Col. USAF Robert Carl (Retired) Cripe Obituary (2012

Col. USAF (Retired) Robert Carl Cripe of Dahlonega, Georgia, previously of Centerville, Georgia, passed away December 1, 2012 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Bob lived a full and exciting life, including a distinguished military career, devotion to God and family, and countless hours of selfless volunteerism. Duty, Honor, Country and Family were not mere words to Bob, they were everything. He was a member of Dahlonega United Methodist Church in Dahlonega, Georgia and formerly a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Warner Robins, Georgia. Col. Cripe served a distinguished 25 years on Active Duty in the United States Air Force. After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1974 he completed pilot training to become an F-4 pilot. Bob finished his career at Warner Robins Air Force Base as the Commander of the 93rd Operations Group where he deployed in support of Operation Allied Force. Col. Cripe s awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 OLC, Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 OLC, Air Force Achievement Medal, and SW Asia Service Medal with one device. After retiring from the USAF he joined C2 Technologies as a Senior Vice President where he remained employed until his passing. Col. Cripe is predeceased by his father Mr. Donald Carl Cripe. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Mrs. Kathryn Cripe; Mother, Mariam Cripe, Indianapolis, Indiana; Children, TSgt Sean Carl (Sarah) Cripe, Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom and Jacqueline Annie (Ian) Drennan, Smyrna, Georgia; Grandchildren, Kaiya Page Drennan, Corbin Carl Cripe, and Baby Drennan; Brothers, Todd (Cheryl) Cripe, Marietta, Georgia and Scott (Barbara) Cripe, Bloomington, Indiana; Aunt, Janet Cripe, Marion, Indiana; and Nephews, Jesse Cripe, A1C Nicholas Cripe, Everett Cripe, and Dellon Cripe. A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) or Paul Anderson Youth Home (www.payh.org) Arrangements by Dahlonega Funeral Home, 20 Gibson Rd., Dahlonega, GA, 30533, 706-864-DOVE