Robert Bland

08/03/1921 - 10/09/2010

Robert Bland
August 3, 1921 - September 25, 2010
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 9, 2010, at the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Hall for Robert Bland, who died Saturday, September 25, 2010.
Robert "Bob" Bland was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 3, 1921, to William Bland and Florence (Orinsky) Bland. Following his parents' divorce at the age of three, Bob and his mother returned to her family's home in Cleveland, Ohio. Bob lived there for most of his formative years and was raised by his German grandmother, grandfather and four uncles. When Bob was 16, he hitchhiked across the country from Ohio to Los Angeles to locate his father, with no luck but with much adventure. A quick learner and always industrious, as a young man Bob worked numerous jobs selling fruit, setting pins at the bowling alley, and ushering at the Warner's movie theatre. At the advent of World War II, Bob joined the Army Air Corps and, in early 1943, found himself on the way to Europe as a crewmember on a B-25 bomber stationed on the island of Corsica.
During the war in Europe, Bob received two Purple Hearts and completed 75 combat missions. Upon his return to the United States and the end of the war, Bob returned to the Cleveland area. He drove a hook-and-ladder for the Cleveland Fire Department until the outbreak of hostilities in Korea when he joined the local Air Force Reserve and was recalled to active duty. He was stationed in Frankfurt flying as a crewmember on a C-119 aircraft when Bob had a chance meeting with a pretty German girl, Ursula Weidner. He fell head-over-heels in love. After a whirlwind courtship and much red tape and paperwork, they were married in Frankfurt, Germany, on December 23,1952. Ursula remained his constant companion and the love of his life until her death in 2007.
With his new bride Bob returned to the United States, stationed at Lowry AFB, Colorado, now training in the missile career field. After the birth of their daughter Heidi in Denver, Colorado, a transfer and the birth of their second daughter Andrea in Orlando, Florida, the Blands eventually found themselves stationed back in Germany. In 1961 Bob became a member of an alert missile crew at Sembach AFB in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
A five-year tour in Germany provided many opportunities for travel and exploration in the old Rambler station wagon. A few years after the birth of Bettina in Langstuhl, Germany, Bob and his family were assigned to Vandenberg AFB, California. In April 1966, the family made the return trip to the United States on the great ship the SS United States and drove cross country from New York to California in his brand-new pride and joy, a Mercedes 250S, which he picked up at the Mercedes factory in Stuttgart only weeks before their move and which he lovingly maintained until his death. Bob served in different capacities as a member of the 6595th Missile Test Wing at Vandenberg AFB until his retirement as Chief Master Sergeant in August 1976.
As a civilian, Bob acquired both his real estate license and a bachelor degree from Chapman College. He was an avid and eager student, taking classes at night and whenever he could find the time. The advent of the Space Shuttle Program at Vandenberg prompted Bob's return to the aerospace field, first with Martin Marietta Corp. and later with the Lockheed Corp. Following the end of the shuttle program at Vandenberg, Bob decided that his retirement would be permanent. He and Ursula continued to live in both Lompoc and Vandenberg Village. Bob spent his days doing what he loved best: gardening, reading, attending Lompoc Chamber of Commerce mixers with his wife Ursula, taking picnics, visiting with friends, cooking, and his greatest passion, traveling to distant and exotic places.
Bob was the life of any party, an amazing storyteller, avid reader, explorer of new places, friend, historian, critic, cook, husband, brother, father, and grandfather. He lived his life with passion and gusto and had the desire to get the most out of any situation. He loved fast European cars, enjoyed good food, and believed "life is too short to drink bad wine." He loved spending time with his friends and family and treasured the times they spent together talking at the dinner table. For most of his life, Bob got almost as excited as a child at Christmas time. He was a true renaissance man with a vast knowledge of an incredible variety of subjects. He had a nearly perfect recollection of his long and interesting life and enjoyed sharing his memories. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a great love for automobiles and aircraft and could fix just about anything as long as he had a roll of duct tape and a few simple tools. He was romantic and generous and loved a good joke. He cherished the time he spent in Germany, and his travels with Ursula around the world provided some of his fondest memories.
Bob is survived by his half-sister Joyce Lombardo of Ohio, daughter Heidi Woodmansee and son-in-law Russell (Santa Cruz), daughter Andrea Bland (Lompoc), daughter Bettina Bentley and son-in-law Joey (Desert Hot Springs), and his beloved grandchildren Chloe' and Maia Woodmansee, Chance Caouette, and Joshua and Jesse Bentley. He also leaves behind numerous friends and acquaintances throughout the Lompoc Valley. His adored wife Ursula, mother Florence, father William, grandparents and uncles all preceded him in death.
At his request, Robert's ashes are to be scattered at sea. Where his spirit soars, he will be at peace, together with Ursula again.
There will be a gathering to honor and celebrate his life and to share memories of him on Saturday, October 9, 2010, at 2:00 pm, at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Cancer Society.