Bob Boland

Major Robert Lowrey Boland, Sr. (Bob), USAF retired, of Columbus, MS, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, at his residence at the age of 91 (just nine days short of his 92nd birthday) after a seven- month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He is now in heaven because he knew Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He was born in Calhoun City, MS, on November 22, 1932, to Eugene Almarine Boland and Bonnie Eddith Burson Boland. 

He graduated from Calhoun City High School in 1951 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Mississippi College in 1954. Later he received a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. 

Robert entered the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet Program July 15, 1954, graduated from Pilot Training and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and rated pilot November 1, 1955. He completed Advanced Instrument School and Advanced Fighter Pilot School in F-86 Sabre Jets in April, 1956, at Tyndall AFB, Florida. His first assignment was in the 329th Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he flew the F-86 and the F-102 Delta Dagger, followed by numerous fighter assignments including 68th Fighter Squadron, Itazuke Air Base, Japan. 

In 1961 he met the love of his life Lou Boland. They were married June 3, 1962, and were assigned to Tyndall AFB, Florida. Robert flew three fighters there—the F-101, F-102, and F-106, and was deployed in support of the Cuban Bay of Pigs operation and the Cuban Blockade. 

His next assignment was as the F-106 Flight Test Officer at Duluth Air Base, Minnesota, and Maintenance Officer at Chunute AFB, Illinois—then a deployment on short notice to Vietnam as Air Liaison Officer, Forward Air Controller (FAC) (remote) flying the Cessna O-1E Birddog in 1965 and FAC duty at Quang Tri, Dong Ha, and Khe Sanh along the DMZ. The year was a nightmarish one, but Robert survived and earned the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and 14 Air Medals while flying over 350 missions. 

Robert was assigned to Galena Air Station, Alaska, in 1967. He was deployed to Korea as an Air Force Liaison Officer (ALO/FAC) (remote) for the Pueblo Operation with the US Army 3rd Brigade along the DMZ from January through June 1968. From June 1968-1972 he was assigned to Hahn Air Base, Germany, flying F-4E Phantoms. From Germany he was often deployed to Spain, Libya, North Africa, and Italy. 
Robert and Lou had their first child, Robert, Jr., in 1963, and a daughter LuAnne, in 1965, born while Robert was in Vietnam; she was eight months old by the time Robert came home from Vietnam and saw her for the first time. 

Robert was a faithful Christian and served the Lord as a deacon in Northern City Baptist Church, Duluth, MN, Hahn English-speaking church in Germany, and First Baptist Church, Columbus, MS. He enjoyed photography from 1948-2024. He was an Eagle Scout. He was a life member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Association, Daedalians, Air Force Association, Gideons, and Mississippi College Alumni Association, among others.

After 22-1/2 years, he returned to Columbus, MS, in December 1976, and worked as Contract Manager of Flight Simulator, Visual Services, and Photo Lab, at Columbus Air Force Base for over 20 years. 

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ivy Lounez West Boland (Lou), his daughter LuAnne Boland Matos (Jim), two grandsons who were the delight of his life, James Robert Matos and Patrick Henry Matos. Also survived by wonderful nieces and nephews and cousins and by his sister-in-law, Virginia Boland. He was predeceased by his son Capt. Robert L. Boland Jr., USAF, his sister, Bonnie Gene Boland Fesmire and her husband Bill Fesmire, and brother, Edwin A. Boland. 

Special thanks to caregivers Annie Rush and Teresa Aqlan who cared for him day and night for several months and to Gentiva Hospice for their service. Also special thanks to Drs. Whitecar and Skurti for their care and treatment. 

Service will be at 11 o’clock, Monday, November 18, at the former First Baptist Church Sanctuary, 202 7th Street North, with visitation from 10-11. Interment will be at 2:15 p.m. Monday at Vance Cemetery in Calhoun County. 

Pall Bearers: Jim Matos, Jamie Matos, Patrick Matos, Allen Boland, James Fesmire, and Jeff Stanford. 

Honorary Pall Bearers: Boardman Adams, Dr. Larry Doolittle, Dr. Bobby Douglas, William Fesmire, Bill Frosch, Jearl Hunley, Paul Jonson, Mike Lofton, Dr. Shawn Parker, Jim Prouty, Mike Round, Dr. Perrin Smith and Sunday School Class, Jonathan Statham, and Gary Stewart and the Up and Down Veterans’ Coffee Group. 

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the charity of your choice.