Col Teddy Gerhart Tilma

Colonel Ted G. Tilma, known as “Mr. Rockhill" went to manage, mentor, train, teach and educate those veterans who are no longer with us in his perpetual home with our Gracious Lord and Savior.

His outstanding 30-year career in the Air Force stretched all over the world where he obtained military awards and decorations which include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force commendation medal plus numerous other official alcaldes. Col. Tilma was born April 4, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Wichita State University and a master’s degree in personnel management from Central Michigan University. He completed Squadron Officer school, Air Command, and staff college plus Air War College. He received his commission through the Air Force reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1967 and he was assigned to the 3560th flying training wing, Randolph Air Base Texas as a wing information officer and later served as chief of information. In 1970 Colonel Tilma was chief of information, Webb Air Force Base Texas and then assigned to Kessler Technical Training Center as Chief of Information with additional duties of aide de camp to the Center Commander.

In 1972 Col. Tilma was transferred to Lackland AFB where he served successively as an officer training school flight commander, chief of scheduling division, wing protocol - special projects officer, and wing executive officer. Col. Tilma moved to, Sheppard AFB in 1975 and served as director of information for the Air Base, South Korea, as, Chief information and wing executive officer.

After returning to the United States in 1978, Col. Tilma was appointed to the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. He served as deputy chief, special branch, community Relations Division until 1980, when he became deputy chief of the Support Forces Branch Media Relations Division.

In 1981, he returned to Randolph Air Force Base and was assigned to headquarters Military Personnel Center as chief of the Public Career Management team and chief of the management officer assignment section, support officer assignments.

In 1985 Col. Tilma became director of public affairs for the Alaskan air command, Elmendorf AFB, with additional duties as director of Public Affairs, Alaskan NORAD region. He became commander of AFBS in 1988 and Vice commander of Air Force News in 1991. Col. Tilma was promoted to Colonel in 1988 and assumed his command in 1992.

As advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff for planning, implementing, and monitoring public relations functions and supporting Air Force programs. Col. Tilma was recognized as an expert counselor with capacity to motivate students toward superior performance. For his impact on Military training and emergency aid, he was awarded the Best Public Relations Officer of the year.

Before his death, July 19, th 2023, Col. Ted G. Tilma was commander of the Air Force News agency and commander of the Air Force Broadcasting Service, based at Kelly AFB. The Air Force News is the field operating agency of the secretary of the Air Force director of public affairs, responsible for managing a variety of services wide public affairs programs and products, including the AF broadcasting service, AF internal information program and the Army and AF hometown News Service.

The AF news also manages the AF public affairs computer resource management for its worldwide organization, including the regional public affairs offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

As commander, Col. Tilma centrally managed and directed worldwide Air Force armed forces command emergency information to the department of defense members and their families.

Col. Ted G. Tilma was an important and instrumental part of the Air Force with and his abilities and duties to communicate and command. He will forever be remembered as he platformed changes that are still in place today.

He always considered it an honor and a privilege to serve his country and fellow servicemembers as an Air Force officer. Col. Tilma is survived by his loving wife “Tee” McAllister Tilma, son Todd Tilma of Japan, sister in laws, Annette Slater, Melody Patton and husband Gary, stepson Phillip McAllister and niece Adona Lowery and husband Mark Lowery and nephew Conor Lowery. Additional family, Brett Patton and wife Courtney, Chase Patton, and wife Brianna. Arrangements with Sunset Dignity Memorial Park and funeral home with memorial service to be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery shelter # 5 on Wednesday, August 9th, 2023, at 2:45 PM. You are invited to sign the guest book at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com A reception for family and friends to visit and celebrate Col. Tilma’s life will be held at the Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels, Suite 700 San Antonio, Texas 78217.

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