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.
Following Bob’s retirement in 1989, Bob and Joan moved to Hollister, CA. where Bob and Joan spent many wonderful years playing golf at Ridgemark and traveling with their many Air Force friends and their family throughout the world. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage. Bob was an extraordinary and remarkable man who was smart, brave, humble, funny, a great golfer and loved to fly. He was always amazed that the Air Force actually paid him to fly – he enjoyed it that much. In his retirement Bob also gave back to his community. He served on the Grand Jury of San Benito County, he drove a school bus (we still don’t know why!) he was a SIR and a long standing member of the Elks Club of Hollister. He liked a good steak and a Manhattan. And most importantly he loved his family and his country.
Bob is survived by his wife Joan of 51 years, his children, Mark Robert Putney and his wife Tammarie, Bethany Jean Mayer and her husband Dale Jantzen, and Christopher Todd Putney. He also leaves behind grandchildren, Tiffany and Ryan Putney, Sean and Holly Mayer, and Kaitlin and Lauren Putney, as well as step-grandchildren Carl, Avery, and Brett Jantzen. Bob is also survived by his brother Edward Putney and his wife Shirley. He joins his mother and father Frederick and Grace, his brother Donald and his grandson, Todd Robert in heaven. We love you and miss you, Pa. God broke the mold when He made you. 1WGFP1.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 9th from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a memorial service offered by the Hollister Lodge No. 1436, B.P.O.E. at 6:30 P.M. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister to which friends are invited. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on October 10th at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 7290 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos at 10am, followed immediately by a graveside service at Calvary Cemetery in Hollister with full military honors. Everyone is invited to attend a reception immediately following the graveside at Leal Vineyard, Hollister. The family would like to especially thank Didi for taking such wonderful care of Pa during his illness and thank Kaiser Hospice for their kind care of Pa as well. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Parkinson’s Institute of Sunnyvale, CA. www.thepi.org
Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences
