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)