Dr. Robert (Bob) Edward Pappas
August 30, 1952
October 18, 2018
Dr. Robert (Bob) Edward Pappas passed away in Salado, Texas on October 18, 2018.
Services will be held on Oct. 24 at the Historic Chapel at Salado United Methodist Church and conducted by Dr. David Mosser. He will be interred with military honors at the Salado Cemetery
Born in Shreveport, LA on August 30, 1952, he was the son of Col. Thomas R. and Esther R. Pappas.
Being a member of a military family, Bob lived throughout the United States and moved to Temple in 1966.
He graduated from Temple High School in 1970 and received a commission to the United States Air Force Academy from where he graduated in 1974. After graduation from navigational training at Mather AFB in California, Bob flew around the world serving on both the C-141 and C-5 aircraft at Travis Air Force Base, CA. While he served in the Air Force in California, he received his Master’s Degree at the University of Southern California.
Following his assignment at Travis AFB, Bob was the first Air Force Material Command liaison for the Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base, IL and created new acquisition programs that included the C-17 aircraft.
He was then specifically selected by the Air Force to obtain his Doctor of Philosophy Degree at Texas A&M in Management, and he received this degree in 1993. During his time at College Station, he taught for A&M; and he then taught higher level education at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He specialized in preparing the next generation of Air Force leaders on the principals of organizational behavior. During his tenure, Bob was named his department’s top professor by his peers and students.
After serving his country for 24 years, Bob retired with the rank of Major with military honors and returned to Salado.
Bob’s local interests included serving on the Board of Directors for the Bell County Sheriff’s Posse and being a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Associates.
He was also designated as a commercial pilot with certifications in instrument-multi engine, a certified flight instructor (CFI), a Certified Flight Instructor with Instruments (CFII), a Multi-Engine Instructor Pilot, and a Master Navigator.
Dr. Pappas also held the designations of Scuba Dive Control Specialist, Dive Master, and Assistant Dive Instructor.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Thomas and Pam Pappas of Salado, nephew Hunter Pappas and companion and caregiver Ann Aldrich Dunn.
Memorials may be made to Cal Farley’s Ranch; P. O. Box 1890; Amarillo, TX 79174-0001
Services are in the care of Broecker Funeral Home.