Robert R. "Bob" Reed

Robert R. Reed

1932-2020

Robert “Bob” Reed left this world to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, April 23, 2020.  He was surrounded by the love of his family when he passed.  

Bob was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Robert M. Reed and Euzena Waters Reed. He graduated from Short High School in Liberty, Indiana in 1950 and Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1954 where he played basketball for the Butler Bulldogs.

Colonel Reed began his military career in pilot training at Malden, Missouri in 1954 and received his pilot wings at Greenville, Mississippi, in 1955.  His first assignment was with the 3505th Pilot Training Group, Greenville AFB, where he served as an instructor for three years.  His 30 year military career included three overseas assignments to Japan, England and Panama. He was a command pilot with more than 4500 flying hours including 100 combat missions flown in the F-105 over North Vietnam, in 1966. Upon returning to the United States, Colonel Reed was assigned to the Armament Development and Test Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, where he held positions as flight commander and center assistant chief of staff.  While at Eglin AFB, he also served as a conventional munitions test pilot, flying the F-100, F-4, F-105 and A-37 aircraft.  His last assignment was Nellis AFB where he served as the commander of the 554th Operations Support Wing and where he had the opportunity to fly the A-10 with the Fighter Weapons School.  His military decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters. 

After retiring from the United States Air Force, Bob attended the University of Texas in Austin, Texas and earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling.  Upon graduation, he was employed at the University of North Texas from 1986-1996. He  developed and directed the Emergency  Administration and Planning Institute, the only undergraduate, resident Emergency Administration program in the country at that time. In 2005, Bob and Kay moved to Crestview, FL.  

Bob leaves behind a loving family including his devoted wife of 65 years, Kay Ephlin Reed, two daughters Leslie Parker and Angela Van Diver and her husband  Charles Van Diver,  three grandchildren Melissa Salter, Daniel Parker and Courtney Parker, and one great granddaughter, Selah Salter. 

Bob was a man of service.  Service to his Lord and Savior, service to his country and service to his family and community.  He was a committed mentor, teacher, leader, and faithful servant.  Over the years he enjoyed sports, fitness, golf, boating and basketball.  He was a faithful Butler Bulldogs fan.  Bob loved to read and he enjoyed clockmaking and repair.

Our family is eternally grateful to the caregivers of Covenant Care Hospice and Home Instead for their compassion and care during these particularly challenging and difficult times.

A small family service was held April 29th at the Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home.  Thank you to our church family and friends who were there to honor Bob and show their love and support for his family. 

Expressions of sympathy and love may be submitted and viewed online at www.whitehurstpowell.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bob’s memory to First Baptist Church of Crestview, P.O.Box  2125 Crestview, Fl  32536 or the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas  66675-8517.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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