Col. Robert W. Chandler

Chandler, Col. Robert W. (USAF, Ret.), 68, military strategist, intelligence officer, professor, and author passed away of natural causes on April 28th at his home in Fairfax, Virginia. Col. Chandler was born in Oakland, California to Edwin W. Chandler and Dorothy Schwenk Chandler. He left home at the age of 17 and joined the Air Force. He found two great loves in his life: first, his beautiful Catalan wife, Esperanza Millas Estany de Chandler with whom he spent 44 years married having many great adventures before her passing in 2005; and, second, his passion for military and geopolitical strategy which he pursued to the very end. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in 1962, Officers Training School in 1963, two Masters Degrees and a PhD in Political Science from George Washington University in 1972. In his youth, he was an Eagle Scout. Over his 27 year career with the Air Force Col. Chandler was stationed in Bermuda; Benwah Air Base, Vietnam; Bentwaters AFB, England; SAC-Omaha, NE; The Pentagon; SHAPE, Belgium. As a strategist he worked inside the USAF, White House, Departments of State, Energy and Justice, and throughout the Intelligence Community. His dissertation was published in 1981 as the, War of Ideas: The U.S. Propaganda Campaign in Vietnam. The New Face of War was published in 1998 and Shadow World was published in 2008. Col. Chandler was an avid fan of European Soccer and a DC United season ticket holder. He found great joy in his dogs and was a supporter of animal rescue. He was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Vienna, Va. Col. Chandler is survived by his daughter, Karen Chandler Axelrod of Fairfax, VA, his three grandchildren, and his sister, Susan Keil of Santa Cruz, CA. Mass will be given at the Ft. Myer Chapel on September 1, 2010 with Interment following at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.