COMING HOME

Date of Separation: 23 December 1946

When Robert returned from Europe, he was stationed at Norman, Oklahoma.

Met Harriet Sieg (age 16) in Dallas in late September or early October, 1945.

Married Oct 16, 1945 at Rockwall, Texas.

Harriett's mother had to sign at wedding.

Couple lived at Norman, Oklahoma (in one room apartment)

Transferred to Rome, New York (early 1946)

In service, until December 23, 1946
Choose to leave service rather than re-deploy with wife

Robert went back to work for Van Norman as salesman for automotive technicians

Harriett returned to Dallas to have a baby, Robbie born April 27, 1947

Harriett moved back to Rome with baby and lived with Robert on Liberty street.

Harriett wanted to return to the South, didn't like weather, Bob travelled all the time; so Bob quit Van Norman and couple moved to back to Dallas -- January, 1948.

Moved onto Garza street in Harriett mother's garage apartment, which they had built so they could return.  Two bedrooms, bathroom, with a kitchen and closet. -- House on Garza built by Harriett's step-father, Edgar Leroy Nesmith in 1938. Harriett lived in her mother's house before the war. E.L. Nesmith died in February 1945, a few months before she married.

Second son, Raymond, born April 21, 1949.

Bought a new house on Nimitz in the summer/fall of 1949.

First daughter, Patricia, born in April 20, 1950.

All this time, Bob was selling grocery store scales for weighing meat (Toledo scales).
When he started, the income was terrible. . . .

Then, in late 1950, Bob went to work for Jerry Smith (wife Lorraine) as market manager cutting meat on Bilbig street in a little ole store that had sawdust floors.

Jerry bought a bigger store, Bob stayed with him. Soon, had several stores (Jerry's).

Jerry bought a big store on Harry Hines in Dallas; then, sold it to Howard Cunningham, and Bob worked for him as market manager until his death.

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Bob had terrible temper; abusive.

Didn't have any control about temper.

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Grandma would take care of kids, Harriett would go to work at Jefferson hotel coffee shop near train station and morning news.

When Robbie went to school, Harriett stayed home.

Harriett went to work for Kroger in 1961.

Robert Oliver died in 1976.