Robert Lacaff

Robert F. LaCaff died on July 20, 2017. Born Robert Lauren Vandewater, 31 March 1926, in Chicago, Illinois to Leola Maurine LaCaff and Herman C. Vandewater. He was adopted in August, 1926 by his maternal grandparents, Florian Leo and Leola Mabel (Requa) LaCaff. Following the death of Florian in 1932, Leola selflessly raised Robert through his early teen years until he was reunited with his beloved birth mother. In late 1944, he was drafted from high school into the United States Army. He served in Europe with the 10th Armored Division during World War II and received the Purple Heart. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Cavalry, in Germany in December 1946. He served six years in Europe and several years in each Thailand and Iran, both with Joint US Military Advisory Groups. Further service was with the 2nd Armored Division, the US Army Armor School, and numerous staff assignments related to complex research and development of military organizational structure, function, and their equipment and the training, education and inspection of US Army Reserve units. He retired in grade of Lt. Colonel in August 1966. Following college, he was engaged in construction, restoration, and renovation of residential houses, assignments with the US Postal Service, and volunteer services with management and support of Community Theater. In San Antonio, he was active with the Alamo Theater Arts Council (ATAC), Speech Arts Association, and Friends of the San Antonio Public Library. In 1952, he met and fell in love with Lee Bortner, who was serving with American Special Services in Germany, and married her in York, Pennsylvania in December 1954. She was his supportive soul mate who created over fifty years of loving marriage and eventful, ever delightful, worldwide life sustaining experience. He is survived by his brother-in-law’s wife, Gene Bortner, cherished God Daughter, Patricia White Deane, near-daughter Vibeke Madsen Ronne of Copenhagen, Denmark, and his memories of many incredibly marvelous friends, multi-branch associates, librarians, attorneys, educators, performers, directors, choreographers, musicians, artists, writers, providers, dedicated volunteers, and world-wide neighbors. His wife, Lee, and brother in law, Jeffrey Bortner, Esq., predeceased him. His eternal thanks and appreciation to all for the pleasure, and honor of sharing your acquaintance, your service, talents, and honor of his sharing your acquaintance, your service, talents and friendship. Columbarium inurnment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas took place on August 3, 2017.