Veteran Of The Month

Robert ‘Bob’ W. Fisbeck was named Jefferson County Veteran of the Month at a meeting of the county commissioners on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. In addition, Fisbeck was also presented with a handmade wreath by Marley Rosener of Fairbury. In May of 1960, Fisbeck volunteered to serve in the United States Navy. He graduated from recruit training on December 11, 1960, at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA. After nine weeks of training, recruits were part of a full-dress parade and review before military officials and civil dignitaries and presented as Navy Blue Jacket Personnel ready for duty with the United States Navy. During his naval training, Fisbeck developed the skills and knowledge as a plumber, gas fitter, and steamfitter. He received part of his training on the Great Lakes.Following his basic training, Fisbeck reported for duty to the 9th Naval District: USN7C, Great Lakes, Illinois. He was assigned to an Assault Craft Unit the USS George Clymer APA-2, an attack transport, a unit of the Amphibious Forces Pacific Fleet. This craft was commissioned on June 15, 1942, and at the time, was one of the largest attack transports for the United States. During his tour of duty, the USS Clymer was stationed in several places in the Pacific including Buckner Bay, Philippines, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Formosa, Sasebo, Midway and Yokosuka.On September 28, 1962, Fisbeck was awarded the Department of the Navy’s Good Conduct Award which promotes fidelity, zeal and obedience. That same year, on May 16th, he was then appointed as Shipfitter P third class. Fisbeck was on duty in October of 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a time of confrontation between the United States, the Soviet Union, and Cuba. On October 22, 1962, then-President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation informing the public of his decision to enact a Naval blockade around Cuba due to the presence of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba. Fisbeck was part of the blockade, poised to defend and protect the national security of the United States.Fisbeck was Honorably Discharged on the 28th of September, 1965. Upon discharge, Fisbeck married Leta Bristor and they lived in Colorado, Kansas, and California before settling down in Fairbury, where he worked for Scherbarth, Inc. and Schipper Construction before working as an independent contractor in the area. For 10 years, he also worked for the Jefferson Community Hospital doing maintenance and making wood products, frames, and shelves that are still used today.Fisbeck and his wife have four children, Karrie, Randy, Kenneth and Michael. He also has 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

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