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Robert A. Kaiser  '54

 

No. 20125September 16, 1932 - May 28, 2010          

Died: San Antonio, TX

Interred: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX

 

Robert Andrew Kaiser was born in Irons, MI, on Sep 16, 1932, to Carrie and Carl Kaiser. This rural area in western Michigan is renowned for its fishing and hunting sanctuaries plus access to the Great Lakes - the inland seas of America. Bob happily spent his early years here. He received his diploma from Baldwin High School in 1949 and worked as a seaman for one year on the Great Lakes while pursuing a new goal - entrance to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He accomplished his goal the following summer when he received his appointment to the Academy. His high school experience played an important part in gaining that honor. Those four years saw his natural leadership qualities honed to new heights in both academics and sports activities at Baldwin High School. Bob was president of the student body and lettered in football, basketball, and track. Armed with these fine credentials he arrived at the Academy.

 

Bob was assigned to Company M of the Second Regiment for his entire four years at West Point. This Company enjoys a spirit of camaraderie that is unmatched in many ways. Throughout the years, in addition to regular class reunions for marked special anniversaries, the men of M-2 gather for mini-reunions with wives and widows. Bob and his wife, Jane, were always great supporters of those gatherings and brought their special esprit de corps with them!

 

Bob was a core military man and served our country with honor throughout his career. At the time of his graduation and commissioning there was no Air Force Academy, so Bob joined those fellow classmates who opted for a commission in the Air Force with their West Point degree in engineering. As is true for every graduate of the Military Academy he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Armed Forces. At graduation Bob embraced this new adventure which began with pilot training at Hondo Air Force Base (AFB) and Laredo AFB in Texas. This training was followed by Navigator School for Pilots from 1955–56. Bob was one of a selected few to be assigned to units that flew bombers, transports, and fighters. He flew the B-52 from 1956–65. He moved his family through several assignments including Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, and Sheppard AFB in Texas. At one time Bob was named the youngest aircraft commander and the youngest standardization evaluation pilot in Strategic Air Command. He also flew eight 24-hour airborne alert missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served in Vietnam for one year flying transports as a C-123 aircraft commander. After that he achieved his dream job. He became an F-100 fighter pilot. His greatest thrill was flying the F-100 “Super Saber” which was one of the “hottest” aircraft in use at the time.

 

Bob had already demonstrated his ability to pilot multiple aircraft when he was tapped for duty in England. He received orders for assignment there in 1967 and represented this nation in NATO exercises for two years. Bob was a member of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath and was justly proud of his squadron - the 492 Tactical Fighter Squadron. This wing and its American presence of fighter pilots brought a new mission and the first American presence to RAF Lakenheath. He excelled in his assignment.

 

Hardship tours are part of a career pattern and Bob served this nation in the Vietnam conflict at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon. He was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters. Once again Bob stood above the rest.

 

The family was assigned to Seoul, Korea ,when tragedy struck - the fatal illness of Jane and Bob’s older son, Robert. The tour was curtailed, and they returned home to Randolph AFB in San Antonio to support the medical crisis. Young Robert died in 1978, and the family moved to Clark Air Base in the Philippines for Bob’s last assignment flying T-39’s.

 

No tribute to this military gentleman would be complete without reference to his beloved wife - Jane Gilley Kaiser - whom he married on Dec 28, 1957. She, his bride of 52 years, was at his side throughout the years of service. He is survived by Jane and their children: Gregory A. Kaiser and Tracy Kaiser Moreland. Bob retired from active duty in 1982 and turned to the teaching profession for thirteen additional years, most of which were spent in the middle school grades. He succeeded in any mission assigned and served this nation with honor and distinction. His life is a tapestry with the richness of achievement and a firm dedication to Duty, Honor, and Country.

— Gregory A. Kaiser, son

 

Originally published in TAPS, Summer 2013

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