Col. Robert Old

Colonel Robert Q. Old, USAF (RET) passed away peacefully at his home on August 22, 2015, at age 90. A resident of Palmyra, Tennessee, “R.Q.” was born on May 14, 1925, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to John Ballard Old and Helen Shields Old.

Cremation will follow with a private family memorial at a later date.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of forty-two years, Jean Ruth Old, his parents and two sisters.

R. Q. is survived by his four children, Suzanne J. Old of Downingtown, PA; Robert Q. Old, Jr. (Pam) of Lafayette, LA; John R. Old and James W. Old (Tina) of Colorado Springs, CO. R. Q. is also survived by his loyal K-9 companion, Maggie, and his best friend Terry Self, as well as numerous neighbors and friends.

Colonel R. Q. Old graduated from pilot training in December 1944. He had various stateside assignments until discharged in March 1946. He subsequently joined the 452nd Bomb Wing. A reserve unit stationed at Long Beach, CA flying the Douglas B-26 tactical bomber. The unit was called to active duty on July 10, 1950 for duty in Korea where he flew 64 combat missions and as a forward controller, jumped with the 187th Regimental Combat Team at Munsan-Ni.

His long USAF career took him to Vietnam in the late-1960s where he flew 210 missions, mostly night, in the Martin B-57.

He is a graduate of the National War College and after a medical retirement from the Air Force in 1970, served as the Republican Staff Director of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee.

In August 1998, “R.Q.” was elected and served as the County Commissioner, District 6 for Montgomery County, TN.

In August, 2002, “R.Q.” and his friend and co-pilot, Bob Burdette were appointed by the Governor for the State of Tennessee and Flight Across America to be the Tennessee flag bearer carrying the Tennessee state flag to New York for the first year anniversary of 9/11 wherein all states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia participated.

R. Q. was a proud supporter of all veterans and veteran affairs and all the men and women currently serving in the armed forces.

“Retirement” was a word that did not exist in R.Q. Old’s vocabulary. R. Q. began his passionate interest in private flying, vintage motorcycles, cross-country dirt bike racing, and traveling on his road bikes after public service.

His military decorations include command pilot with 275 combat missions, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross w/2 OLC, the Air Medal w/14 OLC and the Meritorious Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, US Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation, WW II Victory Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon.

Not many people are blessed to call their Dad a legend, and even a smaller amount are able to share that with the rest of the world, but today we are humbled by all the love, kindness, support and prayers that we have received on behalf of R.Q.

We would like to extend a very special “thank-you” to Dr. Robert Hudson and his staff, Gateway Medical Center and the wonderful Fourth Floor re-hab unit, Gateway Home Health, Amedisys Home Health Care, and Aseracare Palliative and Hospice.

Memorial contributions on behalf of R. Q. may be made to Gateway Home Health, Amedisys Home Health Care and Aseracare Palliative and Hospice. Cards of condolence may be sent care of Nave Erin Chapel, 4639 West Main Street, Erin, TN 37061.