Robert "Bob" Myers

Robert Myers, 67, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on November 14, 2023.

Interment will be at 2:00pm on Monday, November 27^th, 2023 at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Robert “Bob” was born in Canton, South Dakota to Glenn and Dorothy (Irvin) Myers on December 11^th, 1955. He went to school at Yankton High School in Yankton, South Dakota and graduated from Central Community High School in Elkader, Iowa. Later in life, he attended Southern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Education Studies in 1989. He married Shelby (Mapp) Myers on July 1^st, 1994 in Vernon, Texas. Together they had one daughter, Kaitlyn. He worked for the United States Air Force for 30 years, starting in 1974 as a SR-71, U-2, and T-38 Aircraft Maintenance Technician at Beale AFB, California. In 1978, he cross-trained into the flight engineer career field and was assigned to the 15^th Airlift Squadron in Norton AFB, California. In 1981, he took an assignment with the 57^th Airlift Squadron stationed in Altus AFB, Oklahoma. He was then qualified as a C-141 Instructor and Flight Examiner Engineer. Upon making Chief Master Sergeant in 1997, he transitioned to the C-130 and became the Chief C-130 Flight Engineer and Functional Manager for the 317^th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas. He retired from active duty in 2004 and logged over 6,100 flight hours. He had many adventures flying around the world throughout his 26 years on flying status. In 2005, he began civil service employment as Chief of Aircrew Training for the 317^th Airlift Wing. He retired from his civil service position after 17 years in January 2022.

He was a veteran of the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, War on Terrorism Expenditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation of Kuwait Medal. He received the World Affairs Award and was a distinguished graduate of the 22nd Air Force Leadership School, the Air Training Command NCO Academy, and the Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy. He is a life member of the Air Force Sergeants Association, Air Force Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was an avid fan of Cooper Cougar, Texas Tech Red Raider, and Kansas City Chiefs football. He loved to golf, read, and spend quality time with his family.

Robert was preceded in death by his father Glenn, his mother Dorothy, his brother Jerry, and his nephew John Iversen.

Robert is survived by his spouse Shelby Myers of Abilene, TX; daughter Kaitlyn Myers of Abilene, TX; sister Marilynn Iversen of Canton, SD; brother Lynn (Verona) Myers of Iowa City, IA; sister-in-law Allene Gillespie of Waukon, IA; and his numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be Phil Craig, Dave Green, Larry Lambert, Leroy Haynes, Jeff Herndon, Dave Fairchilds, and Scott Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Bob’s memory to the American Heart Association, Pulmonary Hypertension Association, or any charity of your choosing.

The Myers family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Jeffery Edwards, Dr. Robert Leverton, Hendrick Heart Failure Clinic, and Hendrick Hospice Care.