Robert "Bob" Treis

After a long and fruitful life, Captain Robert “Bob” Enlow Treis passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026. Captain Robert Enlow Treis was born in Macon, Georgia to Mildred and Enlow Treis on July 28, 1943. He grew up in Milbank, South Dakota. His early life was spent at Harvey Hatchery raising chickens and turkeys. Working hard and staying active were common themes for Bob, waking up at 4:30am to work at Shad’s bakery when he was just 12 years old. His love for flying came quite early, joining his father, Enlow, when he flew for the Civil Air Patrol. Bob graduated from Milbank High school and then attended South Dakota State University where he played saxophone with the Rock and Roll band, The Talismen, who were inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Bob was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in June of 1963 and commissioned in June of 1967 with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, he received his flight training at Naval Air Stations: Saufley, Florida; Meridian, Mississippi; Pensacola, Florida and Kingsville, Texas. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1969. The then Lieutenant Treis served on the USS ORISKANY (CVA 34) from December of 1971 to June 1974, flying 146 combat missions in Vietnam and earning 11 Air Medals and 4 Navy Commendation Medals. He served his second sea tour with VA-113, assigned to USS RANGER (CV 61) from August 1977 to January 1980. Bob is one of a small group of pilots with over 2,000 hours in the A-7 aircraft with over 400 carrier landings. He served at Navy Recruiting District Omaha in March 1980 and went on to command Navy recruiting districts in Pittsburg, PA; Dallas, TX; Miami, FL; and Washington D.C.

Captain Treis always spoke fondly of his time stationed in Miami where he was able to fly during the day and drink rum and cokes at night while fishing off his boat. Captain Treis’s final command was Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL. Bob retired from the Navy in 1994 but was not done working. He quickly became a successful local business owner, deeply entrenched in the booming cell phone and pawn shop market, expanding to eight locations before “retiring” again.

With that aim to stay busy and stay curious, Bob had numerous hobbies both at home and in his community. He made his own honey as a beekeeper. He grew his own food and made his own wine from the dozens of varieties of flora located on his property. Captain Treis was well known for working with young people as a youth basketball, football, and track coach, scorekeeper of local basketball games, substitute PE teacher, volunteer at the local Veterans Administration, and membership director of the Pensacola Rifle and Pistol Club. Captain Treis was a charter member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Northeast South Dakota, Chapter 1054; proud member of Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, Milbank-Sisseton; American Legion Post 9, Milbank; and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3486, Milbank

He is preceded in death by his parents Enlow and Mildred Treis (Smith). He is survived by his wife, Beverly, née Clayton, sons Clayton Treis (Rachael), Garrett Treis (Jessie), Robert Treis II and Bart Treis, former wife Connie (Tucholke), brother Randy Treis (Kyle), sister Lesley Bossert (Tom), brother Joel Treis (Priscilla), as well as 6 grandchildren and many many cousins.

Services will be held at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel in Pensacola, FL on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 with the viewing at 10am and service at 11am with lunch to follow. There will be a second service, with internment held at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 with the same time schedule. Those wishing to honor Captain Treis can send flowers to either service location or make a donation in his name to any local veterans organization.