Col. Robert E Booth took his last flight west on Sunday, October 21, 2018. Born January 6, 1918 in Fremont Ohio to William and Hazel Booth, he was preceded in death by his wife and soul mate, Gene in 2010. He is survived by his sons Robert and William and daughter Deborah, as well as six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Following high school, Bob attended Ohio State University, where he played the tuba in the OSU marching band. With World War II looming in 1940, he quit school to join the Army Air Corps where he earned his pilot wings in class 40-F at Kelly Field in San Antonio. By 1945 he was a Squadron Commander on the new B-29 Super fortress flying missions out of North Field on Guam. At the wars conclusion he was tasked with dropping relief supplies to just released Allied POWs in Japan. He considered this to be one of the most fulfilling moments of his life.
Bob met the love of his life, Imogene Kinnison, while instructing at Kelly Field in 1942. They were married in Fremont Ohio, and were together for 68 wonderful years.
Following the war, except for a brief stint flying DC-3s for Capital Airlines, Bob remained in the soon to be USAF. His assignments included Washington DC, Washington State, California and Japan, where he retired in 1965. In retirement, he and Gene enjoyed a very happy and contented life in San Antonio, hosting an annual Roaring 20s party as well as volunteering each year to man a Booth during Fiesta Days along the River Walk. Beyond his first love for Gene, Bob was an avid golfer and rarely missed a televised Spurs game.
Funeral services will be held at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, November 14 at 11:15 AM.
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