University of Wisconsin, he met Dorothy Bushnell, who also was from Madison.   She was in the service with the American Red Cross and they corresponded about different assignments.   When she last heard from him he was a Captain with an 8th Air Force B17 squadron stationed in England.   He was awarded two battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation with an Oak Leaf.   After D Day, he returned to Madison and called Dorothy's mother to inquire about her whereabouts.   She happened to have been in Madison visiting her mother and answered the phone.   They were married on September 6, 1946.   Bob went back to the University of Wisconsin to finish his senior year in mechanical engineering.   After graduation, they built their first home, doing most of the work themselves.   The house was not quite finished when the phone rang one day and Captain Drives was recalled to active duty for the Korean War.   He was granted a short delay to get their home finished and they started out together for Scott Field on the coldest day ever recorded in Madison -36 degrees below zero .   His first assignment was Tinker Field, Oklahoma.   After a few months he was transfered to Hickham Field, Hawaii, where he was the Commanding Officer of a Communications Squadron.   Dorothy eventually was able to join him there.   When his tour of duty was over they returned home and Bob resumed his career as a mechanical engineer in General Machine Development at Oscar Mayer Foods until his retirement.   He was a Charter Member of the Madison Chapter for the Advancement of Management, a Life Member of the University of Wisconsin Alumnae Club, a member of the Bascom Hill Society, a member of Blackhawk Country Club, and an Honorary Life Member of the Madison Curling Club.   Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy, their son, Douglas (Jean) Drives of Alpharetta, Georgia, three grandchildren, Tony, Hannah and Maddie Drives; his sister, Marjorie (Frank) Schiro; and five nieces and nephews, Joseph Schiro, Karen (John) McGuire, Robert (Debbie) Schiro, Carla (Pat) McGill and Cathy (William) Cross.   He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard Drives; and two sisters, Janet (Joseph) Demerath, and Lois (Clayton) Sherman.   Memorial services will be held at OAKWOOD VILLAGE WEST, RESURRECTION CHAPEL, 6025 Mineral Point Rd., Madison on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. with Chaplain Byron Bunge officiating.   Private graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Platteville.   Memorials may be made in memory of Bob to the Oakwood Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI   53705 or to UW Health American Family Children's Hospital, Attn: Colleen Fraser, 1675 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792-8350.