Col. Robert Harold Buss U.S.A. F., Retired

Robert H. Buss (Bob), 89, of San Antonio, died Monday, August 25, while a patient at Parklane West in San Antonio. He suffered a massive stroke two years ago and had worked hard to recover, but recent seizures and pneumonia were too much to overcome. He passed in the early morning, peacefully in his sleep with family attending. His family thanks the caregivers and staff at Seasons Assisted Living, Heart to Heart Hospice and Parklane West for their wonderful care. A graveside memorial service and interment will be Friday, September 19, 2014 at 11:30 A.M. with military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Bob was born August 20, 1925 in Nicollet County Minnesota to George and Pearl Buss. Graduating from High School in 1943, he immediately joined the Army Air Corps and trained as a navigator on B-17 bombers for the Second World War effort. Returning from the war, he went to work as a lineman for the phone company and on January 20, 1949 married Gloria Peterson. He and Gloria had one son. Called back to active duty in the Air Force in 1951 for the Korean War, Bob decided to make it a career. He served three tours in Vietnam commanding a squadron and as Wing Director of Operations. He served in various locations until retiring in 1974 at the rank of Colonel. Bob spent most of his career in Tactical Air Commands flying various aircraft including the F-94, F-84, F-100, and A-1. He was awarded many commendations and decorations among them the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, Bronze Star, and 15 Air medals. After retiring from the service, Bob and Gloria were divorced in 1975. He married Mary Kehrer and they moved to San Antonio from Minnesota in 1978. In San Antonio, he worked driving deliveries for Coca-Cola and repositioning cars for Enterprise Car Rental. Bob was very active in VFW Post 8541. He enjoyed socializing with fellow retirees drinking a little beer and telling stories into the night. Reading and watching westerns was his relaxing time. Drive by their home and most days you would see him doing gardening, yard work, and/or tinkering with and caring for his vehicles.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary and his son Robert C. (Linda) Buss of Georgetown and their children Robert V. (Katy) Buss and their children, Robby and Lily of Grand Prairie; Matthew C. (Tiffany) Buss and their children, Aidan, Asher, and Abbott of Round Rock. Bob is also survived by his nieces, Judith (Steve) Betchwars of Plymouth MN and her children, Andrew Higgins, Kyle Higgins and fiancé, Megan Kelly; Patsy (Kenneth)Lang of Mankato MN and her children, Megan (Paul) Peterson, Samuel Lang, and Benjamin Lang and several great-nieces and nephews. Through his marriage to Mary, he is survived by her son Edward (Earlene) Sparkman of Tool and their children Christopher (Stephanie) and Cassie (Eric) Hartline and their children Casen Culver and Cadence Hartline; daughter Jannie (Raymond) Louvier, and their children, Alysia and Lily of Katy , Christopher (Shannon) Aaron of Kansas and their child Abigail, Russell (Carrie) Aaron of Kansas and their children, Christopher, Curtis and Richard (Amanda) and their child Russell; daughter, Lisa Westbrook of Adkins and her children, Melissa (Alex) Johnson and their child, Hannah of San Antonio and Matthew Westbrook of Victoria and his child, Lilia; son Franklin Pickens Kehrer ; Vivian Saito Kehrer of Hawaii and their children, Austin, Ayrton and Brittaney Mika and son Mark (Tracy) Kehrer of California and their children, Kyle, Jessica, Charis and Kurt.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Russell Buss, Dorothy Pfeffer, Isabel Wolle, and Edith Ahlstrom. Memorials may be given in Bob’s name to Wounded Warriors.