Robert Phelps Moody

Funeral: 11:00 am Monday, March 7, 2016 at Moore Funeral Home Chapel. The interment will take place in Salem, South Dakota.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name can be made to WoundedWarriorProject.org

Bob was born on September 30, 1922, to Leslie and Donna Moody, in Brookfield, Illinois. After graduating from Lyons Township High School and Lyons Township Junior College in LaGrange, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps (later USAF) as an aviation cadet in 1942, and received his officer's commission and pilot's wings in 1943. He became an advanced single engine fighter pilot instructor at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas, for the duration of WWII. While at Randolph, he met the love of his life, Darlene Stark of Unityville, South Dakota, when they were both in the Randolph Field Chapel choir. After marrying, Bob and Darlene had four children: Robert "Chip" Phelps Moody II (1947-2001), Kelly (1948), Katharine "Kate" (1950), and Bruce (1954). During his career as an Air Force pilot, Bob had many assignments, including Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Hickam Field in Oahu, Hawaii, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., as a member of the American Embassy's Military Assistance Advisory Group (M.A.A.G) in Brussels, Belgium, as a Commander of James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas, as Commander of the Air Force Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas, and as Professor of Aerospace Studies and Commander of AFROTC at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. While in Washington, he received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, and his Masters of Arts Degree in Public Administration from George Washington University. Among many other awards during his Air Force career, Bob received the Army and Air Force Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1973, Bob served as a pilot instructor at the American Airlines Flight Academy in Ft. Worth, Texas, until 1991. Bob enjoyed traveling, especially to Abaco Island in the Bahamas and Acapulco, and maintaining the family farm in Unityville, where the family would gather yearly to celebrate the 4th of July and visit with their many life-time local friends and relatives. Bob has been a devout Christian since his youth, and attended First Methodist Church in Arlington. Bob continued to fly regularly, attended the Oshkosh Air Show annually, and enjoyed playing poker, collecting flags, stamps, coins, writing letters and was a loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He and Darlene continued to sing in their church choirs for many years, and Bob was a regular member of the men's chorus in Vaudevillites in Columbus. Bob enjoyed friendships over the years, and was loved and respected by all.

Bob loved his family, loved life, counted his many blessings daily, and lived by his personal motto of "Don't Postpone Joy!" He was an amazing man and such a wonderful role model to all of his children each day of his life. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him. His favorite poem "High Flight", written by American pilot John Magee in 1941 while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force in England, is especially poignant now, as the poem's first line is: "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth..."

He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Darlene, son Chip (Vikki), and brother Thomas (June) of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Survivors: brother Leslie Jr.; sons Kelly (Nyssa) and Bruce (Karen); daughter Kate Holbert (Bard); grandsons Trae, Paul (Katie), and Sam (Anna); granddaughters Tiffin and Brooke (Chad Lloyd)' great-granddaughter Parker Katharine Lloyd.