Robert P. (Bob) Sicard, 85, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 25 with his beloved wife of 57 years, Betty Ruder Sicard by his side in Vero Beach, FL. Born August 31, 1931 in Kankakee, IL, son of William and Blanche Sicard, he lived in Kankakee and graduated from St. Patrick's High School, Class of '49.

At the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he volunteered and was accepted into pilot training. Eighteen months later, he was flying his beloved F-86 Sabre jet in combat. After six years, an aircraft accident and fire ended his flying career. He left the Air Force with the rank of First Lieutenant, having been awarded both the Air Medal and Korean War Medal, to continue his education.

Bob and Betty married in 1959 and relocated to Phoenix, AZ, where he had experienced their beautiful weather while in flight training. Bob graduated from Arizona State University in 1961 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation, he was employed by General Electric Corporation in Syracuse, NY. They soon moved to Daytona Beach, FL, where Bob's duties with GE enabled him to collaborate on the NASA space program. He remained with GE until his retirement in 1992.

Bob is survived by and was very proud of his three children, Michele Venezie (Dr. Ronald), of Cary, NC, Dr. Michael Sicard (Lisa), of Charlotte, NC, and Denise Kenney (Scott) of Vero Beach, and by his beloved wife, Betty, the cornerstone of the family. Surviving family members include ten grandchildren: Maria Stewart and Emily Venezie; Ryan, Jackson, Caroline, and Cameryn Sicard; and Lauren, Jason, Elizabeth, and Amy Kenney; and one great grandaughter, Addison Stewart. Bob also is survived by two sisters, Betty Ciaccio (Tony) of Marion, IL and Julie Caron (Russell) of Adrian, Michigan, and one brother, Jerry Sicard (Chris) of Marion, NC. Bob was preceded in death by a brother, Walter Sicard, and a sister, Mary Maier.

The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at DaVita Indian River Dialysis Center and also VNA Hospice.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at1:00 PM, Friday, December 30, 2016 at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach and Interment and Military Honors will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Fort Pierce.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach and online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com