Robert M. Blocher

Preferred Name: Bob
Date of Birth: August 14, 1933
Headed West: May 18, 2014
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Massillon, OH
Robert Blocher - now
Biography

After serving in the USAF, Bob Blocher worked as the Business Manager of Mountain States Research & Development subsidiary of MSME in Tucson, AZ. From 1983-1984 he was the Director of Corporate Planning at Mountain States Mineral Enterprises, Inc., in Tucson, AZ. From there he and his wife Sandy became Co-owners and operators of their own commercial pecan tree orchard from 1995 – 2008 in Elfrida, AZ. They retired in 2008 and began living the good old life in Sahuarita/Green Valley, AZ.

Bob spent many hours volunteering Voluntary services since 1980 USAF Retirement including Vice President Health Systems Agency of Southeastern Arizona Board of Directors, Tucson, AZ from 1984 – 1987; Founding Director Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc., (clinics in Elfrida, Douglas, &
Bisbee) from 1995-2008; Supervisor & Vice Chairman; Whitewater Draw Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD), 1996 – 2004; Founder, Editor, & Publisher of Elfrida Vision News – a quarterly newspaper from 1998 – 2000; Vice-Chairman, District 2 Cochise County Board of Adjustment, Bisbee, AZ from 2003-2008; and Director, Arizona Pecan Growers Association. 2004- 2008.

Headed West

Robert Blocher - nowRobert M. Blocher (LtCol USAF, Ret) Headed West May 18, 2014.

Robert M. Blocher, 1933-2014, West Point Academy graduate and USAF Veteran Fighter Pilot, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors on Nov. 19, 2014 at 1 p.m.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Sandy, children Katharine and Robynn, two granddaughters, one grandson, and one great-grandson.

After 25 years in USAF, the Blocher family has resided in Arizona for the past 33 years, currently in Green Valley.

Pilot Information

Units Assigned

  • 1956-1957 Primary Pilot Training, Marana AB, AZ (T-34, T-28)
  • 1957 Basic Pilot Training, Goodfellow AFB, TX (B-25)
  • 1957-1959 Mission Pilot, Navigator Training, Mather AFB, CA (T-29)
  • 1959-1960  Commander, M&S Hq Squadron, Mather AFB, CA (T-29)
  • 1960-1963 Aide to Vice Commander ATC, Randolph AFB, TX (T-39)
  • 1963-1964 Student, USAF Operational Training Course, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/D/F)
  • 1964-1967 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tactical Fighter Pilot, RAF Lakenheath, England (F-100)
  • 1967 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tactical Fighter Pilot, Commando Sabre, Phu Cat AB, RVN (F-100F)
  • 1967-1968 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, Wing Operations Officer, Phu Cat AB, RVN (F-100)
  • 1968-1969 Instructor, Military Training Division, Air Force Academy, CO (T-33)
  • 1969-1970 Air Officer Commanding, Cadet Squadron 37, Air Force Academy, CO (T-33)
  • 1971-1973 Chief, Operations Plans Applications Div, Hq PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI (T-33)
  • 1973-1974 Executive Officer to Vice CINC PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI (T-33)
  • 1974 434 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Student, USAF F-4 Operational Training Course, George AFB, CA (F-4)
  • 1974-1975 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron/8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Squadron Operations Officer, Kunsan AB, Korea (F-4)
  • 1976-1980, Chief, Tactical & Airlift Forces Branch, DCS Plans, Hq AF Logistics Cmd, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH: non-flying, got grounded by medics for cluster headaches
  • 1980 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star

Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Stars

Meritorious Service Medal (3)

Air Medal (8)

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
B-25
T-29
T-39
T-33
F-100 (C/D/F): 1,065 Hours
F-4: 260 Hours

Total Flight Hours: 5,000; Combat 331; Total Jet 1,800

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1952-1956 B.S. USMA West Point, NY
  • 1962 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, AL
  • 1970-1971 Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
  • 1975-1976 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
  • USAF Survival Schools at Stead, Eglin, & Clark plus a couple of Hurlburt COIN courses

Civilian Education:

  • 1976 MS, Troy State University, Montgomery, AL