~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, WA/DL Capt. Robert Allan Adams
July 30, 1946 ~ January 7, 2019
Notification with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot
Captain Robert Allan Adams, age 72. Captain Adams joined Western Airlines
11-28-1972 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based SLC. He is survived by his
wife JoAnn, their children and grandchildren plus many other friends and
aviation/military colleagues.
To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral
home website at
Obituary information is also available online at
Captain Adams’ obituary notes that an open house will be held
at Russon Brothers Mortuary in Farmington, Utah on January 13th. Visitation and
Funeral Services will be held at the Fruit Heights Stake Center in Fruit Heights
Utah on January 14th.
To the best of my knowledge and per whitepages listing,
personal condolences may be sent to the family at
120 E 750 S , Farmington UT 84025-3236
Should we receive further information, we will be sure to
forward those updates.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary...........................Robert Allan
Adams
Colonel Robert Allan Adams (Army/Retired) died January 7,
2019.
Robert (Bob) is survived by wife, JoAnn Spencer Adams, three
children, Spencer and Barbie Adams, Katie and David Lewis, Matthew and Amber
Adams. Grandchildren; Grayce, Sophia, Truman, Lincoln, Harper, Jack, George, and
Lilly. He was predeceased by daughter Amy Adams (Oct 78).
Born July 30, 1946 to Allan and Helen Adams in Ogden, UT. Bob
grew up spending time between Bear Lake (South Eden), Randolph, and Logan where
he worked the family ranches the JF and later the Gallentine. Bob was a steward
and a care taker of the land. He had an appreciation and love for the western
range and open space that was his cornerstone. He was an accomplished and
passionate skier working with Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol during his college
years.
Bob attended Utah State University from 1964 to 1968, where he
met the love of his life, JoAnn Spencer. They married on August 26, 1966. The
Adams and Spencer families ran respective cattle ranches and were active in the
Utah Cattleman’s Association. The marriage was a natural fit.
Bob received a bachelor’s degree in History and Business Law
and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through ROTC with the U.S. Army on
September 4tth, 1968. He was stationed at Fort Knox for Armor School prior to
being assigned Fixed Wing and Flight Maintenance Officer courses for the U-21
AQC School in Fort Rucker and Fort Stewart. He was assigned to Vietnam in June
1970, and by June 1971 Colonel Adams had flown 766 combat hours and more than
325 combat Missions. He was a member of the Army Security Agency and assigned to
the 224th Aviation Battalion flying with the 146th and 138th at Hue Phu Bai and
Long Thanh North (ICOR I & III) in a JU21A. He served with distinction and
honor and received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service medal,
Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal (14), Bronze Star, Army Aviation Badge, and
Expert Rifle Badge.
Once discharged he began flying the 737 for Western Airlines
in November of 1972. Flying assignments included First Officer, Captain, Senior
Flight Instructor, Line Check Airmen w/FAA designee. He was involved with ALPA
in collective bargaining and merger negotiations with Delta. He retired with
more than 30 years of service on June 2003. He spent most of his tenure in the
737, with brief stints in the L10-11 and 727. He loved flying and co-owned a
Cessna 180 out of SkyPark AirportHis 180 mountain sorties in 93Tango took him to
the Middle Fork of the Salmon camping and panning for gold on Loon Creek or
flying to Randolph or Yost to assess cows on the summer range or spotting elk
and deer in the fall. He loved the lifelong friendships that flying afforded him
with his Western, Delta, and Military colleagues.
Bob continued to serve his country after Vietnam through the
Utah National Guard and Army Reserve he had various duty assignments through the
years which concluded as Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel with the 96th ARCOM. He
served honorably until his retirement on July 13th, 2006. Colonel Adams received
the following decorations, service medals, badges: Meritorious Service Medal,
Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Components
Achievement Medal with Three OLC’s., Army Achievement Medal, Army Service
Ribbon, and Senior Army Aviator Badge.
Bob was an active alum with Utah State University as the
family representative for the Allan N. and Helen Adams Scholarship for College
of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, as well as recently being the CAAS Alumni
Council President.
Bob was a rancher, farmer, horsemen, cattlemen, soldier,
pilot, commander, friend, officer, cowboy, counselor, sportsman, hunter,
husband, uncle, brother, father, patriot, gentleman, patriarch, philanthropist,
volunteer, and grandpa, He was immensely loved. He was a friend to all, a
caretaker, a stalwart chivalric gentleman, who loved his wife and family dearly.
He will be dearly missed. We love you dad and take pride in your legacy,
service, character, and courage.
An open house will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary 1941 N
Main St. Farmington, UT 84025 on Sunday January 13th from 4 to 6 pm. Funeral
Services will be held at the Fruit Heights Stake Center on 170 N Mountain Road
Fruit Heights UT 84037 on Monday, January 14th, visitation held from 9:45 to
10:45 am, and funeral services starting promptly at 11am. Military Funeral
Honors will be provided by the Army National Guard and American Legion Post
27.
In lieu of flowers, please thank a veteran and make
appropriate donations in Bob’s honor to organizations supporting PTSD and
Suicide Prevention among veterans.
