Bob's History
Gone But Not Forgotten
Colonel Robert G. Lawrence, United States Air Force Academy Class of 1964, died of cardiac arrest on January 8, 2003 in Hawaii.
Colonel Lawrence served his country, his friends and his family for 60 years. He was born in Marshfield, WI on September 18, 1942 to Roger and Rita Lawrence. He was a star athlete and honor student in high school. At the Air Force Academy he played freshman football and excelled in the classroom.
Upon graduation in 1964, Bob left for pilot training at Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA where he flew the T-37. Next, he was stationed Webb AFB, Big Spring, TX where he trained in the T-38. He spent several years as a T-38 instructor. During 1968 and 1969 he flew the A-37 in Vietnam. After returning home he served as an air officer commanding at the Air Force Academy.
Bob then received a Master's Degree in Middle East Affairs from the University of Utah. This set the foundation for the remainder of his career in the Air Force and after. He was stationed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as the Air Attaché from 1977 to 1979. Upon his return to the United States he worked in the Pentagon and the State Department in Washington, D.C. During this period he attended the War College and published the book, “US Policy in Southwest Asia: A Failure in Perspective.”
After 22 years in the Air Force, Bob retired, joining General Dynamics and eventually Lockheed Martin. He spent six of those years in Cairo, Egypt. In his last position before retirement from Lockheed he was the President of the Middle East and Africa division.
During the latter part of his career with Lockheed Martin, he became a board member of Seeds of Peace, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing together and resolving the differences between Palestinian and Israeli youths.
In 1999, he retired to Ponte Vedra, FL where he spent his time fishing, golfing and with his family and friends.
Robert died after battling cancer for over a year. He is survived by his two sons, Mike and Brad; his wife, Patricia; and his three grand children. He is deeply missed but fortunately his legacy lives in those he touched, for anyone who crossed paths with him was instantly his friend. The country he loved he defended until his passing and to his family he gave of himself everyday.
(Submitted by Bob's family, Gone But Not Forgotten, Checkpoints, Summer 2003)
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