Robert Alan Mirrielees

Dr. (Colonel Retired) Robert Alan Mirrielees, 63, of Rapid City, S.D., passed away unexpectedly at his home on Aug. 8, 2008.Dr. Mirrielees was a retired United States Air Force Colonel with more than 28 years of Active Duty Service for our great nation. After retiring from his last duty assignment as Command Dental Surgeon for AMC HDQ at Scott AFB, he worked full time at the Rapid City Community Oral Health Center for the State of South Dakota. Alan was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 22, 1945.He is survived by his wife, Amanda Tisdale Mirrielees, whom he married on March 10, 1991, in St. Augustine, Fla.; their two sons, Ryan Alan Mirrielees, born Aug. 14, 1992, and Samuel Alan Mirrielees, born Feb. 23, 2000; his father, Robert Kelly Mirrielees, 93, who resides with his sister, Elizabeth Mirrielees Sganga of Ridgefield, Conn.; and his brother, Bruce Mirrielees of Ft. Thomas, Ky.Alan had an exuberant and vibrant personality with a zest for living and was a friend to all who knew him. Dr. Mirrielees was a stellar athlete and recruited to Memphis State University on a full basketball scholarship where he lettered for four years. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in business management from Memphis State. He then went on to serve four years in the USAF from 1967-1971 during the Vietnam War. After his tour of duty, he then went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky’s Dental School in 1978 and was re-commissioned into the Air Force in 1981. Dr. Mirielees’ Air Force career took him to many corners of the world, including overseas assignments to Italy and Korea. Not only was he an excellent practitioner with great patient rapport, he held many strategic positions of command in the United States Air Force Dental Corps. He is remembered fondly by the Airmen who were privileged to serve with him. Alan’s dedication to duty was recognized by many awards and decorations, to include eight meritorious service medals.The highlight of Alan’s life was his marriage to Amanda and the subsequent birth of his sons, Ryan and Samuel. He was a dedicated man whose every actions were in the interests of his family. He will be greatly missed by all fortunate enough to have known him and to have shared in his life.Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City with a Christian wake service at 7 p.m.Mass of Christian burial will be offered 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Rapid City with Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek presiding.Interment will be in the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors provided by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard.Memorials have been established to Black Hills Children’s Home Society and the American Heart Association.Friends may sign his online guest register at:www.osheimschmidt.com.