Robert (Bob) Ellsworth Jamison Headed West

 

Robert (Bob) Ellsworth Jamison was born in Artesian, SD on September 10th, 1930 and headed west August 2, 2017.

After graduating from Washington High School in 1949, Bob began his military service at 17 when he enlisted in the SD Air Guard as an aircraft mechanic. He was activated for service in the Korean War and upon his return was selected for pilot training. On December 26th, 1953 he married the girl next door, and his wife of nearly 64 years, Shirley (Melvin).

He served in the South Dakota Air Guard as a fighter pilot, Squadron Commander, Director of Operations and Chief of Staff, flying 7,660 hours in the F-94, F-89. F-102 and F-100 Super Sabre and retired after 37 years as a USAF Colonel.  He was a past President of the SD National Guard Association, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War, President of the Dakota Chapter Air Force Association, American Legion Post and Chair of Military/Veterans Committee for the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Bob returned to school later in life and graduated from USD in 1982. He attended college with 5 of his adult children. The family joke was “You had to reserve a seat in the family car pool”, a red Fiat!

Bob is survived by his wife Shirley and 8 of his 9 children. They are blessed with 24 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, August 9, 10:30 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis SD on a later date.

His family will miss the partner, the teacher, the mentor, the advisor and kind-hearted grandpa. Their true patriarch.