Obituaries : * Robert Earl Sankovich; Decorated Officer, Pilot

Robert Earl Sankovich, a decorated World War II pilot, retired airline captain and longtime Thousand Oaks resident, died Saturday after a monthlong illness. He was 73.

Born in Michigan, Sankovich had lived in Ventura County 31 years and was active in the Thousand Oaks community.

Tom Vlachos of Thousand Oaks, who became friends with Sankovich when they were stationed in southern Italy during the war, said Sankovich flew 50 missions with the 463rd Bomb Squadron, also known as the “Swoose Group.”

Sankovich piloted a four-engine Boeing B-17. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight and received the Air Medal 10 times, Vlachos said.

He was active as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve and was also a member of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, a military officers group with a link to NATO.

In addition, he belonged to the Retired Officers Assn. and Toastmasters and was a past president of the Optimist Club.

A fan of Big Band music, Sankovich played saxophone for a local senior citizens swing group. He also was a WWII aircraft artist and a caricaturist.

Deborah Sankovich, one of his daughters, said her father was a bon vivant who liked to draw caricatures for friends, acquaintances and airline and Air Force publications.

“He loved to travel,” she said. “Instead of a camera, he would take a sketch pad and do caricatures of the people he met.”

He is survived by his daughters, Deborah of Chatsworth, Nicole of San Francisco and Carol of West Hollywood; sons Robert M. and Toby (James); a granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews.

A vigil is planned from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village.

Services will be at noon Wednesday at St. Paschal Baylon Church, 155 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, with the Rev. Sean de Lannoy officiating. Burial will follow at Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Optimist Club Boys Ranch, Box 54, Newbury Park, Calif. 91320.