Col. Robert ‘Bob’ Kronebusch Passed Away April 15 at Home in Satellite Beach
By Space Coast Daily // April 21, 2018
flew 142 combat missions in the F105 Thud in Vietnam
BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA – Robert M. Kronebusch, age 87, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on April 15, 2018, in his home in Satellite Beach, Florida.
He was born in Winona, Minnesota on February 28, 1931, the oldest of three children to Alois and Bengina Kronebusch. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline, three children, nine grandsons and six great-grandchildren, two sisters, Carol Kjos (Myron) and Mary Ann Sharp (Curt).
Bob grew up in St Paul, attended Nativity Grade School, Cretin High school and St. Thomas College. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in Sept. 1950 and after a year and a half achieved the rank of Staff Sgt., he then attended flight school as an aviation cadet and graduated in Mar 1953.
He spent 30 years in the USAF, 20 as a fighter pilot. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1963 and later received an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology. He retired in 1980 as a Colonel.
He flew 142 combat missions in the F105 Thud (Wild Weasel) in Vietnam and among his awards were the Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal the Distinguished Flying Cross and 13 Air Medals. He also flew the T33, the F80, the F86, the F102 the F104 and other support aircraft.
He married Pauline from New Brighton, Pa. on Oct. 9, 1954. They have three children Kathryn Davison, Silt, CO.; Robert Kronebusch (Jennifer), Colorado Springs, CO.; and Richard Kronebusch, Satellite Beach, FL. Bob and Pauline have traveled to all seven continents.
After retiring from the USAF he worked for Harris Corporation as a Program Manager retiring from Harris in 1993. Most of his retirement was spent doing volunteer work for the Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral chapter, Meals on Wheels, and local Space Flight Six of the Daedalians.
A Catholic Mass was held Friday, April 20, 2018, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on A1A in Indian Harbor Beach. He will be laid to rest at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice if you wish.
Online condolences may be left at beachfuneralhome.com
Related Story:Carolyn ‘Lynn’ Kowalske Passed Away Feb. 26 at Age 86, Was Teacher at Central Jr. High for 25 Years
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OBITUARIES
