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James Risner Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for James Risner
28 Entries
Pamela Folenius
November 12, 2019
Remembering our History and The lessons that We all should take to heart about the Value of Life and Honor. Thanks for Writing the Book to shed Light on The Cost of War and Wisdom and InSight to provide the MAP to our Leaders and Those that should examine the Importance of factoring the Lessons of History and The Value of People in their Decision-Making.
JAMES OHARA
February 6, 2014
I served in the 67th TFS in Okinawa in 1967-68. Col. Risner had been the Commander of the 67th prior to his being taken POW. Although I didn't arrive until over a year later, he was a legend. When I found out that Gen. Risner was on the cover of Time magazine in 1965, I purchased a copy of the cover, called the General and asked him if he would be so kind as to sign it. He did and I had it framed. To this day, it hangs over my desk as one of my most prized possessions. God bless you General Risner all those men and women who also served and made my service so memorable.
Jim O'Hara ( [email protected] )
ELAINE FRYER
January 24, 2014
I AM ELAINE FRYER , FROM OKLA. CITY. MY HUSBAND WAS ARMY, MP, STATIONED ON OKINAWA AT THE SAME TIME THE RISNER FAMDILY WAS ON ISLAND. WE DIDN'T MEET UNTILL THE FAMILY CAME TO OKC TO LIVE , AFTER GENERAL RISNER WAS RELEASED, HE SPOKE TO HUNDREDS AT THE NAZARENE CHURCH. OUR THREE CHILDREN SAT ON THE FLOOR AT THE GENERALS FEET. THERE WERE A LOT OF TEARS. THE FOLLOWING DAY , OUR DAUGHTER, JANIE, WHO WAS A BROADCASTER FOR A CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION,WAS ASKED TO INTERVIEW A VIP. SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T--- 'KNOW ONE' WE REMINDED HER OF WHOM WE HAD HEARD THE EVENING BEFORE. HE RISNER'S NUMBER WAS UNLISTED . THE CHURCH PHONED THE GENERAL, TELLING HIM ABOUT JANIE'S NEED. WE RECEIVED A CALL IN A FEW MINUTES TO SET UP A TIME FOR A VISIT . WE ALL WENT. THE GENERAL AND JANIE SAT IN THE DINNING ROOM, WHERE THERE WAS QUIET. MRS. RISNER AND I VISITED IN THE LIVING ROOM. OUR SON, WAYNE, AND DAUGHTER,BECKY, TOOK THE RISNER CHILDREN TO THE YARD FOR A PLAY TIME TILL THE INTERVIEW WAS OVER. JANIE ASKED QUESTIONS FOR NEARLY TWO HOURS AS GENERAL RISNER . SITTING ON THE FLOOR AND LEANING AGAINST THE WALL ; SEEMING TO BE GLAD TO UNLOAD. YOU SEE---HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO THE FLOOR AND A WALL. HE HAD NO CHAIR IN HIS CELL. MY CHILDREN AND I HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. STRANGELY ENOUGH, IT TOOK A WHILE FOR ME TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT I HAD BEEN A PART OF. MRS, RISNER AND I WERE VISITING ABOUT A TOTLLY DIFFERENT WORLD--OUR FAMILIES---WHILE OUR CHILDREN WERE PLAYING . LOOKING BACK ON THIS,THERE WAS A DAY FOR US TO REMEMBER,AND NEVER TO FORGET. THIS STORY DOESN'T END HERE. OUR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, BECKY, AND GENERAL RISNER WROTE TO EACH OTHER FOR ADOUT THREE YEARS. SHE HAS KEPT HERS. I HAVE COPIES OF THESE LETTERS. THEY ARE REAL TREASURES. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THE RISNER'S SON ,DANNY AND HIS FAMILY WERE MEMBERS OF MY CHURCH ; HERITAGE BAPTIST ; FOR A TIME. ONCE WE HAD THE GENERAL AS A GUEST FOR ARMED FORCES WEEK. HE TALKED TO US ABOUT HIS TIME AT THE HANOI HILTON-SPEAKING ABOUT HOW HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND HE TALKED ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN TIMES WERE THE WORSE. WHEN OUR GRAND DAUGHTER FINISHED HI SCHOOL IN LUBUCK, SHE ASKED THE GENERAL TO SPEAK TO HER CLASS. YOU GUESSED IT. THE RISNER'S SPENT A LONG WEEK END WITH MY FAMILY. TO HAVE HAD THE JOY AND HONOR TO HAVE KNOWN A HERO LIKE THIS MAN--WELL THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS IT. THE THING I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER IS WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY .YOU ARE A REAL HERO. I THINK YOU MUST HAVE FOUND A COMFORTABLE CHAIR BY NOW--NO NEED TO SIT ON THE FLOOR AND LEAN AGAINST THE WALL. YOU'RE HOME AND SAFE WITH OUR LORD JESUS. THANKS AGAIN.
