Robert Dean Loukota (1934 - 2011)

Col. Robert Dean Loukota, 76, of Shalimar, Fla., made his way home to Jesus on Jan. 29, 2011, at 4:35 pm.
Robert (Bob) was an honorable, strong, patriotic and spiritual man. He lived his life by his principles and his principles were of the highest sort. He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He was born to Anna Marie Ernst and Jerry Joseph Loukota on Feb. 15, 1934, in the tiny town of Gross, Neb. Bob's dreams of flying airplanes were realized at the tender age of seven. He spent much of his childhood on a farm, at his parent's grocery store, or working on contraptions of the aeronautical sort. Bob graduated from high school in Spencer, Neb. He studied at Norfolk Junior College in Nebraska and Southern State Teacher's College in South Dakota. Bob's dreams of flying were coming true as he entered the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet program at Lackland AFB, Texas, in 1953
Bob attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management Engineering in 1963. In 1964 he became the first person in his family to earn a Master's Degree, which was a Master of Engineering in Aero-Space Engineering. His master's thesis, titled, "A study of atmospheric re-entry trajectories with special consideration of drag in the transition and slip regimes," was submitted to NASA by his professor and used by the space program for calculating the trajectory for rocket reentry from space. Bob also judged the International Science Fair in 1966. He graduated from Air War College in 1972, and flew as an electronic warfare officer in the Vietnam War.
Bob also worked on concepts for unguided missiles, which are still being utilized in modern warfare. He retired honorably from the Air Force with 26 years of service in 1979 as a full colonel. After retiring from the military and moving to Florida he started his second career as a systems engineer for industry. With a Teledyne Engineering company Bob worked on Star Wars Programs for the U.S. Army and later worked on GPS development. In 1996, Bob retired from Teledyne Brown. After retirement, Bob suffered some complications from an open heart surgery, which changed the pace of his life.
Throughout his life, Bob and his wife Pat, traveled the world by land, sea and air, visiting such places as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hong Kong, Alaska, Europe, Russia, South America and Canada, just to name a few. He developed a laugh so loud that it would make you jump right out of your skin, and ate chocolate in secret. He quickly became the world's best grandpa and he cherished every minute he had with family. Bob took up playing poker and that became a favorite pastime. In Bob's later years he became increasingly weak, but even more in love with life and his family. He truly seized every moment like it was his last. He wrote a quote three years before his death that rings true in his last days, "As we approach death, the pain we are about to leave has to make you want to look forward to heaven."
Bob leaves behind his wife, Patricia Lee; his son, Kyle Robert Loukota and his wife Sonny; daughter, Laurie Lynn Jolley and husband Chet; daughter, Shana Jill Gray and husband Leonard; daughter, Lee Michele Napier; son, Mitchell Burgess Loukota and wife Jennifer; son, Tyler Morris Loukota and wife Tracy; and daughter, Robin Loukota Baugh and husband Mark; 24 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Shalimar United Methodist Church, 1 Old Ferry Road, Shalimar, Fla., with Pastor Larry Bryars officiating. Burial will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Bob has requested, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to our local Children in Crisis center. Checks can be made out to SUMC, memo CIC for Bob. The address for SUMC is 1 Old Ferry Road, Shalimar, FL 32579.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.twincitiescremationsfunerals.com
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On 4/30/2011 22:07, Reg Urschler wrote:
Gents:  Need help here. We had an officer by this name in the 55th at Forbes arriving in 1955 with a group of new 2/Lt EW’s from Keesler. Paul Fortin and others were part of that group. I don’t have Paul’s e-mail address, nor Glen Duer’s, who also may remember “Speedy”, if this is the same individual.
I got the info from the most recent MOAA magazine and doubt there are too many folks by this name. Nick Yanuzzi would remember if he were still with us as he was in the same group.
I checked the web for deaths and hit a dead end. He birth date was February 1934 and death January 30, 2011 in Shalomar, FL. His social was 505-38-2444. Birth state IL. I seem to remember he flew with Bob Hubbard, but time has blurred precise info.
Any assistance or net working would be most appreciated.
V.O.,  Reg
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From: Reg Urschler <thegunfighter@cox.net>
To: paulfortin8948@yahoo.com; gduer@tbs.net
Sent: Sun, May 1, 2011 5:26:26 PM
Subject: TAPS Robert D. (Speedy) Loukota, Col., USAF (Ret.)
Paul/Glen:
Note below. Errol sent me your e-mail addresses. I believe this would be “Speedy” as we knew him at Forbes. If so, I also believe he should be recognized in our 55th Wing Association web page TAPS if in fact it was. I’m not too swift with the computer and would appreciate if either of you could follow-up with family members to determine if in fact this was the Robert Loukota with whom we served. I will send his obit with family which might provide a start. I thought it worth a try to remember...and acknowledge an old comrade….one of the many 2nd/Lts. who “invaded” Forbes, Summer of 1955 in anticipation of the new Wing mission. Here’s another r name that just popped in my mind…..”Buzz” Sawyer. Wonder what ever happened to him.
Take care….mad all the best.
V.O.,Regis
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From: Paul Fortin [mailto:paulfortin8948@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 9:15 PM
Subject: Re: TAPS Robert D. (Speedy) Loukota, Col., USAF (Ret.)
Reggie- Sounds like "Speedy" Loukota. Checked some old orders and a 2nd Lt. Robert D. Loukota, A03009143 was in my training group from Keesler that was sent to Forbes early in 1955 and a group of others that included "Buzz" Milton Sawyer, Darrel Wilt, Lew Adams, Bob Jurko, Adrian Weigart, Tom Everling, Charles Gosney(killed in crash at Ellsworth on Shirks crew), Nick Yanuzzi, etc. I forwarded this info to both Glen and Errol. Speedy along with others of us came up with a "Project Bounce" that gave us a precise altitude over the water during low level flight using EW equipment. He was a good EWO and a good friend in our days at Forbes. Sorry to hear of his passing. Hope this helps.

