More detail on this person: Robert B. Runyan,
age 68, Ft. Worth, Texas, died January 6, 2012.
He was born October 25, 1943, at Kansas City,
MO, the son of Ward Boyd and Bernice Allene
Runyan. He attended Louisburg Elementary school
through the fifth grade. His family then moved to
Paola, Kansas, where he graduated from Paola
High School in 1961. Bob was active in school
activities, lettering three years in football
while also playing in the band. He graduated from
Pittsburgh State College in 1965. He was a
Distinguished Military Student (DMS) via ROTC,
receiving a regular Army commission instead of
being a reserve officer. During his college
years, he served as president of the Sigma Tau
Gamma Fraternity.
He entered the Army as a 2nd lieutenant in January
of 1966, graduating from the Armored Officers
Basic Course then completed his training and
graduated from the U. S. Army Helicopter Flight
School. He served in Vietnam during 1967-68 as a
platoon leader in A Company, 229th Assault
Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division.
He was awarded several decorations including the
Bronze Star, air medal with twenty clusters, and
numerous campaign medals. His beloved call sign
as a Vietnam helicopter pilot was "Hacksaw 16."
His former flight commander, Col. Eugene Beyer,
now retired, described Bob Runyan as a pilot who
demonstrated character and leadership during the
rigors of combat. He posed this question about
Bob, "Where do we get men of this metal?" Bob
was known to volunteer for any missions available.
Upon leaving active duty as a captain, he remained
in the Texas National Guard flying with the 536th
(Hook Masters) Aviation Company in command of a
CH Chinook Helicopter platoon. He also served in
the G-2 Intelligence group as a staff officer to
the Texas Adjutant General, retiring as a major.
After military service, he worked as a medical
supply salesman. Thereafter, he was founder and
partner in United Medical Supply Co. of Worth,
Texas, which had branches in TX, OK and NM.
After semi-retiring, he formed Gammon
Technologies, a computer company he ran for 12
years. His last years were spent teaching history
at various federal correction facilities. He
remained a member of the Vietnam Helicopter
Pilots Association.
He is survived by his sister, Ann Miranda, and her
husband, Francis; also one niece, Sara Miranda
and two nephews, Sam and Bill Miranda.
Viewing and visitation were held at the
Roberson-Mueller-Harper Funeral Home in Ft.
Worth, TX, on 12 January, 2012. His family
received friends and his funeral was held on
Tuesday, 17 January, 2012, at the First Christian
Church in Louisburg, Kansas. Masonic services
were performed and full military graveside
services were paid in tribute to a brave and
dedicated soldier. Services were under the
direction of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Memorial
contributions may be given to the VFW Post 3712,
200 W. Delaware St., Paola, KS, 66071 or to the
Louisburg Library District # 1.
Burial information: Louisburg Cemetery, Louisburg, KS
This information was last updated 05/05/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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