More detail on this person: Col. Robert Scobie
Fairweather (U.S. Army, retired), age 78, died on
Dec. 10, 2015 in Destin. He is survived by his
loving wife of 55 years, Tommy. Other survivors
include his two children, Robert and Elizabeth;
his five grand-children, Ethan, Danielle, Aaron,
Zane and Marlina; and his brothers, James, David,
Richard and Clifford. Col. Fairweather (Bob) was
born in San Diego, California, to Robert and
Jessie Fairweather, now deceased. As a military
brat, he lived on numerous USMC and Navy
facilities and became acclimated to military life.
Thus it was natural that he attended and graduated
from the United States Military Academy in 1960.
Shortly thereafter, he made the best decision of
his life and married Thomas Anderson (who was
named for her grandfather and called Tommy for
obvious reasons). Together, they set out on the
rough road of military life, surviving the many
hardships through grit, determination and love.
Bob served in the Army for 25 years. He was
trained as an artillery officer, and subsequently
as an Army aviator. Assigned to a variety of
tactical and headquarters commands, he served in
command and staff positions to include: Pentagon
staff; command of an artillery battalion; and
command of three combat aviation units in Vietnam
(two tours) and in an aviation unit in Korea. He
was a graduate of the Army Command and General
Staff Course and the Air Force Air War College.
During his service he was awarded the Legion of
Merit; the Distinguished Flying Cross; two Bronze
Stars; numerous combat Air Medals; Master Army
aviator wings; the Parachute badge; and other
awards. Also, Bob earned a Master of Science
Degree from the University of Southern California
and authored numerous articles, some of which
received awards, on military tactics and doctrine.
Bob had a great enthusiasm for life and loved his
family. He wrote several books just to see if he
could, and painted numerous pictures for the same
reason. He was an avid sportsman, especially as a
fisherman and boater; and he continued flying
after retirement for the love of it. He was a born
mechanic and builder. He also believed in and
practiced physical fitness. His other interests
included history, all areas of science, art,
nature, humor and problem solving. Bob and
Tommy had a powerful and complementary
relationship based on strong bonds of mutual love,
trust and sense of partnership. Where one was
weak, the other was strong and they were the
epitome of a team. Funeral services and interment
will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at
a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions can be made to E. O. Wilson
Biophilia Center, 4956 State Hwy 20 East,
Freeport, FL 32439. Heritage Gardens Funeral
Home of Niceville have been entrusted with the
arrangements.
Funeral Home Heritage Gardens Funeral Home &
Cemetery
2201 N Partin Dr Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-1955
Published Online in Northwest Florida Daily News
on Dec. 12, 2015
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 09/20/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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