A longtime Oxford Village resident who served and defended his country for two decades in the fights against Fascism and Communism, then kept an eye on things in his community by attending government meetings has passed away.

Robert Lee Scott Jr. died on July 19, 2019. He would have celebrated his 92nd birthday on Aug. 20.

After moving from Clarkston to Oxford in 1987, Scott and his wife Geraldine (Jeri, for short), began regularly attending village council meetings to learn more about their new hometown.

Councilwoman Maureen Helmuth, who was employed by the village from 1986 to 2008 and has served as an elected official since 2009, appreciated Scott’s involvement and the way he conducted himself.

“He always had an opinion and he stated it,” she said. “He wasn’t mean if he disagreed with you. He was always a gentleman. He kept up with the news. He knew what was going on in the village. He was a great resident.”

Former village President Sue Bossardet, who served on council from 1994 to 2001 and again from 2013-18, found it encouraging to look out from the dais and spot Scott and his wife sitting there.

“It reassured me that people cared, that people wanted to come and hear what was going on and participate (in their local government),” she said. “It just always made me feel good to see him in the audience.”

Like Helmuth, Bossardet said Scott wasn’t shy about sharing his views and whenever he did, his words were honest and fair.

“He always spoke his mind,” she said. “He was quick to criticize, but he was generous with his praise when it was warranted.”

Bossardet affectionately described Scott as “a crusty, short, old man who had a heart of gold.”

“I’m very honored and proud that I could call him a friend,” she said.

Village Police Chief Mike Solwold appreciated Scott for his ability to not see people with differing viewpoints as enemies. He said Scott would tell you his opinion, then listen to yours and if the two weren’t in sync, he never uttered a harsh word or held a grudge.

“If he didn’t agree with you, he was polite about it,” Solwold said.

“He believed it’s OK to agree to disagree and I think we need more of that,” the chief said. “I’m going to miss him.”

After council passed a proclamation honoring Scott for his 90th birthday in 2017, he told the Leader he “can’t understand why” so few people attend the meetings.

“They’re not that busy that they can’t come by for an hour or even a half-hour,” Scott said. “I believe it’s important to find out what’s going on in the village. If things happen to be going the wrong way, speak your piece and try to get it changed.”

Seventy-five years ago, much of the world was “going the wrong way” and Scott did more than just speak his piece. He stood up, took action and put his life on the line.

In 1944, at the age of 17, Scott enlisted in U.S. Navy and fought in the Pacific Theater against Imperial Japan. He served aboard a Landing Ship, Tank (LST), a vessel created by the Allies during World War II to support amphibious operations by transporting vehicles, supplies and troops, then landing them directly on shore without the use of docks or piers.

Scott participated in the 1945 amphibious invasions of two Japanese islands, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The latter was the largest amphibious landing in the Pacific Theater.

During both assaults, Scott operated a 36-foot-long landing craft filled with troops. His job was to get them to the beaches safely and drop them off.

When the war was over, instead of returning to civilian life, Scott decided to build a career in the navy.

Within a few years, he found himself once again sailing into a war zone. When the Korean War erupted in 1950, the light cruiser that Scott was serving aboard left the Mediterranean Sea and headed for the first armed conflict of the Cold War.

Over the years, he served aboard a number of ships including the USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Barry (DD-933), USS Worcester (CL-144), USS Columbus (CA-74), USS Helena (CA-75) and USS Albany (CA-123).

Scott retired from the navy in 1965 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His title was Chief Boatswain’s Mate.

Boatswain’s Mate is one of the oldest enlisted ratings in the navy that’s still in use today. It dates back to the 1700s and those who do the job are valued for their versatility. According to the navy, Boatswain’s Mates “are the lifeblood of the ship” as they “keep everything safe and operational.”

Following the navy, Scott went to work for General Motors handling security duties for more than 20 years.

Both Helmuth and Bossardet see Scott as a fine example of what has come to be known as The Greatest Generation, those who grew up during the Great Depression, then helped win WWII by serving in the military and working in factories on the homefront.

“He’s the reason they called it The Greatest Generation,” said Helmuth, who always affectionately referred to Scott as “The Admiral.”

“He served in the military . . . took care of his family (and) had a great job. He was a good, hard-working man.”

In Scott, Bossardet saw a reflection of The Greatest Generation’s humility.

“They didn’t toot their own horns,” Bossardet said. “They didn’t look for praise and they didn’t expect praise. They just went about (their business) and did their job and lived their life. There’s a lot to be said for that.”

To Solwold, Scott’s greatness stemmed not only from the generation that he was a part of, but from the “very kind” way he treated others on a person-to-person level.

“He always wanted to know how you were doing (and) how people were treating you,” the chief said. “He took the time (to chat).”

Solwold appreciated that so much.

“I’d like to see more of that. It’s very rare,” he said. “Whenever I saw Bob . . . you just knew it was going to be a pleasant (experience). (He was) just an easy guy to talk to . . . and (you knew the conversation was) going to end well. I like that.”

Scott is survived by his wife Jeri (the couple would have celebrated their 65th anniversary in November); children Rob (Amy) and Mike (Jan); and sisters-in-law Jenny Creech and Gwen (Tom) Reid.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 26 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home (5929 S. Main St.) in Clarkston. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 27 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion. It will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Interment with military honors will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly on Monday, July 29 at 9:30 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Messages and condolences can be sent via the online guestbook at www.wintfuneralhome.com.