The following articles  are from the Appleby Heritage Newsletter, October 1983.

     On any Sunday afternoon the driveway, at the home of Bob and Lil Appleby, could use a traffic controller,

while a first time visitor, upon entering their home must wonder what convention is being held there.  The

warm and friendly atmosphere draws family and friends of every age.  A perpetual gathering of the clan.

   During the years of World War II, a small banner with four blue stars hung in the front window of the

California home of Claude and Lona Appleby , denoting that four of their six sons were in the service of

their country.  One star was for their eldest son, Robert Carson Appleby, one of General Clair Chennault's

Flying Tigers, the famed group of airmen based in China.

    At war's end, Bob returned home to Fresno, California.  His Air Medals, Purple Heart and Asiatic

Theater of War ribbon with Bronze Stars were put aside, as he turned his attention to the development of

several hundred acres of vineyards.  The vineyards are now among the very finest in California'sSan Joaquin

Valley.

   Bob married Lillian Ashjian, daughter of Arshan and Esque Ashjian.  They have two married daughters,

Pamela and Betsy and five grandchildren.

Appleby Heritage Newsletter

April 1984

In Memory

   Robert Carson Appleby died February 18, 1984, in Fresno, California, after a lengthy illness. He is

survived by his wife, Lillian, daughters Mrs. Jock (Pamela) Millspaugh, Mrs. Robert (Betsy) Rockwell, his

Mother, five brothers and five grandchildren.  A biographical vignette appeared in the October 1983 Appleby

Newsletter.

   The following paragraphs, excerpts from a Eulogy delivered by Roger Tatarian, director of United Press

International (retired),  expresses the devotion people felt for Bob.

    "It is not given to many to leave behind the legacy that is being left behind by Bob Appleby.  He touched

the lives of countless people during his sixty-five years and I am sure that most of them would use the very

same words to describe him, to say that he was the kindest and gentlest of men.  His was the kindness that

embraced every quality inherent in the word kind.  He was considerate.  He was unselfish.  He was thoughtful.

He was caring.

   Others might have been overcome with self-pity had they been subject to Bob Appleby's final ordeal, his

loss of vision.  Not Bob.  He asked no sorrow for himself.

   I cannot help thinking of some lines from Shakespeare.  They are not lines that I would apply to very many,

but they were, I think, written for Bob Appleby, too.  I would like to say them for Bob as my own farewell

salute:  'Goodnight, sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'.

   Robert Carson Appleby will be honored in a memorial service, conducted by the Flying Tigers Association

at Arlington National Cemetery in May 1984.

Newspaper Obituary

   Services for Robert Carson Appleby, 65, of Fresno, a member of General Claire Chennault's Flying Tiger

Squadron during World War II and a longtime Kerman area farmer, will be held at noon Wednesday in the

Lisle chapel.  Burial will be in Fresno Memorial Gardens.  Mr. Appleby died Saturday.

  Before beginning his 30 year farming career, he worked as a deputy in the Fresno County Sheriff's Depart-

ment.  He was active in community affairs in the Kerman area, serving as a member of the boards of trustees

and as board president of Sun-Empire Elementary School and of Kerman High School.  

   Surviving are his wife, Lillian; two daughters, Pamela Millspaugh and Betsy Rockwell, both of Fresno; his 

mother, Lona Appleby of Fresno; five brothers, William of San Francisco, James and Gene of Fresno, Joseph

of Aptos, and Donald of Orange and five Grandchildren.

   Visitation will be until 7 p.m. Tuesday and until noon Wednesday.