Colonel Robert Taft Evertsen

Colonel Robert Taft Evertsen (Bob) passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Bob was born on August 19, 1939, in White Pines, New York, to parents, Narcissa (Taft) Evertsen and Walter Evertsen. He grew up in New Jersey, in Montclair and later Glen Rock. After graduating from high school in 1958, Bob attended Nichols Junior College and graduated as Valedictorian. He later went on to complete his degree at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.

In 1962, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force and attended Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio. His first assignment was at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, where he met his future wife, Pat Locklear. During a two-year assignment at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, Bob and Pat continued their courtship through frequent letters.

Before relocating to the Air Force Academy, he returned to San Antonio to marry Pat in 1966. They lived in Colorado Springs for two years and then moved to Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico. By that time, Bob and Pat had three daughters – Jenny, Karen and Julie.

In 1973, Bob served an unaccompanied tour at Kunsan Air Base in Korea, a year apart from Pat and the girls. The role required frequent travel and temporary duty in the Pacific due to special assignments. After 12 months, Bob returned to the US, and the family moved to Norton AFB in San Bernardino, California. For the next seven years, Bob had various roles at the Headquarters for the Air Force Audit Agency.

In 1981, he was assigned the role of Chief of the Western Audit Region, based at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, California. Bob then returned to Norton AFB for four years as Deputy Director of Operations Directorate. In 1987, Bob was made Audit Director of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, based in Dallas, Texas. His final role before retiring in 1991 brought him back to Randolph AFB as the Chief Financial Officer for the Air Force Welfare Board.

Throughout his life, Bob gave his time generously, serving as Treasurer in numerous organizations, including four churches that he and Pat attended, and more recently as Accountant/Bookkeeper for Vet Triip. He also used his practical skills in building and carpentry, constructing wheelchair ramps with Habitat for Humanity. Over the years, Bob also volunteered at their churches using other skills – from teaching adult Sunday School, to painting the church, to cooking Thanksgiving Meals for 100+ people. Everything he tackled, he did with energy and enthusiasm.

Bob always had a project – from building the family’s first color TV to rebuilding his 1958 Corvette (more than once). He was known to rewire the houses they lived in, write accountancy-based computer programs, and even built furniture for their home, including his daughters’ bedroom furniture.

A meticulous, detailed person, Bob was also creative – making legendary treasure hunts for his grandchildren, coding computer programs to log his golf scores and crafting an amusing annual Christmas letter for friends and family. After Pat’s death in March 2026, Bob spent time writing his memoirs, capturing the stories of his childhood that he frequently recounted. He believed that he grew up at a time in American history that was unequalled and his recollections of his childhood and teen years reflect the charm, freedom, and fearless adventures of a boy in that era, the late 1940s and 1950s.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his beloved wife, Pat. Bob is survived by his three daughters, Jennifer Cremer, Karen Kauh, and Julie Cole; and his five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He will be deeply missed by their daughters, grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will take place on November 7, 2026, at 2pm at Porter Loring Mortuary North, with a reception to follow.

Interment will take place the previous day in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity.