ROBERT PAUL LIVINGSTON
USAF Colonel (Retired) Robert Paul Livingston died on
8/28/2018 at the age of 97 under the devoted care of his wife, June (Wallace)
Livingston. Bob was born at home to his
parents, Clyde Edward Livingston and Ruth (Coup) Livingston in Bedford, Iowa on
11/16/1920. The family moved to Des
Moines, Iowa where Bob started school at Des Moines North High School. There he excelled in track and field (110
yard dash & lead off in the 440).
After graduating, Bob attended University of Iowa where he was a member
of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and led his ROTC drill team (Pershing Rifles) to
first place before graduating (BS) in 1942 with his Army Commission.
Bob married his college sweetheart, Harriett Garl, on
6/25/1942 not long after beginning training to enter America’s WWII war effort. He participated in the Army School for Flight
before he was transferred to England where he served in the 360th
Bomb Squadron before joining the 303rd Bomb Group (where he’d study
photos to determine bombing sites).
Bob’s B-17 was shot down over Germany in the winter of 1943 where his
leg was broken upon his parachute landing.
He was able to hide for a few days before being captured by the Germans
and being interned at Stalag Lufte 3.
Bob remained there until 12/28/1943 when General Patton liberated the
Prisoner of War camp.
After the war, Bob continued his military career moving from
California to Levittown, NY while attending Columbia University where he
received his MBA in 1946. When stationed
at the Pentagon next, he attended Survival School in Thule, Greenland. Bob moved his family of five from Falls Church,
VA., to Pepperell AFB in St. John’s, Newfoundland as a Cold War warrior. He served in Strategic Air Command at Offutt
AFB in Bellevue, Nebraska before returning to the Pentagon. Bob was sent to Randolph AFB in San Antonio,
TX, to develop and direct the Personnel Center on computer for the entire
USAF. He retired there after 24 years of
service.
Never one to laze around, Bob held an office management job
at a prestigious law firm in the Chicago Loop after military retirement,
enabling his three children to attend and graduate college. Upon retirement from the law firm in 1971, he
and his wife travelled for 3 months throughout Europe. They followed that trip up with a tour of
East Asia and Japan. Bob purchased an
Airstream Trailer when his kids were still at home and became active in
rallies, holding many offices in the Texas Hill Country Airstream Group.
Bob continued to work after and around travelling, in men’s
clothing and furniture sales (Joske’s of Texas and Dillard’s), not ending his
retail career at Walmart (electronics) until 2012. He supported his wife during her fight with
Parkinson’s Disease until her death in 1996.
He re-married on 4/5/1997 to June Wallace who has been his steadfast
companion and caregiver to the end of his days.
They adopted their grandson, Steve Wallace Livingston, who brought much
joy to his life.
Bob was predeceased by his
parents, first wife, brother-in-law (Dr. Robert Moore) and niece (Nancy Moore
Hines). Surviving him are his wife, June
and his grandson, Steve (San Antonio); his sister, Betty Moore (Hampton, Iowa);
his daughters, Sue Johnson and Annie Livingston-Garrett (Leadville, CO); his
son, Steve (Lou Ann) in Albuquerque, N.M.; his nephew, Bill (Pam) Moore (Iowa/Arizona)
and niece, Marilyn Moore (Windsor Heights, IA); his stepson, James Wallace (San
Antonio, TX); grandchildren, Amy (Will Kent) Johnson (Colorado Springs, CO),
Michael (Desiree) Johnson (Lakewood, CO), Jahnelle Taylor, Nick Livingston and
Matt Livingston (Albuquerque, N.M.); and 5 great-grandchildren, Jennifer &
Jayla Taylor and Sophia Smith (Albuquerque) and Parker and Grayson Johnson
(Lakewood).
Full military honors will be given
at 11:15 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery where Col. Robert
Livingston’s remains will be interred.
Please join the family for lunch following the ceremony at one of Bob’s
favorite restaurants, Chuy’s, 14855 I-35 Frontage Road across from the Forum.
Wit's End
310 E. 8th Street
Leadville, CO 80461
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| Sue, Gloria and Ann 2018 |
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| Sue, Steve and Ann Livingston |
