Robert B. Tant, 82 of Oak Harbor, died April 4, 2008 at his home. He was born Sept. 20, 1925 in Tallassee, Ala., to John Edmund and Fay Ruby (Durden) Tant.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, just after his 17th birthday. He went through basic training in San Diego and then entered World War II assigned to the aircraft carrier Wasp. While on a mission in his TBM Bomber on July 4, 1944, his aircraft was shot down off Iwo Jima. He was able to bail out and make his way to the island. He was the first American to arrive on that island, this being seven months before the invasion. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war by the Japanese until the end of the war.

Bob retired from the United States Navy in 1970 after serving a total of 28 years there, garnering three Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, a Congressional POW Medal and many others. He had served in three different wars during his career: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. After his retirement, he worked for the United States Postal Service and retired from there.

On Dec. 11, 1970, he was united in marriage to June Imakita in Los Angeles.

Bob served on the Oak Harbor City Council for a total of eight years starting in 1986. He was an active member of the Fleet Reserve, American Ex-POW Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, boating, and just being outdoors.

Bob is survived by his wife June Tant of Oak Harbor; daughter Linda Tant Miller and husband Dick of Buckley, Wash.; step-daughter Mari Sasaki and husband Jody of Oxnard, Calif.; step-son Wesley Kanamori and wife Kimberly of Irvine, Calif.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters Patricia Reed of Houston, Texas, and Jenny Lumpkin of Opelika, Al.,; nieces and nephews; and beloved dog Ichiro.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son Robert Tant, Jr., and daughter Shelea Thurston.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Burley Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., at a later date. Memorials have been suggested to the National Heart Association. Condolences or personal reflections may be left for the family at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.

Burley Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.