of Fayetteville,
October 10, 1921 - November 23, 2020
Mr. Robert Wayne Lents was born October 10, 1921, near Creston, Union County, Iowa to George and Maude Lents. He died November 23, 2020, in the Arkansas residence for Veterans in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Robert was the youngest of seven children.
Robert lived in the Bridgewater, Iowa rural area until 1939 when he enlisted in the United States Navy Submarine Service. In March 1942, he was serving on the USS Perch and on its second war patrol was engaged in the Battle of the Java Sea. The Perch was lost and the crew was in the water until taken prisoner by the Japanese Navy. They were taken to the Island of Celebes and placed in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp at Makassar and was held captive there until toward the end of the war. He was moved to a POW camp in Java where he was until after the end of WWII. He was liberated on September 18, 1945, being held prisoner for 3 years and 7 months. Robert was awarded two (2) Bronze Stars, two (2) Purple Hearts, POW Medal, plus numerous other campaign awards. He received a medical discharge from the US Navy on December 31, 1946, with the rank of Chief Torpedo Man.
Robert married Carolyn Snyder in Greenfield, Iowa on February 1, 1946, to this union three children were born, Brian, Barbara, and Susan. They made their home in Iowa where he farmed and worked for the US Postal Service. After retiring from the US Postal Service, they moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas in 1975.
Robert was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home and a life member of the US Submarine Veterans of World War II, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Survivors of Bataan and Corregidor, Disabled American Veterans, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Twin Lakes Submarine Base of Mountain Home, a Charter Member of the Submarine Veterans POW Survivors Association and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Preceding Robert in death was his wife of 73 years, Carolyn; his parents; six siblings, and two daughters, infant Barbara Lents and Susan Jane Manning. He is survived by son Brian of Montana, grandson Ransom (Stacy) Manning, and five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services to be held at a date to be announced later. Interment private. Arrangements are under the care of Roller Funeral Home. Please visit our online guestbook at rollerfuneralhomes.com.
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4 Condolence(s)
Rita Ament
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
I had the wonderful opportunity to clean there condo every 2-3 weeks. I was always entertained by Bob as he had many stories. I have a lot of wonderful memories with them. Like the time I hung a birthday present for Carolyn on their door at night then pretending to know nothing about it. Carolyn was a kind quiet person who always worried she might have a little dust somewhere, which I found not to be. A great loss to their family as over time I too loved them. Rest In Peace my dear friends. You are now together again!
Shirley Lents
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Robert was a favorite of mine, along with his wife. He had a lot of stories to tell. Such a great guy and a survivor of a POW camp. RIP Robert. You will be missed.
Almayrene Reinthaler
Saturday, December 5, 2020
I truly share in the loss of this great military hero. I met Bob and Carolyn at our local park as we did daily walks together. They were interested in me being I am from Wisconsin and married to a Retired Air Force SAC command man who was handicapped and could not walk at the park. We remained good friends with Carolyn staying at Good Samaritan and then my last visit was with them at Fayetteville as I was trying to get my husband moved there also (to no avail as his needs were too great for their handling). Anyway, it was a wonderful visit with these fine folks and I will never forget them.
My prayers are for Bob to be in the loving arms of our Savior.
Herb Wise
Friday, December 4, 2020
We are so sorry to learn of the passing of this great American hero. He was a very impressive gentleman and my wife and I have fond memories of the times we drove him to Snook Base Meetings. He was over 90 at the time and still very spry. We drove a 1-ton truck and he rejected any help getting in and out of the truck as he "could do it himself"...and he did!
May God rest his soul!