Remembering Bob Negro

The word patriot is thrown around a lot these days, sometimes with a political slant, depending on the situation.

Bob Negro was a great businessman, a community leader and a patriot. Bob was one of the first people I got to know when Susan and I moved to Lovell in 1984. I would visit with Bob at his store, initially Big Horn IGA and soon the Red Apple Supermarket, and we would talk about a variety of things, from how a grocery store worked to military history.

He loved military history and took great steps to honor veterans, erecting a veterans memorial, a wall of photos, in the store, not because it helped business but because he felt it was the right thing to do. It is in the store to this day, even after an ownership change, respectfully honoring veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice, at the rear of the store for shoppers to look at.

Bob was instrumental in the creation of the downtown veterans memorial park and drove the effort to name the Lovell High School gym after Johnny Winterholler, perhaps the greatest all-around athlete in LHS history and a member of the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame. Johnny survived the brutal Bataan Death March during World War II, perhaps due to his athletic prowess and strong core, plus his indomitable spirit, but he lost the use of his legs for the rest of his life.

Bob organized the ceremony for Johnny in 1985 that included then Congressman Dick Cheney and also honored World War II hero Smith Shumway of Lovell, who lost his eyesight during the war and later led the Wyoming State Services for the Blind for many years.

I well remember that remarkable summer of 1985. Not only did Bob honor Johnny but all vets and one special veteran. Bob wanted to honor Henry Gilbert Jr. of Lovell, the first member of the famous Flying Tigers American Volunteer Group to be shot down and killed in action as the AVG fought against Imperial Japan on behalf of the Republic of China before the USA entered the war in 1941 and after Pearl Harbor, as well. The AVG flew the famous shark nose P-40 Tomahawk fighters, one of which is portrayed on the veterans memorial park mural.

Henry Gilbert was the youngest member of the Flying Tigers when he was shot down on December 23, 1941.

Bob invited members of the Flying Tigers to come to Lovell in honor of Henry Gilbert, and both squadron commander David Lee “Tex” Hill and pilot Noel Bacon were able to attend to honor Henry. A P-51 buzzed Main Street during the parade. Bob organized the event as “Taking Lovell Back to the 40s,” and it was a grand weekend.

Henry Gilbert Sr. was still alive when Bob began planning the event but sadly died before he could see his son honored. The Henry Gilbert Jr. Memorial was erected and dedicated on Main Street in Lovell during the Mustang Days celebration of ’85 and was later relocated to the veterans memorial park.

A veteran himself of the U.S. Navy, Bob did these things out of a strong sense of respect for the service and sacrifice of our military veterans. He did them without political slant and spin, without calling attention to himself and with the help of many others, though he was the leader.

Bob had a strong sense of respect and honor, and his goal was simply to memorialize and honor those who served our country. His military museum in his basement in Sheridan is a treasure trove of military records and memorabilia, and I was blessed to be able to see it with Jim Minchow during a visit to Bob and Carol’s home last summer. Bob showed us his collection with great enthusiasm.

I hope someone can put the material to good use.

Bob lost his own battle on June 22 in Sheridan at age 96 and was laid to rest at the Lovell Cemetery on June 29 with military honors. His was a life of community service and respect for others. Rest in peace, Bob Negro.

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