In Remembrance Of
Robert Sternecker
Obituary for Robert R. Sternecker as written by himself.
MSgt. Robert R. Sternecker, USAF Retired
I was born in St. Louis, MO on 14 January 1922. I had one brother, who was 5 years younger He died in October 2002.
After attending Grade School in St. Louis, I enrolled in Hadley Vocational School, where I studied aircraft mechanics. In out junior year we alternated a month in school and a month at the Naval Air Station at Lambert Field under the guidance of Naval mechanics. I graduated from Hadley in January, 1940.
I enlisted in The US Army Air Corps at Chanute Field, IL on 28 January 1940. We received two weeks of basic training at Chanute before transferring to a school squadron in preparation to begin aircraft mechanic training. The short basic training was a snap for me since I had received a month of Infantry at CMTC in July 1939 at Jefferson Barracks, MO.
After completing the Aircraft Mechanics Course in December 1940, I was retained at Chanute and assigned as an instructor in the course. This was a change of orders as I was to be transferred to Kelly Field, TX as an Aircraft Mechanic.
In June 1941 I transferred in the Maintenance Shop where I helped make mock-ups and cut-a-ways for the classes. I was promoted to Private 1st Class with a 4th Class Specialist rating. Now I was “in the chips”, $51.00 a month!
In October 1941 I was transferred to Keesler Field where a new aircraft mechanics school was being started. After 7 December 1941, drastic changes occurred. One change was the school was specializing in one type of aircraft. Keesler was assigned the B-24 and several airworthy B-24s, as well as parts, arrived. I requested, and was assigned to, a B-24 as a crew chief. A Copilot training unit was established and I became a Flight Engineer on B-24s.
Advancement in grade was also rapid after 7 December 1941. I rose through the ranks to Tech Sergeant by December 1942.
One of my requests for transfer was finally approved and I departed Keesler for Langley Field, VA on 1 August 1945. Japan surrendered while I was in route. After several months at Langley, I reenlisted and was assigned to Elmendorf Field in Alaska. President Truman signed the order designating the United States Air Force as a separate branch of the armed forces in September 1947 while I was in Alaska. I was no longer in the Army!
Like all military personnel, I had many moves. I was stationed at Tinker AFB, OK in 1950 when I was promoted to Master Sergeant. That was also the year that we received our blue Air Force uniforms.
During the Korean Conflict, I was stationed at Whelus AFB in Tripoli with an Air Rescue Squadron where I was a Line Chief over SA-16s, H-5s and a C-83. The squadron made several rescues of personnel out of the Mediterranean Sea while I was stationed there.
I retired from the Air Force while in the Air Defense Command at Richards-Gebaur AFB, MO on 31 August 1962.
I had obtained the FAA Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic Certificates where in the Air Corps and Air Force, and was able to gain employment with the FAA, maintaining their Flight Check Aircraft at Fairfax Airport, Kansas City, KS the end of September 1962.
In June 1972 I transferred to the FAA’s Flight Standards District Office as a General Aviation Airworthiness Inspector. While in the position I learned to fly and obtained a Commercial Pilot’s Certificate with Instrument Rating. The Inspector position required a lot of travel. Quicker to fly than drive!
I required quadruple bypass surgery in September 1987. After that, I could not keep up the pace required by my position, so I retired from the FAA on 3 January 1988.
My first wife and I had 3 children, Richard, Paula and David. Richard worked for TWA for 35 years at their Overhaul Base in Kansas City, MO. He died in 2008. Paula taught school and David is a Civil Engineer. They all married and had 2 children a piece. My 6 grandchildren have married and have given me 9 great grandchildren. (Since he wrote this, he also has one great-great grandchild)
My first wife and I were divorced in 1972 and I met Jeanne in the summer of 1979 and we were married in December 1979. After recovering from the bypass surgery and renewing my FAA Medical Certificate, we bought a 1975 Model, Cessna 172 and did a little traveling.
We moved to Mesa, AZ in 1992. We sold the 172 in 2003 and spent our time volunteering. Jeanne was a RN and I told her I lived this long because of her excellent care.
There are other events in his life that could be shared, but these were the ones that he felt were the most notable, so his obituary will be left as he wanted.
Visitation at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville, MO December 17, 10:00 am. Burial at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association.
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9 comments
Diana Estrada
Bob,
I’m so very thankful our family got to meet and get to know you a little bit. I could see just how happy you and Jeanne were together. This warmed my heart.
One particular memory I have is when the two of you came to visit. I was getting ready to make breakfast and I asked if there was anything you didn’t like. You said you’d eat anything. I thought what a gentleman and wonderful person you are. And silently wished my husband was like that.
I feel deeply that you and Jeanne are together in Heaven I pray we will all be together someday. For now please give our children a big warm hug from all of us. And tell them we love and miss them dearly
Love Always,
Diana, John, BJ & Niesje
Ethel Joanne Demerse
BOB, was my neighbor in Mesa. Visited with Bob and Jeanne often. After Jeanne died, I would check in on him and take him on errands. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Bob and Jeanne are together again , with the Lord . Praise God!
Lydia Jensen
Before I read his obituary I knew he was an amazing man. I didn’t know him, except through my friend, Christa Sternecker Newsome. I’m sorry for your loss, but you can certainly rejoice in the life he lived and what he shared with you.
Gene Sullivan
R.I.P Bob
Connie "Sue" Collins
Prayers for all the family and friends. He sure had an interesting life.
Chrissy klein
My deepest sympathies to the whole family . You’re in my prayers .
Robert Eli Perkins
Bob Sternecker was my neighbor in Leisure World AZ for these past four years. I enjoyed visiting him, petting his little dogs Taco and Bonita, and swapping stories. Often I stood retreat whenever I happened to be outside while Bob performed his daily ritual of lowering the flag in his front yard. Bob used to worry about his dogs bothering me with their barking, so I assured him they were no bother; in fact, their happy barks always meant he had come outside to sit on his back patio, where I could step over and visit with him. Bob had extensive life experiences and the memories that come with them. I made it a point to collect aircraft news and information to share with him, knowing it would stir up some of his memories. He was a great talker once we got a good topic going. I heard about his life and travels. I miss those talks already. My wife and I were also privileged to know Bob’s wife, Jeanne. We felt his grief at her loss. Bob would often ask why he lived so long, but it seemed he had other people to share his memories and insights with. My wife and I were glad to be among them and to have known Bob in the twilight of his life.
Kathleen Quintini Kluttz
Prayers to all of you during this time
Cindy Amacker
Dear Robert Sternecker.
It will be a week today since you have left our lives. You are a kind and gentle man and I will dearly miss you. I will miss the times that we spent together and the laughs we had and the stories that we told.
I was your for caregiver but I felt more like your friend I started working for you in June for a couple days a week and then when your caregiver left I started working 5 days a week with you eventually because the other caregivers didn’t work out I started working with you 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 4 months and I enjoyed every minute of it. I took care of you in your last hours for almost 4 months and got to know you pretty well.
You were always so sweet and never want want to inconvenience me you felt that I did too much for you already but you never inconvenience me I enjoyed doing everything that I did for you I would do it over again if I had the chance.
I am happy that you’re with your wife Jeannie up in heaven and I know that’s what you longed for so I was sad at the beginning but was happy that you got your wish.
I love you dearly Robert Sternecker and you will never be forgotten in my heart.
Rest in peace my friend.
Love Cindy.
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