JOHNSTON, Lt. Col. Robert Rex "Bob" (Ret.) Born on January 19, 1921, Bob Johnston was the youngest of six children born on the Hooker, Oklahoma homestead of James Edward and Lizzie Marie (Shacklette) Johnston. In Bob's own words, he and part of his family "finally got out of the Dust Bowl" and moved to Corvallis, Oregon in the late 1930s. Working his way through college, Bob graduated from the Army ROTC program at what was then called Oregon State College in 1942, earning a degree in agricultural education and a civilian pilot's license. Bob commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in field artillery, but because he loved to fly he entered military flight training in 1943. While earning his wings, Bob met Jane Charlotte Fredenburg of Duncan, Oklahoma at a USO dance, and the two married on December 31, 1943. Bob then shipped off to the Pacific Theater of Operations, where he flew C-46 and C-47 troop carrier planes in the Fifth Air Force. Bob participated in numerous military operations, including the liberation of the Philippines. After the war ended, he was stationed in Osaka, Japan. One of his first missions in Japan was flying a research team to the devastated city of Hiroshima. Bob continued his military career after the war, ultimately rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In the 1950s Bob transferred to the newly formed Strategic Air Command, flying a variety of bombers serving as this nation's deterrent force, culminating in the mighty B-52. Bob and Jane fell in love with Spokane while stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base and vowed to return when Bob retired. They did so in 1964, settling into a farm on the West side of town. Bob taught at Ferris High School before embarking on a successful real estate career with F.S. Barrett and Company. He raised Black Angus cattle in his spare time while Jane raised her prized Arabian show horses. Bob and Jane are survived by their sons, Robert Jr. (Zan), James Stephen (Patricia), Michael (Kimiko) and a daughter, Ellen; six grandchildren (Chad, Debbie, Robert III, Jason, Sarah and Marie); and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his fourth son, David in 1975. Bob lost Jane, the love of his life, in 1998. Caring for his disabled daughter, Ellen, Bob continued working in real estate and managing his own properties until he turned 92, vowing, "I would rather burn out than rust out." Bob left us to be with Jane and David on December 12, 2013. "Off you go into the wild blue yonder, flying high into the sun." Nothing can stop you now! A rosary will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 6pm at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N. Monroe Street, Spokane, WA. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 20 at 10:00am at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201. A graveside service will follow at 2:30pm at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane, WA with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arc of Spokane.