PORTLAND – Robert H. McCreery, 88, of 321 E. High St., Portland, passed away Oct. 13, 2013, in the Persimmon Ridge Healthcare, Portland. He was born Sept. 11, 1925, in Muncie, to Herman and Margaret McKinley McCreery. On Dec. 21, 1947, he married Helen Brown, who survives. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a metallurgical engineer at Teledyne Portland Forge, retiring in 1990. He was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Muncie Burris High School in 1943, and he earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, life member of American Society Mechanical Engineers, life member of American Society Metals, licensed professional engineer, trustee at ASM International, Fellow ASM International, past president of Portland Rotary Club and Rotary Foundation, Paul Harris Rotary Fellow, former Portland city councilman, Stephen Minister, member of American Legion Post 211, member of Scottish Rite and Jay Lodge 87 F&AM, Cincinnatus League Hall of Fame Lifetime of Services recipient, Who’s Who in Engineering, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Indiana Lives, International Biography and Engineers of Distinction, author of several technical articles including “Non Destructive Case Depth Measurements and Effects of Reduction on Strand Cast Steel.” He was a heart transplant recipient on Feb. 14, 1990. Also surviving are two daughters, Ann McCreery Oswalt, Hartford City, and Sarah Brown McCreery, Warsaw; a brother, James McCreery, Brandon, Miss.; and two grandchildren, Courtney Oswalt and Scott Wappes. Services will be at a later date. Baird-Freeman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials to the Robert and Helen McCreery Scholarship Fund through the Portland Foundation. Condolences may be sent via www.bairdfreeman.com
