Robert Osburn Ballance Jr.

A Kind Man with a Loving Spirit



Lieutenant Colonel

Robert Osburn Ballance, Jr.

U.S.A.F., Retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert Osburn Ballance, Jr. (USAF ret.), age 75, of Montclair, Va., passed away Sunday, May 1, 2011, at Fairfax INOVA Hospital. At his side, was his dedicated and loving wife of more than 53 years, Nancy Wilson Ballance; his daughter Lisa Ballance of Montclair; two sons and their wives, Robert, III and Nancy Ballance of Stafford, Va., and Brad and Kristin Ballance of Fairfax Station, Va.; a sister, Jo Anne Mills of Nags Head, NC and his four loving grandchildren, Bobby, Brian, Aidan and Morgan. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was born April 2, 1936, in Manteo, N.C., the son of the late Robert O. Ballance, Sr. and the late Hilda Wise Ballance and the brother of the late William Davis Ballance. He was raised on the Outer Banks of North Carolina near the Wright Brothers National Memorial, where he developed a deep love for boating and flying. He graduated from East Carolina University (ROTC) where he met the love of his life, Nancy Wilson. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Air Force. From there, Bob and Nancy raised three children and lived on various Air Force bases throughout the country.

Serving twenty-three years in the U.S.A.F., LTC Ballance was a decorated combat veteran. As a navigator, he flew with the Strategic Air Command, first in KC-97s and then in KC-135s with air refueling squadrons. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller in OV-10s and 0-2s. From there, he was stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada as a Weapons Systems Officer in F-111s. After completing his tour at Nellis AFB he was selected for Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. The Tactical Air Command Headquarters was his next assignment at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. He retired from the Air Force after a tour of duty at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. After retiring from the Air Force, Bob worked for several defense contractors in Northern Virginia.

In the past, Bob served his communities within various organizations: Deputy Commander for the Manassas Civil Air Patrol, President and Zone Chairman for the Dumfries/Potomac Lions Club, a member of the Manteo Masonic Lodge #521 in Manteo N.C., the East Carolina University Alumni Association, National Sojourners, National American Legion, First Flight Society, Air Force Association and the Military Officers Association of America. He also served as a docent at the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum. Bob was a dedicated active member of the United States Marine Corps Memorial Chapel at MCB Quantico for 34 years, serving in many capacities.

Bob had many interests during his life. In addition to being a private pilot, he was an exceptional pen-and-ink artist with a love and great appreciation for all types of art. He enjoyed astronomy, archaeology and the study of biblical and world history. Bob was a kind man with a loving spirit and will be remembered for his deep love for family, country and friends. He will be forever missed by his loving family, and all who knew him.

Bob will be buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Details on the service and burial are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or the Azalea Charities (www.azaleacharities.org). Both organizations honor and empower wounded service members. Mountcastle Turch Life Celebration Home,

Dale City, Va. is handling arrangements. www.mountcastle.net





This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).