Robert Butler:
CLASS OF 1977
William Byrd High SchoolClass of 1977
Vinton, VA
Southwest Texas State University - BusinessClass of 1998
San marcos, TX
Robert's Story
Life
If I had it to do over again...sometimes I think of the things I did wrong and wish I could change them, Other times I think that the mistakes taught me lessons that I used to make my life better. Strange, huh?
Well, for the mistakes, they're too numerous to name here. The other side of that coin is the three great kids I was able to raise. Chris, my oldest, lives in San Antonio with his wife.
Bobby also lives in San Antonio with the love of his life, a son and daughter plus 2 step-children. KaLeigh, my baby, played volleyball at Nicholls State Univ. in Louisiana on a full athletic scholarship, Her life journey has her and my oldest grandchild living WAY north in Watertown NY.
I was widowed in '09 from a wonderful lady who was instrumental in making me a much better man.
I had a radical life change in '94 that sent me on a much better path than I was on previously, probably the path to help correct many of my aforementioned mistakes. More details on that if asked.
Besides home renovation, I still play the drums regularly in my own band and at church. Mr. King would never believe it.
There are many of you with whom I would love to catch up and say hi. We were kids then, and I acted like one, but memories of you and our times together still bring a smile to my face today.
Schools
Took several basic classes offered onboard the ship during cruises, then went to Va. Western CC after I got out of the Navy. A sudden transfer to San Antonio caused me to restart at St. Philips Univ. there, where I got my first degree in Aircraft Engineering Technology (AAS). Transferred credits to Southwest Texas State Univ. (now known simply as Texas State U.), and got my BAAS in logistics management. After being prodded by management at Tinker AFB, got my MBA from Univ. of Phoenix in Technology Management.
Workplaces
After graduation, I joined the navy, becoming trained as a gas turbine mechanical systems technician, basically an engineer for jet engines used onboard ship for propulsion. Made it to GSM1 (E6) before getting out after 8 years. Went into the reserves while going to school, but worked primarily at several different jobs. I was a construction worker, a plumber/pipefitter, a draftsman and a Desert Storm veteran before finishing school and going to work at Kelly AFB in San Antonio as a jet engine Equipment Specialist at the depot. When Kelly AFB fell victim to the base closures of '92, I went with the workload to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City. I spent 7 years as a supervisory logistic engineer for the jet engines used in F-15 and F-16 aircraft. In '12, I became the chief Demand Planner for Logistics and Supply Chain ...Expand for more
Management at Tinker. I retired from the DoD in March '15.
I tried my hand as a real estate agent for a year and a half in Tulsa OK before I realized that definitely wasn't my calling. That was a radical departure from what I envisioned/wanted, and proved to be NOT what would help me be happily productive in my latter years.
Update October 2016: I made my way back to Tinker AFB working as a Supply Chain and Logistics consultant to the division responsible for activating the new KC-46 tanker aircraft.
Update February 2018: I worked as a field rep for Boeing for their contract with a repair vendor in Tulsa. I was Boeing's supply chain manager/contract liaison for the vendor's overhaul of Navy F-18 flight controls.
Update January 2022: Still in aviation, still related to the military business, I began working as a Customer Account manager for all military accounts with a Tulsa-based manufacturer/overhauler of aviation heat exchangers. Managing all military accounts, I am still doing my part to keep our military fighting ready.
Update January 2023: Found myself working for the competition of the aforementioned company. But this is it...just a few more years, then I'm heading back home to the beautiful Blue Ridges.
Military
I joined the Navy right after graduation. Went in on the Buddy System with my friends Eddie Hensley (Staunton River HS) and Mark Tucker (WBHS, both class of '77). Boot camp was in Orlando. It was hot, but it was the only one of 3 boot camps where the girls went, so I had to go there. Went to Great Lakes Naval Training Center for tech school, basic diesel engine mechanics. That was kinda becoming an obsolete field, so I asked for electricity/electronics school followed by gas turbine engine school. These engines are basically airplane jet engines used for ship propulsion and electric plant generation. Got it, got thru it, and wound up in Norfolk for a year or so. A new ship had openings for my job field, so I transferred to Charleston SC for duty on the USS Moosbrugger (DD-980). Stayed there until my active duty time was up. Moved back to Vinton and joined the reserves. When I had to move to San Antonio, my reserve duty transferred there, and eventually got called to active duty for Desert Storm in '91. I served on the USS Samuel Gompers, a repair ship for destroyers in the gulf. Called it quits a year or so after coming home from Desert Storm.
That is my life in a nutshell. I've traveled around the sun several dozen times, but have packed a lot of life events into that time. I'd love to hear the stories that have made you who you are. And I hope all of you are well and happy. Take care.
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