Lt. Col Robert "Bob" Kemmerer III passed away on January 26, 2012. He fought a battle with cancer and was winning the battle, only to pass as the result of a head injury sustained from a fall. He was laid to rest on February 13, 2012 at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery with Full Military Honors. I can not think of anything my father enjoyed more in life than flying the C-130, except maybe for instructing young pilots how to fly his beloved airplane. I hope he made a great impression and difference in your lives. I was looking over some of his flight books from Vietnam and found the following written in one of the books. I know for my dad to write this, it had great meaning to him and I would like to share it with all of you.
Lord, guide and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces of the sky;
Be with them traversing the air
In darkening storms or sunshine fair.
Thou who dost keep with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight,
Thou of the tempered winds, be near,
That, having Thee, they know no fear.
Control their minds with instinct fit
What time, adventuring, they quit
The firm security of land;
Grant steadfast eye and skillful hand.
Aloft in solitudes of space,
Uphold them with Thy saving grace.
O God, protect the men who fly
Through lonely ways beneath the sky.
-Mary C.D. Hamilton (1915)
Rest In Peace, Dad. You will be greatly missed. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO!!!!