Robert James Belzung, 94, of Fort Smith passed away July 31, 2012, in Fort Smith. He was born Dec. 10, 1917, to Jules Belzung and Jeanette Weidman. They were immigrants from France and his father Jules Belzung built the home at 2224 Tilles Ave. in Fort Smith, where Robert Belzung was born. The home still stands today. About 1921, the family moved to what is now Ballman Elementary School at 1700 S. Greenwood Ave., and purchased property comprising about 20 to 25 acres to be known as Cedar Grove Dairy, or Belzung Dairy. Robert Belzung grew up there assisting, along with his brother and sister, to the daily milking and delivering the fresh bottled milk to the neighborhoods in the area. About 1947, the property was sold to the city and Ballman Elementary School was constructed shortly thereafter. He attended Bell Point and Darby Junior High School. He would walk many miles, having fun on the Poteau River with his childhood friends. Soon after graduating from Fort Smith High School in 1936, Robert Bellzung enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on several ships, including the U.S.S. Hornet, when after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Robert assisted in the rescue and the dreadful removal of U.S. seamen from the damaged and destroyed ships. In April, 1942, he was on the U.S.S. Hornet when Gen. Doolittle's raid on Tokyo was launched and the Battle of Midway was launched in June of 1942. Only during the later years of his life did he relate these life stories. He then met his lovely wife, Fern Littrell Belzung, while on leave in Idaho, where they married and returned in 1948 to reside in Fort Smith and raise their family. They purchased a 30 acre farm in Crawford County and had a multitude of animals and three children to raise. Arose every morning at 4:30 to milk the cows and feed various animals. They made butter, sold the cream from the milk, gathered eggs and still made time to hunt, fish and go swimming at Peevee Houses Ford on Lee Creek. He was employed at Fort Chaffee during the 1950s as a Fire Control Technician at Optic Repair. When Fort Chaffee closed, Robert went back to school to train for his next occupation at Bergstrom Air Force Base, near Austin, Texas. During the height of the Cold War, Robert was assigned to the missile defense at the SAC Command Center at Bergstrom. In 1965, he transferred to Batesville as a Civil Service Inspector at Batesville Manufacturing, where he retired in 1972. He returned to Fort Smith and enjoyed his retirement, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Fern Littrell Belzung of the home; three children, Sharon Louise Stewart and husband Raymond Stewart of Fort Smith, Robert James Belzung Jr. and wife Nelda Dodd Belzung of Bogata, Texas, William Ernest Belzung and wife Salvacion Monta Belzung of Barling; grandchildren, Renee Falloran Belzung of Fort Smith, Andrew Littrell Belzung of Barling, Bobbie Jo Cate and husband Eddie Cate of Dennison, Texas, Moniquie Belzung of Sherman, Texas and Lyle Dodd of Bogata, Texas; a great-grandchild, Taylor Marie Peterson of Dennison, Texas; and a niece, Paula Jones of LaJolla, Calif. Robert Belzung was predeceased by his parents, Jules Belzung and Jeanette Weidman; a grandchild, Stephen Monta Belzung; a brother, Paul Belzung; and a sister, Beatrice Belzung. Graveside service will be at Gracelawn Memorial Park in Van Buren at 9 a.m. Friday. Pallbearers will be Raymond Stewart Sr., Raymond Stewart Jr., Jack Garrett and Dennis Cancel. Visitation is at Lewis Funeral Home in Fort Smith today from 5:30-7 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith.