Colonel Robert (Bob) Frederick Tilton, Jr. (Ret.)

April 11, 1947 – November 27, 2020

Bob Tilton, 73, passed away peacefully on November 27 ^th .  While his family loves and misses him, they are comforted that he is now free of the challenges of Parkinson's disease.  His wife, Betty, and father, Bob, Sr., preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Marge Tilton, daughter Michelle Garber, son-in-law Gregory Garber, sister Lisa Patel, brother-in-law Nilesh Patel, brother Kurt Tilton, sister-in-law Patty Tilton, and nieces and nephews.

Bob was born on April 11, 1947 in Omaha, NE, to Robert Frederick Tilton, Sr. and Marjorie Jean (Todd) Tilton. He was raised in Waterloo, NE by his parents and grandparents.  An only child until he was 10, he was an easy child to raise and gave his parents much joy.  Being the oldest of three children, Bob set the bar high for his siblings, referred to sarcastically by them, but with great love and adoration, as "Perfect Bobby."

Bob completed his undergraduate degree in Speech and Drama at Omaha University in 1969, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF) from the ROTC program.  He immediately attended the Maintenance Officers Course at Chanute Air Force Base (AFB), IL.  He then served in Vietnam at the Bien Hoa Air Base (AB) as a Squadron Maintenance Officer with the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing.  This tour of duty was followed by an assignment to the 78 ^th Flying Training Wing at Webb AFB, TX as the Officer in Command of the T-38 "Talon" jet trainer Flightline Maintenance Branch and Propulsion.  This is where he met Betty, and they married on August 17, 1973.

In 1974, Bob became the Maintenance Training Staff Officer at the Air Training Command HQ in San Antonio, where he was responsible for the development of all maintenance training for the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" jet fighter, managing training for the USAF and several allied and foreign air forces.  In 1978, Bob moved to Luke AFB, AZ and the 58 ^th Tactical Training Wing, were he was the Officer in Command of the 311 ^th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. When the 405 ^th Tactical Training Wing was activated, he became the Maintenance Support Staff Officer for the F-4 "Phantom" jet fighters, and later the Assistant Maintenance Operations Officer.  During this assignment, Bob and Betty welcomed daughter, Michelle.  Bob also received his Masters of Procurement from Webster College.

Bob was then selected for the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, graduating in 1981.  He was then selected to manage the Peace Sun F-15 "Eagle" jet fighter Program at King Fahad AB, Saudi Arabia, where he liaised between the contractor and the Royal Saudi Air Force.  Bob returned stateside to be the Commander of the 33 ^rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Eglin AFB, FL.  Following that, he was assigned as the Air Training Command Liaison Officer to the Tactical Air Command Headquarters at Langley AFB, VA.  In 1988 he became the Chief, Operations and Scheduling Division of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk where he had previously graduated.  Before leaving the college, he assumed duties as Associate Professor, Chairman's Chair (JCS) Military Studies.

In 1991 Bob returned to Chanute AFB, IL, this time to command the 3350 ^th Technical Training Group and plan the closure of the base, transferring seven training courses to other centers in TX, MS, and AL.  Bob then moved with his family to Naples, Italy in 1993 to be the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics in AIRSOUTH, a subordinate command of the NATO southern region. Bob returned to the U.S. in 1996 to Ft. Belvoir for his last assignment as Chief, International Programs, for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Bob retired from the USAF in 1999, after 30 years of dedicated service.  At his retirement ceremony, he was described as "the logistician's logistician" for his methodical approach to planning and training.  This rang true for his daughter Michelle, who recalls her dad repeating, "Proper planning prevents piss poor performance!" as she raced to postmark her college applications on time.

During his military career, Bob earned decorations including the following: Bronze Star for outstanding leadership and management to meet maintenance requirements at Bien Hoa AB during the Vietnam War; Air Force Commendation Medal for his work with the T-38 program at Webb AFB; Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his service at the Armed Forces Staff College, including developing curriculum that would become the standard for joint warfighting education; Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters for his accomplishments across six separate assignments.

Following his military career, Bob held several positions as a government contractor at LOGTEC and SAIC. He then returned to DLA as a federal employee before retiring in 2012.

Bob's career offered him and his family the opportunity to travel and experience other people and cultures. As a family they took full advantage of this, and the passion for traveling continued beyond military life.  Domestically, they visited many states including Hawaii and Alaska, and their international travels included Greece, England, Russia, Germany, and Egypt.  Bob was also a car enthusiast, and was very musical, playing the French horn and singing in the church choir.  At home he enjoyed working in the yard and doing home improvements.

Bob was a fantastic husband and father.  He instilled his values in his daughter, Michelle, both through advice and through example.  He told her that when the team is failing, the leader takes responsibility, and when the team is succeeding, the leader gives the team the credit.  This really demonstrates how Bob lived his life, supporting those around him and enjoying in their successes.  He was very kind, optimistic, and picked his battles wisely.  This helped him as he adjusted to life with Parkinson's.  Despite the many challenges he faced, he stayed cheerful, kept his sense of humor, and rarely complained.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 7th from 11-12 at Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg, VA.  A memorial service and interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.