Robert Wallace Ginn

Robert W. Ginn, Col. USAF Retired, died peacefully at his home on July 25, 2023. Robert was born on September 14, 1931 in Minneapolis, MN to Everett and Eleanor Sweet Ginn. He was married 53 years to Berta (Alberta) Ginn and graduated from the University Of Connecticut College of Agriculture in 1953.

Bob completed flight training and earned his pilot wings at Williams AFB, AZ in 1954. His follow-on assignment took him through T-6 instructor training at Craig AFB, then onto the 7330 Flying Training Wing in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, “Operation Hot Rock.” This operation was in support of the Mutual Defense Assistance Pact which afforded 1st Lt. Ginn the unique opportunity to fly with and train former Luftwaffe pilots in the T-6 (Mk IV) and T-33 aircraft.

Assigned to Kelly AFB, Bob flew the F-94 Scorpion, then moved onto the 1607th Air Transport Wing, flying the C-124 ("old shaky") and the C-133, where he not only delivered cargo worldwide but was instrumental in Titan II ICBM schedules for different bases.

In 1962, Capt. Ginn moved to Little Rock, AR as the Missile Combat Crew Commander for the 308th Strategic Missile Wing; highlights include SAC crew of the month in 1965, along with Operational Test Launch “Red Wagon” of a Titan II from Vandenberg AFB, CA.

Major Ginn moved on to the 3630th Flying Training Wing as an Instructor pilot in the T-37 with the new German Air Force training program; he was subsequently assigned to the T-38 as the Chief of the Standardization Evaluation Division, and authorized to wear the German Air Force Senior Command Pilots badge.

1969 found Lt. Col. Ginn on his way to the Republic of Korea (ROC) as Air Liaison Officer to the III ROC Corps.

Next was a follow on assignment to command the 571st Strategic Missile Squadron, 390th Strategic Missile Wing, at Davis Monthan AFB. Col. Ginn finished his Air Force career as Commander of the 308th Missile Maintenance Squadron Titan II in Little Rock, AR while his wife and children stayed in Tucson.

Robert returned to Tucson in 1974 and soon assumed ownership of a Fixed Base Operation, which served as an approved flight training school and air taxi operation, where he also flew as a charter pilot.

In 1984, Bob joined Flight Safety International as a Learjet Flight Instructor. He retired from FSI in 1994. Between 1955 and 1994 he accumulated a total of 8000 flight-time hours.

He was a witty, intellectual man with seemingly more stories than could be told. He leaves his family with wonderful memories and, as an avid photographer, a lifetime of photos of his career, travel, and family most of all.

Robert is survived by his children, Melissa (Bob) Adkisson of TN, Dr Pamela Ginn (Dr Kevin Hahn) of FL, and Cindy Ginn of AZ. Also Lisa Ginn daughter in law of CO, and niece Jennifer Dougherty of CT. Robert was also blessed with 14 grandchildren: Garrett, Joshua, Holder, Jerah, Eleanor, Rosario, Tanner, Colter, Eva Mei, Shelby, Robert, Frances, William, and Griffin; and 4 great-grandchildren: Charlie, Hyde, Logan and Benjamin.

Robert is preceded in death by his loving wife Alberta June Ginn in October 2008 and his loving son Robert W Ginn Jr in May 2015.

The family is thankful to Amedisys Hospice for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Pima Air and Space Museum.

Private services have been held with the family.

A public celebration of life is to be held Saturday, August 5th from 9-11am at Savava Coffee (2959 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712).

As Bob would say, "It was good to be seen.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Ginn family.