Lt. Col. Robert Judson Mahnken U.S. Air Force, Retired

Lt. Col. Robert J Mahnken USAF Ret. was born January 22, 1938 in New York City to Marjorie Bevans Vaughan and George Frederick Mahnken. He passed away April 1, 2013 in San Antonio, TX. He served in the Air Force from 1961 to 1989 and flew 2 tours in Vietnam as a Navigator. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal. Throughout his life he loved to travel, living in Japan and Hawaii when he was young, then later in the Netherlands and made lifelong friends along the way. He loved golfing, gardening and perfected his tomatillo sauce and spaghetti sauce recipes to share with family and friends. He was passionate about classical and country music all his life. Most of all, he loved his family, friends, dogs and felt so much joy watching his grandchildren grow up.

He is preceded in death by his mother Marjorie and his father George. He is survived by his brother George Frederick Mahnken Jr, his wife Linda Rustemeyer, his daughters Kaylee Brielle Mahnken and Suzanne Marie Mahnken Sparks and his grandchildren Elliot Frances, Sierra Allessandra and Ava Catherine. Visitation will be at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home on Bandera Road on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 beginning at 9:00 A.M. A funeral service will to be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 also at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers,donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.sunsetnwfuneralhome.com