More detail on this person: Robert L. Riney,
Major (USAF,Ret.),67, passed into the light June 6
in Tucson, Arizona. He was born in Liberal,
Kansas, in 1940; married in 1961; and joined the
Air Force in 1983. After OCS he became a B-52
navigator then attended pilot training and flew
C-141's to SEA. He transitioned to "Super Jolly
Greens" and was in the 21st Special Operations
Squadron at NKP, Thailand 1970-71. During this
service he was awarded 2 DFC's, 3 Air Medals, 4
Meritorious Service Medals, and an AF
Commendation Medal. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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From 1976-80 while on active duty he provided
unstinting support and encouragement to his wife
while she attended medical school.
After retiring in 1983 he joined the Pima County
Arizona Sheriffs Auxiliary Volunteers and won
"Volunteer of the Year" award four times. Health
problems forced him to give up the work but not
his loyalty to this group of dedicated people.
He is survived by wife Elizabeth Jane, M.D., son
Rob, daughter Laurie, three grandsons, a large
extended family and many friends. He is
loved,missed, and admired for his service to
family, community, and country. His was a life
well-lived.
From: Elizabeth Jane Riney
While Elizabeth was in med school in San Antonio,
Texas, Bob was the director of the Flight
Screening Program at Hondo Municipal Airport
(Circa 1977-81) under the command of the USAF
Officer Training Program. I was his director of
flight operations from '78-81. We shared a common
"Hail and Farewell" when Elizabeth graduated and
he retired.
I will miss his presence in this world.
From: Jack T. Thornton, Major, USAF Retired