Colonel "Ret" Robert B. Bourne U.S. Air Force

Robert "Bob" B. Bourne age 83, of Lake Lure, NC, died Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

Robert B. Bourne, son of the late Robert Bruce and O'Neal Branch Bourne, was born on March 3, 1942, in Birmingham Alabama. He was raised in Raleigh, NC, graduated from Needham Broughton High School in 1960 and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Forestry from NC State University in 1964. The day after graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. The next day Bob and Teresa Updegraff were married and started their 28 years of military service together, adding two children along the way. He furthered his education over the years obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from Central Michigan University. Bob flew as a T-38 Instructor Pilot at Vance AFB in Oklahoma and Moody AFB in Georgia. He flew 199 combat missions as an F-100 Fighter/Bomber pilot in Vietnam. His courage and skill earned him some of this nation and Vietnam's highest honors. Col. Bourne was selected for the Air Force Institute of Technology Program. He flew as a test pilot and managed the Electro Optical Branch of Flight Test engineering at Wright Patterson AFB, OH helping to develop laser countermeasure systems to defend future aircraft from heat seeking missiles. He then transferred to the Space Launch Operations managing contractor performed operations in the launch of payloads on the Titan and Space Shuttle launch systems. He commanded the Air Force's three Space Launch Groups in launch of communications, weather and surveillance payloads. He retired from the Air Force in the rank of Colonel. Following his military career Col. Bourne worked for Lockheed Martin again launching government payloads into space and served as Launch Director for the International Cassini Space probe to the planet Saturn. Col. Bourne retired in 2002 and moved to NC where he immersed himself in volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. He was an active member of Fairfield Mountains Chapel including as a member of the choir. Col. Bourne concluded his military retirement speech with these four simple words, "I did my best". Those whose lives have been touched by Bob know that he never did less.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Bonnie Davis. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Teresa, his son, Daniel, his sisters, O'Neal Shipp, and Gerry Stamm (John), grandchildren, Rob Davis, and Julia Isakson, great-granddaughters, Layton and Laine Isakson, sister-in-law, Mary Gregg (Buddy), brother-in-law, Paul Updegraff (Ruth), and numerous nieces, and nephews.

The service will be held Saturday February 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Fairfield Mountains Chapel, 1384 Buffalo Creek Rd. Lake Lure, NC 28746 with Pastor Kevin Anderson officiating. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard will provide full military honors. The family will greet friends in the fellowship after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity, 269 W. Main St. Forest City, NC 28043, The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, or a charity of your choice. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.