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November 11, 2013
My family lived next door to then Col.Robinson in Okinawa. I will always remember when he became missing in action and then we were told he was a prisoner of war. My family kept him in our prayers. My father would watch the news each evening hoping to hear he was released. When my father, Lt. Col Eric Linden saw him walk off the plane, he wept. My dad rarely cried. God has called both my parents home and I know when my dad saw "Robbie", as he knew him , in heaven he would have given him a salute and then a hug. On this Veterans Day my entire family says thank you and God bless.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all of you. We know that you will forever miss him until you see him again one day in heaven.
Sally Linden Shaw-Orlando, Fl. Cathy Linden Gibbs-Winter Park, Fl. Eric Linden-Lake Mary, Fl. Carl Linden -Yorktown, Va.
Robin Butler-Lancaster
November 5, 2013
Tim/Danny,
So sorry to hear about your dad. I still remember when he came home and how excited we all were. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Clint Risner
October 30, 2013
Sending my condolences to the Risner family, I met Robbie in Dallas when I purchased eight of his books The Passing of the Night. I am a distant relative. Great loss for the Risner family and Air Force.
Scott Chamberland
October 30, 2013
Rest in Peace
Don Romine
October 28, 2013
My thoughts, Love and prayers goes out to the Risner family, we have all lost a true hero.
Michelle Bayh-Wagner
October 28, 2013
Robbie was my Sunday School Teacher in Austin, TX. He & his wife would host youth parties or even a Christmas party at their home in Austin. When I joined the AF, I surprised him in Pastor Jack's office & Robbie was sitting on the edge of the desk talking. He stood up & turned to see me in my AF dress blues & walked over to me, tears on his cheeks to hug me. We talked & he told me to stay safe always, then he went & got his book, autographed it for me & gave it to me. I did stay in touch with him for a while but not often as he aged. Robbie was an amazing person, very quiet, his faith was a great part of his foundation & he rarely spoke about being a POW, he did tell some stories in Sunday School & one I remember the most was how you could use spitting as a language.
God has a very special angel now. He was one the most amazing & kind people I have ever met.
Lisa Roller Patrick
October 28, 2013
Danny,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Barbara Bartlett
October 27, 2013
I wore Robbie Risner's POW bracelet for years, until I added my brother's bracelet and wore them both honorably. Rest in peace, Gen. Risner. Thank you for your service.
High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth.
….Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
Keith Acheson
October 26, 2013
God bless warriors like General Risner. God now has a great man in heaven.
Jim Maguffee
October 25, 2013
Uncle James once told me,after l became disabiled with a spinal cord injury,that if he could make it through what he had been through that surely God would help me get through this as well. Those kind words probably saved my life. He helped me renew my faith in God through his strong faith. We loved and appreciated what you sacrificed for your family and your country. In our minds you will always be a great American hero. God bless you and keep you in Heaven.
John Wright
October 25, 2013
I am humbled to have served in the Air Force at the same moment in time as General Risner. He epitomized the American dream that I grew up with of needing only the desire in order to succeed. God Bless.
Mike Dugan
October 25, 2013
I was lucky enough to have served in Vietnam while Robbie was a POW.
I later read his book.American has truly lost ONE OF THE BEST.
God bless you and your family at this most difficult time.
Maggie Pitt
October 25, 2013
I'll never forget how happy I was for your family when your dad was released! God Bless you all!
Donita (Matheny) Mooneyham
October 24, 2013
Though I have not seen Robbie in many, many years, I have wonderful memories of his visits to my dad's church in Tampa. He is now rejoicing with my dad and mom around the throne of God.
Bill Schwertfeger
October 24, 2013
I've know Robbie for quite sometime and he is truly an American Icon, National Treasure, Hero, and Friend. Robbie is now Soaring and Slipping the Surly Bonds, as he has now Reached Out and Touched the Face of GOD. GOD speed Robbie, We the People of this Great Nation has truly Lost One of the Best.
GBU
Bill Schwertfeger
October 24, 2013
Danny, sorry for your loss. Blessings to the family.
Bob O'Bar
Dave and Pat Matheny
October 24, 2013
So sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that your family will be in our prayers. We still have our autographed copy of Robbie's book and wonderful memories of him playing with our "little elfin, Michelle" during the time he was stationed at McDill AFB. What a wonderful friend. His promotion just makes heaven even more precious.
Greg Karnes
October 24, 2013
Danny - I was so sorry to hear the news about your dad. I still have an autographed copy of his book in my office. I have browsed through it as recently as a month ago. I have wondered many, many times if I could have endured the kind of conditions that he did.Your dad was one of my heroes.
John Walthour
October 24, 2013
Sad for the loss but so very grateful such men lived
Eva Marlene Risner-Greene
October 24, 2013
So sorry for the loss of such a great hero.
Jo Peters
October 24, 2013
My prayers to the Risner family. I vividly remember my father (a Viet Vet) watching as Mr. Risner landed back in the U.S. tears pouring down his face. He said "there is a true hero". Mr. Risner was that, a man in all senses of the word. What he gave for his country cannot be summed up in a few short words, but he deserves the respect of all. God Bless you Mr. Risner as you are wrapped in the arms of his love when you enter heaven. Finally at total peace.
Michael Wofford
October 24, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
October 24, 2013
God Bless you General Risner. America has lost a true hero
October 24, 2013
terry and phil green - austin,texas "a true hero"
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