On January 27, 2024, Brigadier General Robert "Bob" W. Kennedy, USAF (Ret.), 94, of Pensacola Beach, FL died at his home.

Bob was born on December 22, 1929, in Saint Louis, MO to Harry and Harriet Kennedy. At age 18, he entered the US Navy V-5 program in 1947, entering active duty as a Midshipman in 1949 at Pensacola NAS, FL. He met his bride-to-be Mary Sabra Sanchez in June of 1950, marrying her on December 22, 1952. Later that year, he entered the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program.

General Kennedy earned his wings and commission at Laredo Air Force Base, TX, in February 1953. In his 29-year military career he flew over 30 aircraft, including the F-80C, F-86/A/E/F, F-100, F-203, F-105D/F, B-25, B-26, C-45, C-47, C-54, C124, H-A9, SA-16, T-6G, SNJ-4/5/6, T-28, T-29, T-33, T-39, U-3, PA28-RT Arrow III, and the PA32-300R Lance.

Bob worked many interesting jobs his entire life. As a child he worked as a theater ticket usher and soda jerk. While saving for college he worked as a gandy dancer (early railroad worker) and as a seal skin blubberer in Alaska for the Fouke Fur Company at the Pribilof Islands in the Bearing Sea. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK; a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Guidance and Control from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH; and a Master of Business Administration degree from Auburn University, AL.

Shortly after earning his USAF pilot wings, he was assigned to Korea with the 39th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), 51 FIW. After his arrival, the Korean War ended, and he spent his tour flying east and west coast patrols of North Korea. During a flight scrambled from Suwon Air Base, he intercepted a Mig-15 making a high-speed approach toward Seoul, with the defecting pilot landing at Kimpo AB.

From May 1964 until December 1966, he was assigned to the Air Force Avionics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as the satellite interceptor project manager. In January 1967 he received F-105 training at McConnell Air Force Base, KS, and was subsequently assigned to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. He flew 100 combat missions over North Vietnam from July 1967 until he returned home safely to his beloved family in March of 1968.

General Kennedy is a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal. He was promoted to Brigadier General on August 1, 1977. After retiring from the military, Bob served as a corporate executive in the aerospace industry, working on the Light Helicopter (LHX) and F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter.

Bob and his beloved wife enjoyed their friends and traveling around the world. On Pensacola Beach he enjoyed walking, swimming, working out, and having breakfast with his friends at The Native Café.

General Kennedy is survived by his son, Kevin Kennedy (Vira Maruli); daughters, Kellie Hicks (Jay) and Tina Hicks; grandchildren, Sabra Dake (Kyle), Brandon Hicks (Kayce Terpening), Jayson Hicks, and Bob Hicks; four great grandchildren, Colin Dake, Addison, Bowen, and Bella Hicks.

Visitation will be held 10:00am until a Funeral Mass begins at 11:00am Monday, February 19, 2024, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze, FL, with Msgr. Luke Hunt celebrant. Private interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate .