Obituary: Robert Henry Cunliffe / Investment adviser, WWII pilot

Obituary: Robert Henry Cunliffe / Investment adviser, WWII pilot
July 16, 1924 - April 18, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Robert Henry Cunliffe, a decorated World War II pilot, was an investment adviser for 50 years and was still going to the office of Hunter Associates every day until shortly before his death.
He was just as active during off-work hours, and two weeks ago, he drove to Dover Air Force Base for an event held by the Delaware Medal of Honor Society, of which he was a member.
Work and a busy schedule of hobbies and veterans activities "kept him going," said his daughter, Susan C. Skowron of Fox Chapel.
Mr. Cunliffe, 83, died Friday at his Mt. Lebanon home. He had recently been diagnosed with pneumonia.
He grew up in Brookline and graduated from South Hills High School, where he competed on the school's track team. But the sport in which he excelled while still in high school was speed skating.
"He won the North American speed skating championship," said his son, Frank H. of Philadelphia.
During World War II, Mr. Cunliffe served as a pilot in the Army Air Forces, stationed in England with the 388th Bombardment Group. His B-17 plane was named "War Weary." He flew 11 combat missions and later flew for Air Transport Command.
On his seventh combat mission his plane came under heavy fire over Germany.
"The plane was flying sideways because they only had one engine" that wasn't damaged, his daughter said. "The plane filled with smoke. Flak went through the pants of the bombardier and over the navigator's legs.
"Two fighter planes from the Allies escorted the War Weary and crew behind the Allied line. They somehow landed in a field in Belgium. All three were able to walk away from the plane, but my father did receive injuries" for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.
He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and had been working in recent years for the establishment of the National Purple Heart Trail, which would designate highways in honor of wounded veterans.
After the war he attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning bachelor's and master's degrees.
Mr. Cunliffe was a former elder for First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh and recently had been attending Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church. He was a past president of the 388th Bomb Group Association. He volunteered with Sharing & Caring Inc., which takes patients from veterans hospitals on local river boat cruises. He was also a member of the Club de Monte Carlo, American Philatelic Society and the American Revenue Association.
Mr. Cunliffe also is survived by another son, John R. of Oak Hill Virginia; and four grandchildren.
Friends will be received today and tomorrow from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Beinhauer Mortuary, 2630 West Liberty Avenue, Beechview, where services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.

Obituary: Robert Henry Cunliffe / Investment adviser, WWII pilot