Archived Obituaries

Robert F. Putney, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on October 3rd surrounded by his family. Robert "Bob" was born on October 2nd, 1932 in Providence, Rhode Island. Bob grew up in Providence, and graduated from LaSalle Academy High School. Bob then enlisted in the Air Force as a plane mechanic, but as the result of a special program for promising young enlisted candidates, Bob was able to train as a pilot. Bob trained on T-33 in Texas, and excelled to the point where he trained others to fly. He returned home to Providence to marry his longtime sweetheart and childhood friend, Joan Frances D'Iorio. Bob and Joan then moved to Selma Alabama where Bob was stationed at Craig AFB. While in Selma, their three children, Mark Robert, Bethany Jean, and Christopher Todd were born. Bob and Joan then moved to Arizona where he was stationed at Luke AFB as a pilot. Bob also graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. As a Captain in the Air Force, Bob was sent to Viet Nam, stationed in Da Nang and flew the F-100 over 300 missions as a fighter pilot in 1966- 1967. Bob received the Bronze Star Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster for bravery in combat and the Distinguished Flying Cross and was promoted to Major. Bob returned home to his family and was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton Ohio. While at Wright Patterson, Bob was responsible for Materiel for the F111. While at Wright Patterson Bob was promoted to Lt. Colonel. Following his promotion, Bob and his family moved to San Diego, CA. where he was stationed at Coronado Naval Base as the Air Force representative to General Dynamics. While at Coronado, Bob enjoyed fighter plane dog fighting with his Navy colleagues. He would often come home with a sore neck from scanning the sky trying to see his competitors. Following his outstanding work in San Diego, Bob was sent to Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama where the leadership of the Air Force is trained. During his time in Montgomery, Bob also received a Masters of Public Administration from Auburn University. Bob was then promoted to Colonel and stationed again at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. At that time, Bob was responsible again for a large team focused on delivery of Materiel to NATO for the F16. Bob traveled quite often to Europe and brought Joan along to see the sights. Bob's final stop in the Air Force was at Moffet Field in Sunnyvale, CA. where he was the Air Force Representative to Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Bob retired after 25 years of distinguished service to his country. Bob then went on to 15 years at Lockheed Missiles and Space where he was Director of Materiel for the Space Systems Division and retired as Vice President Lockheed Integrated Systems Corporation.

Memorial service, January 24, 2015, 11:00 A.M., at VFW 6th and Eigleberry in Gilroy.