H.R. No. 1172
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed member of the
  Greatest Generation is truly cause for celebration, and Robert
  Richard Fegraeus of Dallas marked this momentous milestone in his
  life on April 4, 2021, in the company of family and friends; and
         WHEREAS, Born in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1921, Bob Fegraeus is
  the son of Erik and Idaline Fegraeus; he graduated from Central High
  School and attended what is now the University of Minnesota Duluth;
  coming of age during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and
  became a pilot; he served in the Pacific Theater on the USS
  Independence (CVL-22) with VFN-41, the "Shademaids"; his squadron
  is considered the first to fly night missions off aircraft carriers
  without radar, requiring aviators to read the wake of the carrier
  and land by the dim light of smudge pots on the deck; and
         WHEREAS, One of the first Hellcat fighter pilots,
  Mr. Fegraeus logged over 900 hours in F6Fs, racking up 140 carrier
  landings, including 40 at night; on one mission, his plane took
  enemy fire through the wing, less than four feet from the cockpit;
  he continued to serve following the war, retiring after 22 years in
  1964 at the rank of commander; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Fegraeus married Doris "Dorrie" Zimmerman in
  Coronado, California; settling in Dallas, they raised three
  children, and Mr. Fegraeus worked as a claims manager for Mutual of
  Omaha; the couple shared a fulfilling relationship until
  Mrs. Fegraeus's passing in 2010; and
         WHEREAS, A valued member of his community, Mr. Fegraeus
  belongs to East Dallas Christian Church, where he is known for his
  dry wit and coffee-making prowess, as well as his derring-do,
  although he reportedly gave up skydiving at some point after his
  90th birthday; today, he enjoys the love and support of his family,
  which has grown to include his daughter, Karin Morgan, and her
  husband, Sonny, his sons, Eric and his wife, Susie, and Kurt and his
  wife, Susan, and his grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer, Jacob, Kelsey,
  Jordan, and Kendall, and great-grandchildren, Drew, Ben, and
  Hannah; and
         WHEREAS, Over the course of a century, Bob Fegraeus has
  bravely served his nation and met life's challenges and
  opportunities with grace and fortitude, earning the deep admiration
  of all who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate Robert Richard Fegraeus on his
  100th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
  happiness; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Mr. Fegraeus as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.
 
  Neave
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1172 was adopted by the House on May
  23, 2021, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House