Obituary of Robert G. Buttinger

Robert G. Buttinger, 98, of Masonicare Village, Chester, CT passed away December 31, 2021. A WWII veteran, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Born August 21, 1923, in Boston, MA he grew up in Sharon, MA son of Walter and Helen Graves Buttinger. Bob is pre-deceased by Virginia Stevens Buttinger, his former wife of 56 years who died in 2002, and his late wife, Mary Gallagher Buttinger who recently died in 2021.He is survived by his son, Kenneth and his wife Jane King Buttinger of Old Lyme, CT and his daughter Nancy Buttinger Cohen of East Berlin, CT. Other survivors are his granddaughter Karie Buttinger Zipper and husband Daniel of Aldie, VA and their daughters Madelyn and Katelyn; his grandson Kyle Buttinger and wife Jasmine of Grass Valley, CA and their daughters April, Norah and son Benjamin; and his grandson Ross Cohen, of Lawrence, MA. He is also survived by his younger brother, Richard Buttinger and his wife Sally of Norwood, MA. After graduating from Sharon High School, he attended Norwich University – The Military College of Vermont to study civil engineering. At the beginning of WWII, he was inducted into the US Army in his freshman year serving in the European Theatre invasion of Nazi Germany. Assigned to the 10th Armored Division, 3rd Army under General Patton his division was directed to the Ardennes for action in the infamous Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. Returning home he married his pre-war sweetheart, Virginia and continued at Norwich University to complete a BS Civil Engineering. He began his career with Merritt-Chapman & Scott, NYC as a bridge construction engineer. He then joined General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division retiring after 37 years as Manager, Facilities Engineering. Bob was a long-time resident of Waterford, CT. and served in the PTA, local Boy Scouts. In retirement he volunteered in organizing the annual Waterford Week, the New London Food Bank and the Waterford Lions Club. He was an avid fan of the Mohegan Suns Women’s basketball team, the former Boston Braves subsequently Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics. He enjoyed golf, playing bridge, gardening and tackling various home projects. Funeral arrangements will be privately held. He will be interred at the Norwich University Cemetery in Northfield, Vermont at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780 www.myhfotusa.org To share a memory of Bob or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.