Robert J. (Bob) Stafford
Bob passed away on the evening of June 11, 2014, at St. Peter’s Hospital as a result of complications from pulmonary hypertension, a disease he fought courageously for over 3 years.
He was born in May 30, 1934 in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, to Abilene Dare McKinney and Julius Winslow Stafford. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Yvonne Loberg, brothers Sherrill, Kenneth and Max, and sisters Jackie Lyday and Pauline Cox. He leaves behind his second wife, Deborah Duda Reading, his children Teri Lynn, Holly Ann Senn, Scott Robert, Kristin Reading, six grandchildren, his brother Bryce and sister Frances O’Brien, as well as several nieces and nephews.
After graduating from high school in Southern California he worked in several aircraft plants before joining the Air Force in 1955. He attended the Air Force Cadet Training program and flight schools to earn his wings and to become a weapons specialist and pilot. He participated in the fly-over at the first graduation at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs while he was stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base in Montana. His squadron from Glasgow was on standby in Billings during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and fortunately was recalled to Glasgow as the Crisis wound down. His Air Force career took him to bases in Montana, Labrador, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. He flew F-94 Starfires, F-89 Scorpions, F-101 Voodoos and F-4 Phantoms. He was deployed to Viet Nam during the war and flew 104 combat missions. He retired in 1976 as a Lt. Colonel at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.
Deciding to stay in Alaska, he was a founder and co-owner of Lake Creek Lodge, a hunting and fishing resort. The desire to begin another career was strong so he started Alaska Construction Enterprises, a building company. He did amazing wood work while constructing homes and businesses.
In 1984 his next endeavor was to apply for and be accepted into the Alaska State Trooper Academy in Sitka. He was proud to be the oldest graduate of the Academy and to be 2nd in his class. He was assigned to the Palmer post for the duration of his tour with the Troopers.
Although he thoroughly enjoyed each of his careers, his true passions were hunting and fishing and the pure joy of spending time in the outdoors.
Retirement in Montana allowed him to dedicate more of his time to these pursuits. He looked forward to hunting each Fall in the Elkhorns with his good friend, Gary Ogilvie, with whom he shared a love of The Fair Chase. Bob often said some of his best hunts never even involved firing a single shot.
Bob really liked motorcycles and riding, and throughout his life owned several different brands, but his favorite was his customized Harley. He was at his happiest riding the open roads. He lived the motto, “It’s not the destination, it’s the ride.”
Bob was a man of many talents and interests, all while being a loving and devoted husband and father, a loyal friend and role model for all who met him.
He was a man for whom honesty and integrity were his guiding principles; a real man whose parting leaves a hole in our hearts.
Memorials may be made to the Montana Hope Project PO Box 5927 Helena, MT 59604, or to the charity of their choice. No services will be held at this time. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Robert.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Steve O'Brien says
My best memory of my Uncle Bob dates from about 1956 when I was 9 years old and visiting my grandfather in Southern California. Bob was the epitome of the SoCal single ladies’ man with his good looks, crew cut and convertible. I thought he was the coolest uncle a kid could possibly have. That opinion never changed. Rest in peace Uncle Bob. The world was a far “cooler” place with you in it.
Robert J. "Bob" and Mel Krogseng says
Bob Stafford was one of those guys that you meet and never forget. I had the privilege of serving in two fighter squadrons with him – the 322 FIS in Klamath Falls Oregon and the 43rd TFS at Elmendorf AFB Alaska. At Elmendorf, we were frontdoor neighbors. After we retired, we were back door neighbors in Anchorage. I was probably a participant in some of Bob’s Alaska hunting stories.
“Home is the hunter,
Home from the skies,
Home is the hunter,
Home from the hills.” (With apologies)
Holly Ann says
I miss you dad, more than words can say. You will always be my hero.
Love you W G D
h
Andy Anderson says
My prayers for the family on the loss of Bob. We were in flying school and the Advanced
program flying in B-25s at James Connley, Waco Texas. Played football together and then went to Moody for F-94s. Lost 9 aircraft while there. Next to Griffiss AFB, Rome NY and
were awarded Top Gun Status at the Yuma Rocket competition in 1958 and later
winners of the William Tell World Wide competition at Tyndall AFB.. We played Football, Basketball
Baseball (Bob was a Air Force star pitcher) and then the first Judo team which resulted
in BAD BACKs. Next it was up North to Goose Bay ETc. Met him in Denver in 1962 when they flew two F-101Bs over the first graduating class of the AF Academy in Colorado Springs.
We have be on regular contact over the years and his loss will be missed by me on the rest
of my travel down Life’s Road. Andy Anderson
Jim Morton says
I met Bob at James Connley in Waco in 1956 and served with him at Moody and Goose Bay. We played on local Championship Basketball and Softball teams and were able to escape Goose twice for Tounaments back in the States. I tallked with him this past year for the first time in 20 years and it was great to catch up. He was an impressive guy and a good friend and and my memories will continue to be fond. My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. Jim Morton