Robert John Light

Robert J. Light (Bob)

Bob left us suddenly on November 9, 2022 at his home. He was born January 11, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York to Joseph and Rose Light. Rose was originally from Sicily and Joseph from Ireland. Bob spent his early years in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, NY attending public and Catholic schools. Eager to make a few bucks, he and his twin brother Richard started working at 10 years old delivering supplies for the Fuller Brush man to walk up apartment buildings and sliding down banisters for pocket change tips every week. Bob was a hard worker and had high standards to do the job right.

After working at the corner candy store in his teens, and at Robert Bosch assembling machine parts for high end cars, Bob enlisted in the US Air Force to serve in the Vietnam War. Post basic training, his one-year tour was in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam in 1968/69 keeping the planes ready to go. And, for an extra $50 a month flight pay, he volunteered to pick up body bags & drop supplies to combat areas. The plane came back looking like swiss cheese.

Upon returning to the States, Bob finished his four-year enlistment at Dover Air Force Base then transitioned to private sector employment as a foreman at Delmar Ford Tractor repairing and painting farm equipment. Bob re-enlisted as an Active-Duty Reservist and shortly after a Civil Service job at DAFB opened up in the same shop. He worked at the Fuel Cell and ISO dock shops on the C5 Cargo planes. He achieved various leadership positions and cash awards in both AF Reserves and Civil Service and retired in 2009 as a Sr. Master Sergeant and WL10, respectively, after 30 yrs.

Bob thrived on being physically fit and loved the outdoors. As a kid in New York, money was tight, but he and buddies played whatever they could find, like stick and stoop ball and occasionally sneaking onto nearby golf courses and basketball courts. As an adult he could still whip younger servicemen in combat boots playing horseshoes, basketball and ping pong. He believed in doing every job right and cutting up with folks in spare time.

His second passion, music, began as a youth with 45 records on the drop cylinder box player and continued through life to his retreat room for some quality listening time on five star equipment.

Robert is survived by his wife, Gail Light, of 38 years, his fraternal twin brother Richard Light (Milida) of Bayville, Long Island, a sister, Barbara Delitta (Tony) of Bronxville, many cousins, nieces and nephews, all in New York. He also leaves behind his wife’s children, Eve Coleman, James Brown and Peggy Snowden (James) and their children, Tiffany, Jace, Peyton, Gillian, Lennon and Victoria, all living in Dover, Delaware. They loved their stepfather and pop pop. Bob and Gail were true movie buffs collecting award winners. They were fortunate to be able to travel near and far.

He is predeceased by his parents, many aunts and uncles, one sister, Judith Rotolo and her late husband, Joe, of New York and many military friends.

A Celebration of Life (no viewing) will take place Friday, November 18, 2022, 2 pm at Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming, DE; where friends may call starting at 1 pm. The family has requested no flowers be sent.  Share a memory at www.pippinfuneralhome.com