~ IN MEMORY ~
Air Force Lt. Col, DL Capt. Robert John Rehwaldt
II
July 21, 1956 ~ June 21, 2013
Notification of the passing of DL pilot Captain Robert J.
‘Rob’ Rehwaldt II, just a month away from his 57th birthday. Born/raised
in El Paso TX, after his time with the Air Force Captain Rehwaldt hired on
with Delta Air Lines 06-09-1988 and was flying as a 757/767 Capt. based NYC.
You can read more of Lt. Col. Rehwaldt’s military history at http://washingtonguard.org/news/archive/fo-116asos-coc.shtml
Captain Rehwaldt passed unexpectedly of a heart attack while in Atlanta GA on
June 21st.
To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the Evergreen
Memorial Gardens website at http://www.evergreenmemorialgardens.com/_mgxroot/funeralhome
Services will be held July 2 with visitation the day prior. Personal
condolences may be sent to the Rehwaldt family at
15617 NE 29th Ave., Vancouver WA 98686-1460 ... (360) 573-4993
Thank you,
~ Carol
~ Carol
Obituary Robert John Rehwaldt II
With great sorrow, we announce the death of Robert John Rehwaldt II. He was
born to Bob and Miriam Rehwaldt in El Paso, Texas. He began a long career in the
sky at the Air Force Academy, graduating in 1978. He flew B-52 bombers and F-15s
during his career as an Air Force officer. Later, he served as a beloved
commander of the 116th ASOS before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He also
flew for Delta Air Lines for 25 years, eventually becoming an international
captain. He is survived by his wife, Karen Gilden, former spouse Paula Rehwaldt,
children Travis, Cassidy, Amy, Dena and Tori, as well as his parents and
siblings. Someday, we will follow you down the Yellow Brick Road, Rob, and join
you somewhere over the rainbow. Details regarding services and further
information is available via Evergreen Memorial Gardens' website.
.Published in The Seattle Times from June 28 to June 29, 2013
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert John Rehwaldt II
Born in El Paso, Texas on Jul. 21, 1956
Departed on Jun. 21, 2013 and resided in Vancouver, WA.
Visitation: Monday, Jul. 1, 2013
Funeral Service : Tuesday, Jul. 2, 2013
Cemetery: Willamette National Cemetery
With great sorrow, we announce the death of Robert John Rehwaldt II on June
21st, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. Rob was a man of many roles and
responsibilities who could certainly be described as a Renaissance man. His
travels in service to the military and Delta Air Lines allowed him to spread his
joy and friendliness around the globe.
He was born an eldest son to Bob and Miriam Rehwaldt in El Paso, Texas, on
July 21st, 1956. The son of a southern mother and Wisconsin Air Force pilot, Rob
learned to love grits, lima beans, and service to his country while traversing
the globe from as far as Washington D.C. to Okinawa, Japan. Rob had the pleasure
of teasing and guiding his siblings Eric, Frank, Dave, Laura, Dan, and Chris, a
role he treasured and continued his entire life, making the time to attend
milestones in each of their lives and to offer comfort during struggles.
He discovered his lifelong love of running at Mascoutah High School through
participation in track and cross-country. Upon high school graduation in 1974,
he attended the United States Air Force Academy as an honored member of the
Roadrunners and "Bad Company." Here, he first pursued his life's passion:
flying. He graduated in 1978 and married Paula Field in 1980, and they moved to
Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. They started their family, which
eventually grew to three children, Travis, Cassidy and Amy. Rob began his career
in the sky flying B-52 bombers for the 337th Bomb Squadron. Next, Rob flew F-15s
with the 27th Fighter Squadron of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at Langley Air
Force Base, Virginia. After completion of active duty service in the Air Force,
Rob continued to serve his country in the Air National Guard. He served as
Fighter Duty Officer in the 111th ASOC. For many years, he was the beloved
leader and commander of the 116th ASOS. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in
2006.
Following his time spent in the Air Force, Rob and Paula moved to Atlanta,
Georgia, where he began his twenty-five year career as a commercial pilot for
Delta Air Lines. He eventually became an international captain and particularly
enjoyed flights to Africa and Asia. Rob truly loved his time spent in the sky.
Rob moved to Vancouver, Washington, in 1989 and finally found his home. In
2004, he married Karen Gilden, and three years later, twins Tori and Dena
arrived. He raised his five children in a house that he loved and lived in for
twenty years while looking across a pine-filled valley to the Cascade Mountains.
Long runs across the valley led to the completion of several marathons.
Rob spent over half of his life in the role of father, a role in which he
particularly excelled. Years of "wee-flips," soccer games, golf lessons,
long-winded lectures, loud morning renditions of the "school days" song, late
night viewings of the Wizard of Oz, mini-van drives across Washington with the
windows down and classic rock blaring, boogie boarding on the Pacific Coast
until we were numb with cold, trips to the barber for trims and treats, and
nights playing Risk and Acquire – all combined to form three adult children who
loved their friend and father very much and two little girls who will miss their
Papa terribly.
Although he was taken too soon, we say goodbye to Rob knowing his life was
full and spent making the world a better place. His kind words, sense of humor,
and friendly nature touched many lives across the globe, especially the lives of
his five children and family.
Someday, we will follow you down the Yellow Brick Road, Rob, and join you
somewhere over the rainbow.
A viewing will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens on July 1st from 10:00
am – 9:00 pm. Services will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens on July 2nd at
10:00 am and at Willamette National Cemetery at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers,
please make donations in Rob's name to the Minuteman Emergency Assistance
Fund.
No comments:
Post a Comment