08/29/2026
Bob was born in Maryville, MO, and grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. His father was a small-town newspaper editor, and as his career grew, the family moved to larger towns in Missouri, Georgia, and North Carolina. Bob and his younger brother, Fred, both graduated from high school in Concord, NC, and had careers in the military. Bob enlisted in the Air Force in 1948 and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY from 1952 to 1956, lettering in pistol and debate. After graduation, he served as both an Army Infantry Officer and Intelligence Officer from 1956 until his retirement in 1982. He also graduated from Army Airborne, Ranger, and Pathfinder military training. Bob’s first assignment was as an Infantry r***e platoon leader in Munich, Germany, where he met Frankalee Richard, a native of Colorado. They were married 59 years until her death in 2016. They are survived by four children and their spouses: David and Sharon Hull, Lianne and Mark Griffin, Robin and Pete Antzoulatos, and Helen and Frank Watt. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to three years in Germany, Bob served two years in Vietnam and a year in Taiwan. Bob served as a company commander with the Airborne school cadre in Ft. Benning, GA, and a tactical officer for cadets at West Point and the Air Force Academy. He earned a Master’s degree in Personnel Management from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. He served on the Army General Staff at the Pentagon and the Defense Intelligence Agency. His military decorations include two Legions of Merit, a Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Ranger tab, and numerous other medals and unit citations.
Bob was an active member and volunteer at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale, VA for over 50 years (1969-2020), serving as an adult Sunday School class leader for most of those years. He also chaired the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and the Administrative Board, and was a greeter, usher, and teller. He prepared weekly meals for the hungry over decades, donated over 100 pints of blood, and served in many other capacities. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, woodworking, and reading. He will be interred with his wife at West Point in the fall.
