Colonel Robert O. McCartan

Colonel Robert O. McCartan was born in Douglas, Arizona in 1929, at the height of the Depression. Growing up in Douglas during that era and witnessing WWII as a teenager had much to do with structuring his life. He grew up with a deep respect for family and country and an abiding patriotic sense of responsibility—a mainstay of the small town of Douglas during those years. Graduating from Douglas High School in 1947, he worked as an apprentice carpenter for a year building houses. In 1948 he entered Arizona State University, graduating in 1952 with a bachelor's degree with emphasis on architecture and construction. He was commissioned through ROTC as an Air Force second lieutenant. McCartan entered flying training later that year. His first assignment was in SAC at Davis Monthan AFB flying the new sleek six-engine B-47 jet bombers. While in Tucson he met and married Marcia Dabel who was originally from Wisconsin. Marcia was employed by the Tucson Citizen Newspaper as Assistant Woman's Page Editor. Marcia and Bob had three children: Michael, an American Airlines captain residing in Mansfield, TX, with his wife, Samantha; Carrie Robinson of Flower Mound, TX, with her husband, Chris; and Andrew (A.J.), with the City of Phoenix, residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife, Susan. Marcia and Bob were blessed with five wonderful grandchildren: Christopher, 25, Caroline, 22, Jack, 17, Megan 15, and Sara 13. Colonel McCartan's career took the family to Dyess AFB, Texas in 1960, followed by a four year assignment as an instructor at the Air Force Academy. Upon completion of Armed Forces Staff College in 1967, McCartan was assigned to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing in Takhli, Thailand, where he flew 156 combat missions in EB-66 aircraft, all of them over Laos and North Vietnam. His next assignment was on the Air Staff as an action officer in the Flying Training Directorate at the Pentagon where he was the prime mover and responsible for the procurement of 19 Boeing 737 training aircraft and accompanying simulators for the Air Force. The multi-million dollar program arrived on schedule and with no cost overruns. Following a four-year Pentagon tour, he was promoted to colonel and assigned to Mather AFB as the Director of Operations for the 323rd Flying Training Wing. From 1975 to 1979, Colonel McCartan commanded the 1141 Special Activities Group, Stuttgart, Germany. From 1979 until his retirement in 1980, he served as Commander of the 3400th Technical Training Wing, Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado. Colonel McCartan earned a masters degree in 1965 from the University of Denver. He had over 5,000 flying hours. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Colonel McCartan was the first military recipient of the Norman P. Hays Award in 1974. The award, presented annually by Rockwell International was for "outstanding encouragement, inspiration and support contributing to the advancement of worldwide navigation." Bob is a member of the "Order of Daedalians". Following retirement from the Air Force, McCartan moved to Vail, Colorado where he indulged his love of skiing. He journeyed back to Tucson in 1984 where, for the next 10 years was employed by Burlini Silberschlag, a commercial architecture firm. McCartan had many hobbies foremost among them was skiing, designing and building southwestern furniture, and creative writing. He wrote his memoir, My Journey, in 2004 and later published three successful novels: Noble Cause, European Intrigue, and Fly Me, all centered around Air Force flying. He authored many articles on flying that appeared in national trade and professional periodicals. Bob's love for his family, his friends and his country were always uppermost in his mind. His favorite pastime—dining out with family and friends. Arrangements by Bring's Broadway Chapel. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity benefiting military members or their families.