Robert D. Chatt, 93, of Tekamah, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at the Golden Living Center in Tekamah.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tekamah. Interment will be in the Tekamah Cemetery with military honors by VFW Bataan Post No. 3304 and American Legion LaFrenz Post No. 15.

Robert Don "Bob" Chatt was born Dec. 18, 1917, in Tekamah, to Stephen and Ruby (Palen) Chatt. He graduated from Tekamah High School in 1935 and then enrolled at the University of Nebraska, where he lettered in swimming, was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and graduated with an economics degree in 1940.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on March 17, 1941, and became a pilot. He received his wings in November 1941 from Maj. Jimmy Doolittle at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas.

As a B-25 Bomber pilot, he flew 64 missions in the South Pacific and received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem and the American Defense Service Medal. He returned to the U.S. in 1943 and was sent to Command and General Staff School and Air Force Staff School.

On Oct. 28, 1944, he married Elaine Tobin while in Tampa, Fla., where he was stationed at 3rd Air Force Headquarters.

His last military assignment was to the U.S. Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In 1946, he was honorably discharged with the rank of major.

In 1946, Mr. and Mrs. Chatt returned to Tekamah and he began his career as a farmer and dairyman. They lived on a farm northwest of Tekamah.

He was active in his community and served on the Tekamah-Herman School Board, Burt-Washington Drainage Board and local Coop boards. He was a member of VFW Bataan Post No. 3304 and American Legion LaFrenz Post No. 15. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, boating, and playing bridge. He was also a skilled woodworker and avid reader.

After retirement, the Chatts enjoyed winters in the south, especially Florida, and traveling abroad. Throughout his lifetime, he loved nothing more than to be surrounded by family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Elaine, of Tekamah; four children, Susan and Bill Langley, Stephen and Kathy Chatt, all of Tekamah, Judy and Bob Raue of Carroll, Iowa, John and Candy Chatt of Coos Bay, Ore; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Loyd Oleson of Crete; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marguerite and Dorothy Chatt; brothers, Jim, Orville and infant brother, John.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic Church Building Fund and the Tekamah Public Library.

Pelan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.