Robert W. Fizer

Biography

Born on Staten Island, New York City

Entered the Air Force on March 9th 1951. Basic training at Sampson AFB NY. June of ’51 I was sent to Lowry AFB for B B-29 gunnery training. Sept of ’51 I was sent to Randolph AFB for Combat Crew Training. March 9 9th, th, 1952, on a blind date, I met Barbara Jeanne Ellis.

I was sent to Barksdale AFB as a tail gunner on B B-29’s. I collected over 1000 hours as a gunner on B B-29’s and applied for Aviation Cadets in the fall of 1952. I was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program and went to Lackland AFB for preflight training in April of ‘53. I took primary training at Hondo in the Piper and T T-6.

I took basic at Laredo AFB for the T T-28 and T T-33. I graduated in June, class of 54 54-L. August 14,1954 I married Barbara.

T-33 gunnery training at Laughlin AFB and then on to Luke AFB for F F-84 84G gunnery training.

From Luke I went to Korea, back to Luke, to Clark AB, England AFB, Bien Hoa, Luke, Wheelus and back to Luke where I retired in March of 1971.

I totaled out at a little over 4000 hours, with just under 3000 in the F-100. The rest was spread out in the a/c listed above.

As an active reservist with no college degree I knew I was out in 20.

In Oct of ’71, I started with Cessna Aircraft Company as a Citation Demo pilot. In late summer of ’77 I took over as Manager of the Demonstration D Dept. and held that job till Oct 1990.

I collected many fighter pilots to join the Citation Demo team. I had 15 pilots, 12 who had been fighter pilots, 3 were ex Thunder-birds. After leaving Cessna I flew a Challenger along with Bill Hosmer for about a year and a half.

My heart attacked me and I hung up the jets in 1992. I flew some photo missions for my son Mike with AOPA for a few years and my heart attacked me again in 2000, so I hung it all up. I closed the book with over 12,000 hours and 2 daughters, one son and 4 grandchildren.

For highlights, I’d have to list the Fighter Weapons School for a 1 1st st Lt. with limited total flying time; a wonderful 12 weeks with 20th Century Fox filming The Hunters; staying in the cockpit for almost my entire career career; seeing the world with the Air Force and 128 country’s with a Cessna Citation.

Since March 9th 1951, I’ve never worked a day in my life. Totally retired since 2000 and enjoying golf and poker in Wichita KS.