Lt. Col. Robeson S. Moise, United States Air Force, Retired

Loving Husband, Father and Grandfather Robeson (Bob) S. Moise, age 85, of Kansas City peacefully passed away September 7th 2016. He was born to Robert E. and Beryl S. Secrest on July 21, 1931 in Atlanta, GA. He was later adopted by Stanley C. Moise. Bob grew up in Memphis, TN.

He was enrolled in the US Air Force R.O.T.C. program and graduated from the University of the South, in Sewanee, TN with a Bachelor’s degree in history. While in college Bob spent his summers fighting forest fires in Oregon.

After Graduation, Bob was Commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, earned his flight wings and was voted Airman of the Year. He took a duty assignment in France working in a troop transport division. While in France Bob assisted the Country of Italy in some emergency situations and was awarded the Italian Service Medal by the Italian Government. Bob was then transferred to Brooks Air Force base outside of San Antonio, TX. At Brooks, he met his future bride Aileen on a blind date.
Bob and Aileen were married on September 24th 1960. They transferred to McGuire Air Force base in New Jersey. In 1962 and 1963 Bob was assigned to and served in the Vietnam War. He served as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Air Force and flew missions with the original “Dirty Thirty “squadron. He was awarded the Air Medal and Vietnamese flight wings.
Upon returning to the US, Bob was assigned to Memphis, TN. While stationed in Memphis Bob attended Memphis State University and earned his Master’s degree in history and lead the R.O.T.C. program there. After a short Command and Staff duty assignment in Montgomery, AL, Bob earned the recognition of Distinguished Graduate.

Bob’s next duty assignment was the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. During the four-year assignment at the Academy Bob earned his Jump Wings and was promoted to Lt. Col. He was assigned as flight instructor for Academy Students. He then accepted a duty assignment in Bangkok, Thailand and was the Chief Protocol Officer for the USAF and US Embassy. After two years in Bangkok, he returned to the US and was stationed at Richards Gebaur Air Force base in Kansas City. He was the head of military and civilian personnel assigned to the base. In 1975 Bob retired from the Air Force.

His work history after the Air Force included teaching at Longview Community College, leading the R.O.T.C. program at Ruskin High School and working for Saudi Arabian Airlines for 10 years. There, he helped establish the Airline training programs and assisted the Saudi government in airport infrastructure in conjunction with the US. Federal Aviation Administration Department. Bob finished his working career as Professor of Aviation for the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO. Bob also served as President of Toast Masters, Board President of Young Life, President of The Red Bridge Lions Club, President of Ian’s Rainbow Flu Foundation, Deacon and Elder at Colonial Presbyterian Church, was a member of the National Lymphoma Society and earned an Education Specialist Degree at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Shirley Secrest and grandson Ian Moise. Bob is survived by his wife Aileen, children; Glenn, Alanna, Sheryl and grandchildren; Sean, Ryan, Trevor, Jordan, Shelby, Faith and Mason.

Visitation will be held at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home at 14275 S. Blackbob Road in Olathe, KS from 1:00-3:00 Sunday, September 11th. A Celebration of Life will be held at Colonial Presbyterian Church (95th and Wornall) on September 24th at 1:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Foundation Scholarship Fund in memory of Robeson S. Moise (in memo). The funds will be designated for the Aviation Flight Program and will help support students who have a passion for flying airplanes like Bob did.

He fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.