Charles Robert Marler

May 13, 1933 - February 1, 2021

Charles Robert Marler, 87, passed over into his eternal home on February 1, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002, Robert fought the illness with courage and determination until he finally lost his unexpected long fight. Born in Doniphan, Missouri, on May 13, 1933, the second child of Irvin and Mary (McPheeters) Marler, Robert spent his childhood years roaming the hills, creeks and rivers in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in southeastern Missouri. The family later moved to Kentucky, where Robert graduated from Greenville High School in 1951. After joining the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet program in January 1954, he became a Transport Navigator, graduating in March 1955 as Second Lieutenant. Assignments in Hawaii and later at Travis Air Force Base in California, navigating the Douglas C-124 Globemaster and Boeing C-97 (B-377) Stratocruiser followed. While in Hawaii, Robert met and married his first wife, a Pan-American flight attendant of Japanese descent, with whom he raised five children. In 1958, Bob began his US Airforce pilot training program in Texas and Oklahoma. After graduation, he first served as a RB-50 pilot in the Military Airlift Command (MAC) in an Aerial Survey and Photo Mapping squadron in Albany, Georgia, and later on projects in the western United States and parts of South America. In 1961, Bob became part of the “Hurricane Hunters.” Based in Bermuda, in addition to hunting hurricanes in the western Atlantic and Caribbean, his squadron flew weather reconnaissance missions around Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1963. Over the next ten years, Bob flew the C-124 Globemaster and the C-141 Starlifter out of Travis AFB in support of the Southeast Asia War. His promotion to Major took him to Altus, Oklahoma, training new C-141 pilots. In January 1971, after completing his Bachelor’s Degree at University of Nebraska, Omaha, he was promoted to 22nd Air Force C-141 Standardization Pilot. Robert’s 20-year Air Force career ended after his tour of duty as Chief of Airlift Command Post in Utapao, Thailand. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel on February 1, 1974. Many other exciting chapters followed his Air Force retirement: flying for Japan Airlines; General Manager of the Travis AFB Flying Club; Executive Pilot for International Harvester Co., Chicago; VVIP Pilot/Instructor/Examiner for His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates; Gulfstream Pilot Instructor for FlightSafety International in Savannah, Georgia and Long Beach, California. During his outstanding flying career, Robert was awarded The Meritorious Service Medal, The Air Force Commendation Medal, and The Wright Brothers “Master Pilot Award” for 50 years of accident-free flying. While living in Abu Dhabi, Robert met and married Austrian-born Christiane. During their 32 year long marriage, the couple shared their love of travel, making music, visiting family and simply enjoying life in each other’s company. Robert will be greatly missed by his wife, Christiane, his five children, Janice Vanek and husband Steve of Dallas, TX; Cyndie Marler of Santa Fe, NM; Kimberly Stevenson and husband Paul of Dallas, TX; Tamara Marler-Elliott and husband Danny of Tulsa, OK; and Charles Robert “Chuck” Marler II of Tulsa, OK. Those who called him “Grandpa” are Andrea Hansen-Phillips, Adam Hansen, Tim Humphries, Macullen Nadurak, Kymberli Heckenkemper, Grant Heckenkemper, Cole Heckenkemper, Charles Robert "Chaz" Marler III, Shane Marler and Channing Wannemacher. Great grandchildren include Tommy Hansen, Allie Hansen, Jack Phillips and Harrison Phillips. Robert is also survived by his brother, John Marler and wife, Carol, of Paris, KY; Carol Marler Groves and husband James of Gilbertsville, KY; and Marilyn Spurlin of White Plains, KY. He was blessed to be “Uncle Robert” and “Uncle Bob” to many, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews all over the world. A family service will be held at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home in Grand Prairie, TX, followed by a graveside service with military honors at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Nagourney Institute, www.nagourneycancerinstitute.com. Checks may be mailed to: The Nagourney Institute 750 East 29th Street Long Beach, CA 90806 Federal Tax ID: 95-4731388 ***Memorial Service will also be available via livestream at the following zoom link** https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8719538997?pwd=UUo0S1NiMFZzek5PcmdCK1VFc1cxZz09