Ret. Lt. Col. Robert Randolph Ayers Jr.

Ret. Lt. Col. Robert R. Ayres, Jr., of Chestertown, MD, died on Saturday, January 5, 2002, in the Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital, Chestertown, MD, of heart failure. He was 82. Mr. Ayres was born in Chestertown, MD, the son of the late Robert and H. Grace Ayres. Mr. Ayres was a career Marine Corps pilot, flying a SBD bomber flying eighty combat missions. His excellent combat record earned him the honor of being the youngest man in his squadron to command an air division. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and two Air Medals, and he also received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions against a force of Japanese destroyers and after sinking one and scoring several hits and or near misses on others. He was a veteran of the Korean War where he flew a helicopter carrying wounded and supplies. Mr. Ayres retired from active duty in 1963. Following the war he graduated from the University of Maryland in 1960 and had been a supporter of its athletic department by raising money for scholarships. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. While at the University of Maryland, Mr. Ayres was a wrestler and, as a hobby, he became a wrestling coach in the Marine Corps, and his teams won championships on the East Coast as well as the West Coast. Mr. Ayres was the first pilot to land a helicopter at Friendship Airport which is now known as Baltimore Washington International. He was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Eastern Shore Chapter, The Retired Officers Assoc., The Marine Corps. Aviation Assoc., The Sons of the American Revolution, Frank Jarmon American Legion Post # 36, Chestertown, MD. Mr. Ayres was a Vestryman and Senior Warden at the St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Annapolis, MD, for 13 yrs. and was currently an active member of the Shrewsbury Episcopal Church, Kennedyville, MD. Mr. Ayres is survived by his wife of 47 years, Catherine Ford Ayres; a son, Robert R. “Randy” Ayres, III, of Chestertown, MD; two daughters, Catherine Wendt of Ashburn, VA, and Robin Ayres Knepper of Sherman Oaks, CA; and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2002, at 11:00 AM from the Shrewsbury Episcopal church, Kennedyville, MD. Friends and family may call Wednesday evening from 7-9PM at the Fellows Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Rd., Chestertown, MD. Interment with full military honors will follow the services in Shrewsbury cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Shrewsbury Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 187, Kennedyville, MD 21645, attn. Parish Hall Fund.