Robert Bruce “Bob” Tilley of Crestview, Florida, peacefully passed away on October 18, 2024.
Bob was born on September 25, 1957, to Phoebe and Donald Tilley in Hartford, Connecticut and had happy memories of the Mohawk Drive neighborhood, brimming with carefree children playing among the community from sunrise until sunset.
Bob left the Farmington area directly after high school to chase his passion for art for two years, working tirelessly on the Playhouse Square Project in Cleveland, Ohio where he worked restoring ceiling and wall murals, doing gilt work, and building grand staircases.
He then joined the United States Air Force to become an Electronics Technician responsible for installation and maintenance of telecommunications and radar systems. His exciting career took him worldwide with assignments in Japan (Yokota AB and Camp Zama), Germany (Wüschheim AS), South Korea (Camp Red Cloud), as well as Delaware (Dover AFB), Kansas (McConnell AFB), New Jersey (McGuire AFB) and finally, Florida. Bob’s last assignment was at Eglin AFB in 2001. Upon retirement from the USAF in 2006, with the rank of Master Sergeant, Bob joined the Civil Service at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) working advanced weapons technologies until his retirement in 2021.
Bob had a brilliant, passionate mind brimming with creativity. Throughout his life Bob immersed himself in art, cooking, golfing, sports and music.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of thirty-six years, Noriko; his sons, Paul Sho and Sean Koji; his sister Pam Lindau (Brör III); his sister, Saundra Ruzbasan (Stephen); his brother, David Tilley (Terri), his nieces, Heather, Meghan, Michaela, Shaina; and his nephews Christopher, Brör IV, Brian, Tyler, Zachary; and extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bob can be made to Help Hope Live at https://helphopelive.org/campaign/24653/
Edward Caldwell
October 27, 2024, 4:20 pm
Bob worked for me while in the Air Force. He was an outstanding Electronic Technician, always displaying his professionalism as an Air Force NCO. He could always be depended on to do the job right. We became good friends and we attended many Nascar races when he was stationed at Dover AFB. I will surely miss Bob, but he is in good hands now with our lord Jesus Christ. Rest in Peace my friend. Chief Ed
Mrs. Z
October 29, 2024, 10:44 am
Love and prayers for Mrs. Noriko and the boys at this time. I don’t ever remember meeting Bob, but he has a fine family that represents him well. Love y’all. Mr and Mrs. “Z”aring (former bus driver and substitute teacher)
Jeff Holmes
October 31, 2024, 10:32 pm
Knew Bob and his family for over 20 years and we lived in the same neighborhood for most of that time. Hung out, played a lot of golf and watched our kids grow up together. Bob was as fine a fellow as anyone could ask for in a friend. Truly a “shirt off of his back” kind of guy. You will be missed. Rest in peace, brother.
Jerry m
October 31, 2024, 10:33 pm
Bob was a great friend. We had many good times at foxwood country club on the course as well as many conversations on the 19th hole lol. He will be greatly missed.
Dawn Card
November 1, 2024, 1:36 am
Bob taught me many life lessons in his tour here at Dover AFB… from electronics to cooking to good credit scores and nice cars! He was a mentor and friend. He and Noriko gave us the best tour of Germany! Although his tour at Dover was short, our friendship was lifelong. Prayers to the entire family! Dawn, Brad, and family.
Bob Beckman
November 11, 2024, 8:56 pm
Bob’s path crossed with mine for a short time. We were 2 Competing Staff Sergeants sent to a place without a job. Both of us had “Newbie” foreign wives and we all were trying to see where we fit in. Well, we found a place to fit in and it was Dover AFB. Bob was always doing something to help out the squadron. From delivering pizzas to the Air Traffic Controllers and Dormitory Residents to the Monthly Bitch sessions at the NCO club sponsored by the Booster Club. Of the ones that were sent to Dover by mistake I was the 1st to leave and only was able to visit him one more time when we were both stationed in Germany. Thought of him quite often and I still do. He is one of the good ones.
Rick Cornacchini
November 13, 2024, 8:47 pm
I spent a lot of time with Bob and Noriko. Bob was a great friend and coworker. We were assigned together at Dover AFB. We shared an interest in the same professional sports teams. We bowled together for the squadron and also on the mixed doubles league, Bob was a competitive bowler. He was well known throughout the squadron. He would support the squadron in many ways attending booster club meetings, softball games, etc. My thoughts and prayers go out to Noriko and her family at this time of sorrow.