Page created by: Mary Jo Meloy

Robert Duane Meloy passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025 at the age of 75 years. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary Jo Meloy; son Keith (Heather); daughter Kelly Meloy; son Kevin (Jessica); granddaughter Kayla and sister-in-law Margaret Lyons of Cleveland, Ohio.

Bob graduated from Kent State University with a BBA and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force in 1972. Stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in Arizona, he was assigned as a Titan II Missile Launch Officer. In 1974 and 1976, he was selected to compete in Olympic Arena, the Strategic Air Command's Missile Combat Crew Competition where he was a recipient of the 15th Air Force Crew Excellence Award. At Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, as an Airborne Missile Launch Officer (ALCS) he pulled alerts for the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Minot AFB, North Dakota. He became a Flight Commander at Lackland AFB, Texas where he was an Officer Training School (OTS) academic instructor. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the Pilot Association and was also an aircraft owner (Piper Cherokee). While serving at Dyess AFB, he was active in Dyess AFB Little League and basketball as a coach and umpire and also coached for Big Country Soccer Association. Bob was passionate about serving his country and he proudly served in the Air Force for 12 years with honor and distinction.

He received a Master of Arts degree and continued his life of service and commitment through a successful career of applying his skills and leadership to support the nation's defense industry. As a systems analyst, he worked on B-1B defensive avionics at Eaton Corporation in New York. He also served as project manager, program manager, proposal author and consultant at similar east coast companies working with diverse programs such as the A-7 CAST Tester, Cat’s Eye Night Vision Goggle Test Set, iris scan biometric identification and underwater breathing apparatus. He accepted employment at Lockheed Martin in Texas where he worked on the F-2, F-16 and Joint Strike Fighter Programs and was recognized with a LM Spot Award and the Aero Star Award. After 23 years of employment with Lockheed, he retired in 2021.

Bob’s tour of duties in the US Air Force and his civilian career employment afforded the opportunity to reside in various parts of the country and to travel. Bob visited almost all of the 50 states. As an avid motorcycle enthusiast, thousands of those US sightseeing miles of experiencing scenic byways with brilliant blue skyways were traveled via motorcycle while listening to the Beach Boys. “Been there, done that - on a bike!” The intercontinental enchanting landscapes that could not be traveled by bike were visited via cruise ships. Nicknamed “Taz Man”, he was a member of a Fort Worth GoldWing Motorcycle Chapter (1997-2007) and served as Chapter Director and Chapter Educator, where he was awarded the GWRRA TX Riders Education “Outstanding Chapter Educator”. Bob owned several bikes or cars at a time and was also a “Harley guy” and a “cool car guy”, but mostly a family guy. He was a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach and instructed motorcycle safety courses at Tarrant County College.

Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, showing symptoms as early as 2019. He was extremely active his entire life and suddenly became very inactive. He never sat still and suddenly he could only sit still. He demonstrated courage and never complained while bravely battling Parkinson’s disease heroically. Interment will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with full Military Honors.