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He was born Nov.4, 1922, in Rye to Ethel and William Lynch.
He attended Milton School and Rye High School before graduating from New York University. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 19 without any prior discussion with his parents. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division as a combat infantryman and participated in first-wave amphibious assault landings on Anzio, Italy, and St. Tropez, France, accumulating 350 days in frontline combat.
He received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his valor and service.
Twelve years after the war, he settled down with Helen Brendel of Rye. Together they had four children. Throughout his life, he was an active community leader in town and at Church of the Resurrection in Rye.
He was twice honored by the city of Rye for distinguished and devoted service. He coached Little League and served on the board of many organizations, including Rye United Fund, Square House Restoration, Mayor’s Committee for Handicapped, Rye Boy Scouts, Rye Chapter of the American Red Cross, Rye Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Community Improvement, Rye YMCA, Rye Youth Council Fair, United Hospital Fund Drive, as well as Resurrection’s Dad’s Club and Cardinal Spellman’s 50th Jubilee.
He was a lifetime member of the Rye American Legion Post 128 and former member of the Rye Lions Club. Bob spent his career as an executive with Citicorp, NY, and during his tenure helped build and then manage the current Citibank branch in the center of town. He also helped finance the city’s purchase of Rye Golf Club.
He is survived by his wife, M. Roberta Lynch of Vero Beach, Fla.; daughter Kathleen (Timothy) Moynihan of Rye; sons Robert Jr. (Mary Beth) Lynch of Coral Springs, Fla., Brian (Lynn) Lynch of Roswell, Ga., and Christopher (Sue) Lynch of Roswell, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Roberta’s six daughters: Marian (Bob) Rice, Loretta (Morgan) Dewey, Ginger (Urs) Rengel, Regina (Ira) Rice, Dolores (Tom) Gahan, and Celeste Rice; 16 step- grandchildren and one step-great- grandchild.
He was predeceased by brother William (Billy) Lynch and first wife Helen Brendel Lynch.
Funeral Masses will be celebrated Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Fla., and Monday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection in Rye. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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