Chaplain Bob Alan Chaffee, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (retired) died October 3, 2017 following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

He passed peacefully at home in the arms of the love of his life, Bobbi.

Bob was born November 20, 1929 in Leonardville, Kansas where he grew up and worked on the family farm.

He went to Westmar College in Iowa where he met Bobbi.

They were married before the start of his senior year.

He followed his life's calling attending seminary, first in Austin, Texas then transferring to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he earned a master's degree in 1956.

He served in pastorates in Manor, Pennsylvania; Galena Park, Texas; Dallas, Texas and Cedar Rapids, Iowa before joining the Air Force as a chaplain in 1965.

He served at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, California before reassignment to Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Saigon in 1968.

He was stationed in New York, New Jersey, Spain, Colorado, and England before his final assignment at MacDill AFB.

In 1986 he retired from the Air Force and remained in Tampa where he served several area churches in different capacities to include Kirk of the Lake, Covenant and First Presbyterian Church of Tampa.

Bob's numerous military decorations and awards include: the Bronze Star; Air Force Meritorious Service Medal; AF Commendation Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Air Force

Overseas Long Tour Ribbon; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and Republic of Vietnam Medal of Honor.

Since retiring from the pastorate, Bob enjoyed traveling in his RV (until the kids said "no more") and serving on the board of his beloved Tan Son Nhut Association as the advisor/chaplain and wrote a monthly column for the association's newsletter, Revetments.

Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Roberta (Bobbi); son, Nathan of Tampa; daughter, Faith Kanno (Neil) of Alexandria, Virginia; grandsons Michael Kanno (Sophia) of Chicago and Jason Kanno (Elizabeth) of Alexandria; cousin, Jack

Stout (Jodele) of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elvin and Juanita and his brother, Roger.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Coalition for Appalachian Ministry, Cabin Crafts, a mission near and dear to Bob's heart. 1329 Wears Valley Road, Townsend, TN 37882