Robert L. Lundin

On May 14, 2025, his 92nd birthday, Major Robert (Bob) L Lundin (USAF Ret) completed his last mission, passing just 62 days after his wife of almost 58 years, Eileen Doyle Lundin. Born in North Platte, Nebraska, to Rudolph and Maxine Lundin in 1933, Bob was a standout athlete in football and track and field at North Platte High School. He followed his older brother, Fritz, to the University of Denver, where he was awarded a football scholarship and participated in the ROTC program.

Following graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, entered pilot training, and ultimately qualified as an aircraft commander, flying the Boeing B-47E Stratojet in the Strategic Air Command. On May 26, 1964, after an overnight flight from Pease AFB, NH, to Upper Heyford AFB, England, then Captain Lundin survived a catastrophic landing crash due to a mechanical fault that caused a total loss of engine power on the left side of the bomber. The aircraft’s wing hit the runway, causing it to cartwheel off the runway, between two parked B-47s, and into a storage building. In the ensuing fires, he bravely assisted the extraction of his crew of three, suffering burns on his left side and arm. After recovery from the burns, he resumed flying duties.

In 1970, he was selected for foreign duty in Bolivia, South America. Both he and Eileen completed the Spanish course at the Military Language School in Washington, D.C., and then moved to Santa Cruz, in eastern Bolivia, where the Bolivian Air Force has its flight training school. They were the only American military couple there, and Bob used a radio to report to higher command at the American Embassy in La Paz, 400 miles away. That radio, located in their home, caused the Lundins to be cause célèbres when rebels and 200 American-trained Bolivian troops surrounded their house and commandeered the radio to run the revolution to overthrow the Bolivian government in late August 1971. The Lundins’ role as Americans in the area was misrepresented in the national media, drawing high-level denials from the US State Department, never a good thing for a serving officer.

Upon returning to the US, Bob resumed flying duties, supporting navigator training in Texas and basic flight training for foreign officers. Subsequently, he flew combat missions in South Vietnam and an unnamed adjacent country. He retired after 20 years in the USAF, having received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Airman’s Medal, and a Meritorious Service Medal, as well as decorations from many foreign Air Forces for his service.

In retirement, Bob became a United Nations employee, working for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and he and Eileen enjoyed aviation-related assignments in Argentina, Brazil, China, and finally Canada.

After their second retirement, they returned to San Antonio. Bob joined the local Porsche club, serving as its vice president for many years and participating in rallies and competitions across the country. Always a supportive husband, he provided the foundation for Eileen’s work, which included her many charity interests. Additionally, the couple enjoyed many years of traveling to experience food, wine, art, and music around the world.

He is survived by his daughters, Linda Lundin-Tereba and Susie Lawler (Jim); his grandchildren, Emily and Haleigh Tereba, and Matthew Lawler; and his sister-in-law, Cindy Lundin. He was predeceased by a son, Robert A. Lundin, and his brother, Fritz Lundin. He is also survived by his niece, Michele Hart-Henry, who lovingly cared for him and Eileen in their final years.

A memorial service will be held for Robert on Friday, July 11, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery, where his ashes will be interred alongside his wife’s.