SOUTHBURY – Lt. Col. Robert Holger Janson (U.S. Air Force, retired), 89, peacefully entered into eternal rest Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, surrounded by family at Danbury Hospital after a brief illness.
Lt. Col. Janson was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Bridgeport. He was the son of the late Holger Janson and Edith (Olson) Janson of Fairfield. He was married to the late Ann (Lapoles) Janson for 54 years.
Bob was raised in Fairfield and graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1946, and the University of Bridgeport with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1950. He entered the U.S. Air Force as an aviation cadet and later became a B-29 Superfortress radar observer in 1952.
In 1953 he was stationed in Yokota, Japan, as part of the 98th Bomber Wing, 345th Bombardment Squadron. He and his flight crew flew 15 missions during the Korean War with Distinguished Unit Citation.
He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal during his military career. He remained on active duty until 1955 and in the Air Force Reserves until 1980, retiring with 28 years of military service.
After active military service he went on to own and operate Nordic Tool, Die & Manufacturing Co., and was a partner in Maple Tool & Die Co., both in Bridgeport. He also spent a number of years in tool and die sales.
In 1972, he relocated to Southbury and later owned and operated the Spirits of 67 and Star Spangled Deli businesses in Oxford. He also worked as a real estate broker prior to his retirement in 1996. He then relocated to Bradenton, Fla., in 1997 and then back to Southbury in 2013.
Bob was an avid sportsman and fan. Anywhere sports were Bob was. In his younger academic years in both high school and university, he excelled at basketball, baseball, swimming, soccer and golf.
Golf was his lifelong pastime and passion. He was a member of Heritage Village Country Club in Southbury and Tara Golf and Country Club in Bradenton. He won the outstanding fan award from Pomperaug High School in 1987 for supporting copious sporting events anywhere they were competed.
He especially liked supporting his sons’ athletic endeavors and would never miss an event. He participated in the Elks Club, YMCA swimming, was a paperboy, lifeguard, boat owner, Indian Guide, Cub Scout, Webelos/Boy Scout leader, bowling leagues, golf leagues, poker and bingo.
He instilled in his sons and grandchildren a sense of responsibly, morality and a spirit of competition that has carried them all to be successful in their chosen careers.
Flying was a passion of Bob’s and he obtained his commercial pilot’s license and flew many flights privately with friends and family, and flew privately chartered flights around New England.
Bob loved a cappella singing. During his younger years he was part of barbershop quartets and school and university choruses. In later years, during his retirement, he was part of the Chorus of the Keys in Sarasota, Fla., for many years. During his tenure with the Chorus of the Keys, they won the national section title and competed in the national championships in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bob’s loving spirit lives on within his three sons, David and his wife, Camille, of Annapolis, Md., Rob and his wife, Ali, of Mullumbimby, Australia, and Kurt and his wife, Tina, of Middlebury. Bob also leaves four grandchildren, Janine, David, Leif and Mia.
He will be missed by his nephew and nieces, Dan Zokas, Lisa Zokas Kindy and Wallace (Zokas) Hamel.
Bob was predeceased by his daughter, Karen.
Friends and relatives may call on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 9:45 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St. South, Southbury. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Church. Burial service will be held immediately after the memorial service at Lawncroft Cemetery, 1740 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield.
To leave an online condolence, visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.
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