Robert A. Bunker, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)

October 21, 1925 – May 03, 2004

SANTA FE, N.M. — Lt. Col. Robert A. Bunker USAF (Ret.), 78, died May 3, 2004, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Memorial service was held May 7, 2004, at French Mortuary, Santa Fe. Burial was in the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Bob was born Oct. 21, 1925, at Yankton to Donald A. and Josephine (Sievertson) Bunker, who were Yankton natives.

Upon graduating from Yankton High School with the class of 1944, Bob enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program, receiving his Commission and pilot’s wings in 1945.

Col. Bunker was recalled to active duty with the United States Air Force in 1951, retiring in 1971. Bob spent a tour of duty as a helicopter pilot with Air Rescue Service in Alaska. He spent several years at Andrews AFB, Md., where he was assigned to the prestigious VIP helicopter flight. He spent a tour of duty in Hawaii during the early space program recovering space capsules that splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

Bob was assigned to fly “Jolley Green Giant” rescue helicopters at Da Nang Vietnam in 1967. He was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for rescuing downed aircrew members behind enemy lines.

Bob is survived by three children: Nancy (Tom) Watts, Dulces, N.M.; Margaret Dorneden, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Kevin (Debra) Bunker, Parker, Colo.; three grandchildren: Ashley Dorneden, Rebecca Bunker and Estevan Bunker; two sisters: Dorothy Bunker (Lt. Col. C.R. “Bud”) Artley, Whitefish, Mont.; and Donna Bunker Davidson, Red Bluff, Calif.; and two nieces and five nephews. Yankton Press & Dakotan

Major Bunker was a HH-3E helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War with the 37th ARRS in 1967.