May God bless you and your...
Rest in peace Robert
Nana
August 25, 2023 | Friend
0
1
Robert J. Hymel
Woodbridge, Virginia
About
LOCATION
Woodbridge, Virginia
Obituary
Send FlowersRobert J. Hymel was a young Air Force pilot when his B-52 was shot down by a North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile during Operation Linebacker II, an 11-day offensive in December 1972. Another American pilot cut Hymel from the wreckage after the bomber crash-landed near Hanoi.
They escaped before it burst into flames. Only two members of the five-man crew survived, said his wife, Beatriz "Pat" Hymel.
"He was administered last rites, and the doctors said they didn't even know why he lived," Beatriz Hymel said. "They thought maybe it was because he had never met his daughter," then only 2 months old.
"I feel like God gave us another 29 years," she added, noting that some of her friends lost their husbands in Vietnam. "Our daughter got to know her father and his granddaughter got to know her grandfather. When I really needed him in my life, he was there."
Robert Hymel was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and the Purple Heart for his Vietnam service.
His wife, an elementary school principal, said she served as a foil to her husband, whom she called "a bad little boy." In his younger days, she said he partied with military buddies on Friday and Saturday evenings, though still managed to attend church on Sundays.
He received a bachelor's degree in 1969 in industrial engineering from Southwestern Louisiana University and later obtained a master's degree in business administration from New England College.
Hymel, 55, of Woodbridge, Va., retired in the early 1990s as a lieutenant colonel after more than 20 years in the Air Force. He was working as a management analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon when it was attacked.
He was in the basement of the building and was preparing to move to a new workstation when the building was struck, his wife said. The new desk, which he was to occupy the following day, was in an area spared from destruction.
A daughter, Natalie Conner, also survives him.
Guest Book
In memory of a 9/11 victim and former Air Force member
September 07, 2019
0
1
Hi Pat - Remembering Bob today.
your cousin
Carmen Siminski
September 11, 2017 | PA
0
1
I pause today to honor all veterans, and to pay my respect to the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country. I am praying specifically today for Robert's friends and family. My Dad was in the Army, and one of his assignments brought us to Woodbridge, where I graduated from High School. I ask God's special blessings on Bob's wife and daughter today, may they have a special kind of peace knowing that there are many of us who will never forget that horrible day,...
Del Newberry
November 11, 2015 | Garland, TX
0
1
Met Bob may years ago in Del Rio, TX when he was visiting family. I was married to his niece, Nelia Robles, and being Air Force myself was very proud to have know him. Appreciate his service to our country and sacrafices he and his family had to make for our country. My prayers will always go out to Bob and Pat's family. May God Bless you all.
Charles Robertson
September 11, 2012 | Del Rio, TX
0
1
Mrs. Hymel
I am the pilot who flew the B-52 over Arlington to honor your husband at his funeral. My wife, youngest daughter and I visited the Pentagon memorial for the first time when were in DC this weekend--it is a beautiful tribute to all who were lost. We made it a point to find Lt Col Hymel's bench and I said a prayer for him and you/your family. It was our great honor to fly the bomber over Washington that day as a tribute to your husband. I brought along an American flag on...
Col (ret) John Stuwe
April 30, 2012 | Elkhorn, NE
0
1
Mrs. Hymel and family, I just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers go out to you, especially today. I recently learned about your husband from my dad, who was a B52 pilot in Linebacker II and was flying the same time your husband was shot down those many years ago. It made me so proud to think what your husband, my dad, and so many others did and are still doing for all of us.
My dad is also from Louisiana and lives in Woodbridge, so they had a lot in common. I pray that...
Dana Hodges
September 11, 2010 | Christiansburg, VA
0
1
To the family of Robert J. Hymel:
Robert gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. My deepest sympathy to you. We must never forget!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Peggy Childers
September 12, 2009 | Carson City, NV
0
1
Pat, I think of you and Bob often and espacially today. We had such great times and laughs. My heart is heavy today with the thoughts of your loss. All my love, Sue St.Peter
Sue St.Peter
September 11, 2009 | Parker, CO
0
1