Bob was born on March 10th, 1934, in Lacey-Lakeview, TX to Lucille and Roland Pardo.
He later moved to Hearne, Texas and graduated from Hearne High School in 1952. On February 13th, 1954, Bob enlisted in the Untied States Air Force and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and was awarded his wings on May 15th, 1955, at Bryan Air Force Base, TX. During his 20-year United States Air Force career he served in multiple positions that enabled him to rise through the ranks. Most notably by executing Pardo’s Push on March 10th, 1967. During his enlistment he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous additional decorations. He was later awarded the Silver Star. Upon his retirement in 1974, Bob went to work in corporate aviation.
In 1980, he began working as a Chief pilot for the Adolph Coors Companies in Golden, Colorado. In 2000, Bob was hired to set up Viper Aviation for a private individual in Denver. Bob retired from private aviation in 2002.
On March 7, 1992, he married Kathryn at Bergstrom Airforce Base in Austin, Texas. They enjoyed having family and friends come to visit them in Golden, CO. After Bob retired, they moved back to Texas to be closer to family and called College Station home. He would frequently be a guest speaker at various Air Force Engagements and was highly involved with the River Rats. In October 2023, Bob was honored at The River Rats Museum at Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky’s Grand Opening weekend.
Anyone who met Bob would always be in for a great conversation and a good laugh, unless a John Wayne movie was playing. In his spare time, he was an avid golfer and spent many hours at Golds Gym, but the most important people in his life were his wife Kathryn, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He would often combine his love of his grandkids with golfing or flying.
He is preceded in death by his parents Lucille and Roland Pardo; his siblings, Roland Pardo and his wife Faye, Shirley (Pardo) Palmos and her husband George, Lou Pardo and his wife Adelene, and daughter Janice (Pardo) Weldon.
Bob is survived by his wife, Kathryn; John Robert Pardo, Jr and his wife Nancy, Angela Fresh, Ron Weldon and wife Susan, Scott Arnold and his wife Paula, Kevin Arnold and his wife Eileen. Bob was grandfather to ten grandchildren, John Robert Pardo III and his wife Kimberlyn, Christopher Pardo, Emily Pardo, Shane Fresh, Stacy Schirato, Amanda (Arnold) Muscarella and her husband James, Denise Arnold, Blaine Arnold and his wife Holly, Kim Mcanally, and Trey Mcanally; and eleven great grandchildren. His sister Stella (Pardo) Gordon and her husband Ed, Additional survivors include Cheryl and Jon Cheek, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the care provided at St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan, TX.
Bob’s visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 12,2023 from 4:00pm- 7:00pm and his celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, December 13,2023 starting at 10:00am at the Memorial Funeral Chapel, 2901 Texas Ave S, College Station, TX 77845.
In lieu of flowers, it is Bob’s wish that donations be made to the Air Warrior Courage Foundation, PO Box 877, Silver Spring MD 20918. www.airwarriorcourage.org.
