Col. Robert (Andy) Andersen passed away on October 7, 2017 at the age of 94. He was born in Sturtevant, Wisconsin January 4, 1923. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was commissioned as a pilot at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant on April 15, 1944. He served in the Pacific Theatre as a P-51 fighter pilot, seeing action at Iwo Jima and the air-war over Japan. Col. Andersen separated from military service in 1945 but was recalled during the Korean conflict in 1953, and was stationed at James Connelly AFB in Waco, Texas, where he married the love of his life, Beverly. Following service in Korea he was among the first assigned to the new Air Force Academy as the Flight Section Operations Officer, where he served from 1955 through 1960. He was selected to attend the Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama, graduating in 1961. His next assignment was in Saudi Arabia as the Chief Advisor to the Saudi Air Force School at Jeddah, S. A. In 1962 he was stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas, serving as the Air Force Security Service Flight Division Officer. In 1963 he became the Command Flight Division Chief Operations Officer at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas where he served until 1969. From 1969 through 1971 Col. Andersen served as Commander of the 6985th Security Squadron at Eielson AFB, Alaska before assuming command of the 6990th Security Group at Kadena AFB, Okinawa in 1971, where he served until his retirement in 1974. Col. Andersen logged over 13,000 hours flying time and remained on active flying status his entire career. “Col. Andy” flew combat missions until the day he retired and was most proud of never asking his troops to do something he couldn’t or wouldn’t do himself. He was a decorated military veteran who was recognized for gallantry in the air war over Japan and awarded the Legion of Merit. He is survived by Beverly, his devoted wife of 65 years, his daughter Lynn Andersen and husband Abdoulaye Diatta of Ithaca, New York, son Cris Andersen and wife Laura of Boerne, Texas, daughter-in-law Karen Andersen and son-in-law Robert Briggs, both of San Antonio, and grandsons Paul, Timothy, and Andrew Andersen. He was predeceased by his son Dan Andersen and daughter Deborah Andersen Briggs. Viewing will be held at Sunset Funeral Home’s chapel from 11:30-12:30 on October 19, 2017, followed by a graveside service with military honors at Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Col. Andersen requested donations be made in his honor at a Hospice facility of your choice.
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