We will be at the reunion. Paul Fortin
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from:    GENE W MURPHY murfgw@msn.com
date:   Thu, May 5, 2011 at 12:19 AM
subject:     Robert D. (Speedy) Loukota, Col., USAF (Ret.)
Reg.
A little more info on Speedy. He was a ERB raven. And when I met him he was Bill Bobo's Raven two. Then just as my crew was coming up for tdy his crew returned and Speedy upgrade to LHO and I was moved to be his RHO. We worked on measuring the nav radar's return to obtain absolute altitude. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for documenting the procedure. Lost touch when I shipped out. As I recall he was from South Dakota or Nebraska, but was near the Nebraska - South Dakota border. Some where middle of the border. (fifteen minutes later) Found his Obit in Northwest Florida archive. Robert D. Loukota, Colonel, USAF, Retired Also in surfing saw that his wife Patricia is a retired Air Force Colonel also.
V.O.,  Murf
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From: kyle loukota [mailto:kkabota@live.com] 
To: thegunfighter@cox.net
Subject: Robert "Speedy" Loukota

          I believe you all are looking for my dad.  I did not know his call sign or much else about his time in the military.  He was at Forbes before I was born and married to Beverly A.  I would love to here some stories about my dad as I didn't know him that well after my parents separated.  My mother has before he did so I cant ask her.  Please respond with loukota in subject so I know it is you.  Let me know if you get this.  Thanks  
Kyle Loukota
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thegunfighter@cox.net wrote on Dec 1, 2011....

Kyle:
We were seeking info about him after he passed to determine if he was the same Robert Loukota we knew.
I served with your father at Forbes in the fifties and remember him well as we both were 2^nd Lts., arriving at about the same time in 1955. He was an electronic warfare officer in the other squadron (38^th) as I recall….although he may have been in my squadron the 343^rd. It’s been too long I’m afraid.  We never flew together so I have no stories to share. Sorry.
I have forwarded your request to others who may have vignettes or can forward to others who may.
Good luck,
Reg Urschler
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