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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