FAIRWEATHER ROBERT S

COL Robert "Bob" S Fairweather was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 12/10/2015 at the age of 78.6
Tampa, FL
Flight Class 63-1
Date of Birth 04/25/1937
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 200 ASHC in 67-68, HHC 1 AVN BDE in 68, A/101 AVN 101 ABN in 71, B/101 AVN 101 ABN in 71-72, HHC USARV in 72, D/17 CAV in 72
Call signs in Vietnam PACHYDERM, COMMANCHERO 6, SABER 6
This information was provided by Obituary

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: 08/31/2024


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