Robert E. Doehling

Retired Col Robert E. Doehling (Flyboy)

On April 25th, our beloved Col. Bob received his final orders, departing on his ultimate journey beyond the wild blue yonder.  In his lifetime, he had danced among the clouds, always returning home. This time, he soars into the great unknown.

Born on July 31, 1947, in Denver, CO, Bob was warmly welcomed into the family of Fran & Dorothy Doehling.  He was the cherished younger brother of Charles and Carol, and later became the caring older brother to John, born during the family's stay in Brazil.

Survived by Denise, his wife of 27 years, Bob was affectionately known as her “Flyboy”.  The spark between them ignited at an Oklahoma air show, with Bob standing proudly next to his F-15, exuding the charm of a more sophisticated Tom Cruise.  They quickly bonded in love and passion to travel the world.

Col. Bob's deep-rooted love for flying is best described by the words of pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr.'s famous aviation poem, “High Flight”.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air . . .

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark nor even eagle flew –

And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Bob’s captivating stories and laughter will be missed by his children Robert (Lisa), Dean, and daughter Jessica, and his grandchildren Jeff (Ashley), Zee (Isabel) and Linda Kathryn.  His memory will live on in the hearts of his large family, cherished life-long friends, respected colleagues, and the fellow pilots with whom he shared an unbreakable bond. Col. Bob is preceded in death by Linda (m. 1966 -1981) and Joan (m. 1981- 1995), as well as his parents, Dorothy and Fran.

Upon his 116th retirement, Col. Bob reflected, "I've always enjoyed everything I've done. There's been nothing bad in my career, nothing that I look back on and wish I hadn't done.  I wouldn't change anything.  "He held a profound respect for the Airmen with whom he served and often voiced his gratitude for their dedicated service. Humble in his service, when thanked, he would reply, “It was an honor, and it was the greatest job I ever had… they paid me to fly.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Operation Home Front at https://operationhomefront.org/

We invite you to join us in celebrating Col. Bob's life and sharing memories of him:

Celebration of Life Service:  May 20th at 12:00 PM at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home,                                 1405 E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL.

Dress is Florida Casual. As we celebrate his life and his journey to peace, please refrain from wearing black.

Internment Service:  June 3rd at 3:00 PM at Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave, Lakewood, CO.

Adios…Flyboy!  May you touch the face of God.

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