Robert Eugene Borden Lt. Col. USAF Ret. After 83 years of a life well lived, Bob Borden slipped away peacefully on October 11, 2011. Though he survived active combat tours as a fighter pilot in both Korea and Vietnam, he succumbed after a brief fight with pancreatic cancer. He was a resident of Austin, TX for 37 years, and spent his last months with family and grandchildren in Spokane, WA. His travels took him all over the world, and he was impressed by the people he met, the foods he ate, and the majestic sights he encountered. But he always remained true to the idea that nothing in the world has more value than family and friends. He was the type of person that made it a point to keep in contact with others over the decades, and his loss will be felt by many. Bob was born in Blue Mountain, Alabama on December 30, 1927, the youngest son of nine children. He endured the hardships of the Great Depression as a child, and learned that hard work and education would pave the way for his future. He was among the first pilots trained by the newly formed U.S. Air Force in 1948, and his Air Force career took him all over the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He was a highly decorated fighter pilot, a test pilot, and later in his career was attached to NATO at the AFSouth Command in Naples, Italy.
He retired in 1975 at Bergstom Air Force Base in Austin, TX, and followed with a successful career in real estate. He never lost his love of flying, and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, flying an open cockpit biplane for several years. He regularly attended air shows throughout central Texas and was a member of the Austin Hanger of the Quiet Birdmen.
Bob leaves behind two sons, Robert Borden and his wife Jennifer of Columbia, SC, their children Eli, Annalee, and Charles; and Rodney Borden and his wife Sheila of Spokane, WA, and their children Benjamin and Sebastian. Edith Bergen of Austin, TX, was a friend, companion, and shining light in his life for many years.
There [was a] gathering of friends and family on Sunday November 13th at 2:00 p.m. He [was] buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, with full military honors.”
Obituary from the Austin American Statesman, 27 Oct 2011