Robert Ernest Parker, age 80, resident of 20629 Hill Road, Saegertown, PA, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Edinboro Manor, Edinboro, PA, surrounded by his family. Born on April 5, 1934 in Homeville, PA, Robert was a son of the late Norman Roderick Parker and Mildred Ernestine Rutter Parker. He married the former Sue Ellen Drake on March17, 1971 and she survives.
As a youth, Robert spent many enjoyable summers at the farm of his uncle, Wilbert Rutter in Venango, PA. After graduating from McKeesport High School in McKeesport, PA , where he was on the varsity baskrtball team. He enlisted as an airman with the USAF in 1953. Trained as a pilot, Robert had various assignments as an instructor and evaluator pilot of the KC-135 tanker pilot program including two tours of duty in Vietnam where he provided combat air refueling support. In 1972, he served a third tour flying a B57G fighter/bomber. In 1973, Robert returned to the United States where he was stationed at KI Sawyer AF Base, Michigan as Deputy Commander of maintenance. During the years of 1974 – 1978, Robert was posted overseas as Deputy Commander of maintenance at RAF Bentwaters, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom where he attained the rank of Colonel.
Robert then served as the Director of Logistics at the Pentagon, Washington, DC and retired from the military in 1979. Robert as a civilian enjoyed a 21 year career from 1980 until 2000 for the City of Wichita Falls, Texas as Director of Traffic, Transportation, and Aviation. After 2000, for several years, Robert and his wife, Sue Ellen, traveled the country showing their Pinto and Painted horses from their family farm in Burkburnett, Texas. They recently moved to Saegertown, PA to be closer to family.
Robert was a life member of the Order of the Daedalians, the VFW, the American Legion, the Military Officers Association of America, the Texas Municipal League Association, Pilot Training Class 55K, 13th Bomb Squadron Association, 354th Bomb Group, as well as the Pinto Horse Association Of America.
In addition to his wife, Sue Ellen, Robert is survived by a daughter – Kim Loren Lott of Brevard, NC; a son – Kyle Adrian Parker and his wife, Deborah of North Canton, OH; and five grandchildren – Alex Lott, Megan Lott, Chris Parker, Nick Jack Parker, and Gabe Parker. Additionally, Robert is survived by numerous cousins including – Laura Rutter Merritt and her husband, Roy of Venango, Paul Rutter and his wife, Kathy of Venango, and Carol Rutter and her husband, Bernard. He was preceded in death by his younger brother – William N. Parker.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs, PA on Saturday, February, 14th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow at Venango Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Sue..so sorry to learn about Bob. You have our deepest sympathies from his cousins..Jill, Kathy and Liz Parker
Sue Ellen,
We were so sorry to hear the sad news! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at
this difficult time. May God hold you in His arms and give you peace and guidance.
Sue Ellen,
I was so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing away. Just know you and the family are in my prayers and thoughts. He will be greatly missed.
Bob will be missed greatly by all who knew him along with all his stories. Wish we could have been there but were in spirit. God bless you Sue Ellen and all his family.
Sue and Family,
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing.
I always enjoyed visiting with him when he would come to Berend Bros in Wichita Falls.
It was always a pleasure to speak with him as our conversations were both interesting and entertaining. He was certainly well liked and respected.
John Landrum
so saddened to hear of Roberts death. I always enjoyed him coming in to Berend Brothers in Wichita Falls. my condolences to the family.
John Landrum
Berend Brothers
Wichita Falls, Tx
Sue I was so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We worked together on some joint City/County ventures. You will be in y thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to read of Bob’s passing. I worked at the City of Wichita Falls while he was there. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sue and all the family. Bob was quite a guy, and will be missed by many.
Bob and I were great friends and also rivals in Pilot Training Class 55-K at Bainbridge Georgia. Both being from PA we sort of convinced the other Cadets that we Joined the USAF so we didn’t have to work in the Coal Mines. We had the same Instructor for those 6 grueling months of Flying Training and were in the same Academic classes together always trying to outdo each other. We were near the top of our 55-K Class in both Academics and Flying and were selected to be Cadet Captains. As I recall the Cadets were in charge of the base which was staffed by civilians including the Instructors. I was the Group Adjutant and Bob was a Squadron Commander. The second and third highest Ranks on the base. So you can see Bob was excelling from the very beginning of his impressive career in the USAF.
It was like leaving a Brother when we moved on from Bainbridge AFB; Bob went to Multi-engine and I went to Fighters for our Basic Training then Graduation in March 1955. We stayed in touch all these years ( 62 now ) through Reunions and lately e-mail. I missed Him then and I will miss him even more so now that He is gone to peaceful rest.
May God Keep him at the Head of His Class and Shower Blessings upon his Family and loved ones. Our sympathy and Prayers we send to you Sue and to all of Bob’s Family. I regret that I am unable to attend the Funeral.
Fondly – Chuck Jackwood
If the service is such and you wish – I agree that this can be read to the Gathering.
Our prayers and sympathies go out to you Sue Ellen and your family at this sad time. Your husband accomplished many things and will be sorely missed.
Very sorry for your loss, Sue Ellen. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family
We wish you comfort in your time of loss. Robert had a full life and accomplished many things. Our sympathies go out to you Sue Ellen and to the rest of your family.
Dear Sue and Family,
Sorry I can’t be at the service on Saturday, but my wife and I are in Florida for the winter.
We will be remembering you in our prayers. I am one of the younger cousins, and I have great memories of Uncle Jake and Aunt Millie in their home in Dravosburg. Bob was about 8 years older than me, but I have good memories of him. Our sympathies to each of you.