Dr. Robert (Bob) Pappas

Dr. Robert (Bob) Edward Pappas passed away in Salado, Texas on October 18, 2018.
Born in Shreveport, LA on August 30, 1952, he was the son of Col. Thomas R. Pappas and Mrs. Esther R.
Pappas. Being a member of a military family, Bob lived throughout the United States and moved to
Temple, Texas in 1966.

A 1970 graduate of Temple High School, Bob was fourth in his graduating class. He was the Tri-Captain
of the varsity football team, where he was also named as a Scholar-Athlete. During his time at THS, he
was President of the National Honor Society, sophomore class president, and recipient of the
Scholarship Jacket.

Upon graduating, he 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 in1993. 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, Texas.

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.
Bob’s other love was scuba diving, and he held the designations of Scuba Dive Control Specialist, Dive
Master, and Assistant Dive Instructor.

Dr. Bob Pappas leaves behind a host of friends and family that include his nephew, Hunter Pappas; his
companion and caregiver, Ann Aldrich Dunn; and his brother and sister in law, Thomas and Pam Pappas.
His pallbearers are Jim Kelly and Brendan Kelly from Altus, OK; Jim Fiorenzi from Pueblo West, CO; G.T.
Devorsky from Austin, TX; Mike Jennings from Moffat, TX; and Larry Williams from Salado, TX
Bob’s services will be held on Wednesday, October 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.

Bob requests that memorials be sent to Cal Farley’s Ranch; P. O. Box 1890; Amarillo, TX 79174-0001
 

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