Ret. Rear Admiral Robert S. Lucas

Robert S. Lucas, 86 of Blanco, Texas passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2106 surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be Friday, July 15, 2016 at 10:30 AM in Crofts – Crow Funeral Chapel in Blanco, Texas.

Bob was born on July 6, 1930 in Hutchison, Kansas to Norman R. Lucas and Augusta Moore.
He was a graduate of Gresham Union High School in Gresham, Oregon. Appointed as Cadet in 1948, he graduated from the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and a commission of Ensign on June 6, 1952. His initial assignments were in Honolulu, Hawaii as Deck Officer aboard the United States Coast Guard Cutters FORSTER, VANCE and BUTTONWOOD, and in Seattle, Washington as Student Engineer/Assistant aboard the USCCC NORTHWIND and USCCC WACHUSETT. Next he was the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard LORAN Station ENTWETOK in the Marshall Islands. After serving as Executive Officer in Hawaii, he was sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received the degree of Naval Engineer and a Master’s Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He was then assigned to the USCCC WINNEBACO as Engineering Officer. He served his next tour at the First Coast Guard District, Boston, Massachusetts, as Assistant Chief and later, Chief of the Naval Engineering Branch. His next two assignments were aboard the USCCC WACHUSETT, first as Executive Officer and then as Commanding Officer for two years, including 10 months off the coast of South Vietnam. Next he served as Commanding Officer of the Resident Inspector Office in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he supervised the construction of the Cutters MUNRO, JARVIS and MIDGETT. He later became the Chief of Special Projects and Systems Branch in the Naval Engineering Division at Headquarters. He next served as Assistant Chief and as Chief, Naval Engineering Division. He spent three years at the Seventeenth District Office, first as Chief of the Operations Division and then as Chief of Staff. His next assignment was Deputy Area Commander of the Pacific Area. In May 1981, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and returned to Headquarters as Chief, Office of Engineering. In addition to receiving the Navy Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star while on board WACHUSETT during combat operations, he has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Unit Commendations, the National Defense Medal, Arctic Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with three Bronze Stars), the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals. Lucas was also entitled to wear the Coast Guard Cutterman’s Insignia.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Susan, and his wife Kay.
He is survived by his daughter; Jennifer Reyes and husband Jesse of Everett, Washington; a granddaughter, Kristen Sewell and husband Robert of Round Rock, Texas; a great granddaughter, Lilly Sewell of Round Rock, Texas; and dear friend Julianne Compere of Blanco, Texas.

Donations can be made to the Texas Heartland Animal Sanctuary, 245 Glenn View Dr., Blanco, Texas 78606.