CMSAF Robert "Bob" D. Gaylor (Ret.)

Bob was born in Bellevue, IA, on May 8, 1930, and moved with his family to Rossville, IN, in 1939, then relocating to Mulberry, IN, in 1943, where he completed high school with seventeen classmates in 1947. During WWII years, Bob was very active in scouting, achieving the Boy Scouts Life Rank.

He entered the Air Force on September 8, 1948, on a three-year enlistment and remained on Active Duty thirty-one years.

Upon entering the Air Force, Bob was assigned to the security police career field in which he served until 1957. In September 1957, he served as a military training instructor at Lackland Air Force Base, TX, until February 1962. He then returned to the security police field until July 1965. During Bob’s security police years, his early assignments were at James Connally Air Force Base, TX, Laredo Air Force Base, TX, Kunsan Air Base, Korea, Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, Columbus Air Force Base, MS, and Barksdale AFB, LA.

In 1965, Bob was an honor graduate of Class 65B of the Second Air Force Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy at Barksdale. After graduation in April 1965, he was selected to be an instructor at the Academy and taught there until it closed in April 1966. Following a security police tour at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, Bob returned to Barksdale and assisted in reopening the SAC NCO Academy. In February 1970 he became senior enlisted advisor for Second Air Force. In July 1971, Bob transferred to Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), to establish the USAFE Command Management and Leadership Center, an in-residence, 60-hour course of instruction for USAFE NCOs. He continued as noncommissioned officer in charge of the center until his selection as USAFE Senior Enlisted Advisor in August 1973. In September 1974, Bob was assigned to the Air Force Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, TX, where he traveled extensively as a management and leadership instructor. He became Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on August 1, 1977, and retired August 31, 1979, in San Antonio, TX.

In September 1979, Bob began a 16-year career at United Services Automobile Association (USAA), teaching Leadership and Organizational Development. He retired from USAA in 1995, pursuing an avid schedule of traveling the world as a leadership consultant, motivational speaker, and advocate for the professional development of Air Force personnel. In May 2020, Bob developed his online podcast called “Wednesday with the Chief”, airing weekly to continue to inspire and motivate all who tuned in to hear his words.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Selma Gaylor; son, Michael “Eddie” Gaylor; parents, Lester and Alberta Gaylor; siblings, Shirley Fleischhauer (Don), Neal Gaylor (Sandy), Lynn Gaylor and Marge Benge.

Bob is survived by his children, Carol Nuccio (Joe), Elaine Sweidel (David) and Kenny Gaylor (Rhonda); grandchildren, Trey Nuccio, Lynette Byrd (Barrett), Josh Nuccio (Nichole), Robbie Sweidel (Joe Montes), Jenny Gainey (Adam) and Bobby Gaylor (Sydney Allen); great-grandchildren, Nick, Peyton, Wrenley, Wrylen and Landon; siblings, Beverly Gangwer (Gene), John Gaylor (Nancy 1936-2018) and Bill Gaylor (Nancy).

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00-8:00 PM on February 9, 2024, at Porter Loring Mortuary West, 1710 W Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, TX 78251 (located near Sea World).

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on February 10, 2024, at Gateway BMT Chapel, 1930 George Ave., Lackland AFB, TX 78236. USAF Brigadier General (Retired) Chaplain Bob Page will preside. Please click here to view a live stream of the funeral service.

Interment with full military honors will follow at 1:30 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in the Assembly Area near Section 103. Please click here to view a live stream of the interment service with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to The Chief Bob Gaylor Memorial Scholarship Fund at Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, TX.

JBSA hosts funeral services for CMSAF Robert D. GaylorBy Airman 1st Class Gabriel Jones 502 Air Base Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland, Texas –Joint Base San Antonio and the 502nd Air Base Wing will host funeral services for Robert D. Gaylor, the fifth chief master sergeant of the Air Force, on Feb. 10 at JBSA-Lackland and the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Gaylor passed away Jan. 17, 2024, at the age of 93. As a champion of professional military education, Gaylor's legacy extends far beyond his distinguished 31-year military career.

“CMSAF Gaylor was a patriot of unparalleled honor and dignity,” said current Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass. “He devoted more than 75 years of his life, both in uniform and out, to actively serving our Airmen and their families.”

The chapel funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Gateway Chapel, located at 1930 George Ave. at JBSA-Lackland, Texas. Installation access for guests begins at 8:30 a.m. through the Selfridge West Gate. Department of Defense ID cardholders are advised to access the base through alternate gate locations and park at the Pfingston Reception Center.

The JBSA-Lackland Selfridge West Gate, located on W. Military Drive, will be open to non-DOD ID cardholders attending the funeral service from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Non-DOD ID cardholders attending the funeral service must immediately exit the installation through the Selfridge West Gate at the conclusion of the service. All DOD ID cardholders are highly encouraged to use Valley Hi, Luke East and Growdon Commerical gates to prevent traffic delays.

Following the funeral service, the interment with full military honors will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the assembly area near Section 103 at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas. Attendees arriving for the interment with full military honors should arrive to the cemetery by 1:00 p.m. and will be guided to parking at the entrance of Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Seating will be limited at the burial site.

Transportation will be available for all DOD ID cardholders, on a first-come, first-served basis, from the chapel service to the interment with full military honors and back.

Traffic on JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and the surrounding areas may be affected during the time of the funeral service and during the procession from JBSA-Lackland to the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Remote viewing of the events will be available through livestream on the official JBSA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JointBaseSanAntonio.

-Funeral Service Livestream link: https://fb.me/e/1U1OEpA94-Interment with Full Military Honors Livestream link: https://fb.me/e/1Pz3hKejr

Gaylor was active in the San Antonio community and made frequent appearances at military events. The Robert D. Gaylor Noncommissioned Officer Academy at JBSA-Lackland bears his name in honor of his countless contributions to the development of United States Air Force professional military education.