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March 1, 2018
Lt. Col. Robert R. McCartney
Omaha Composite Squadron
Nebraska Wing
Robert R. McCartney, Col. USAF (ret.) - DECEMBER 5, 1932 – FEBRUARY 14, 2018. The book on an amazing life of giving and service closed with the unexpected death of Col. Robert Russell (Bob) McCartney, USAF (Ret.) at the age of 85.
Bob's story began in Pittsburgh, PA, as the son of Robert Taylor McCartney and Elizabeth Clare (McCabe) McCartney. The family, including younger sisters Barbara Lou and Betty Jane, moved to Wellesley Hills, MA in 1945. A member of the ROTC program at Dartmouth College, Bob graduated in 1954 and began a distinguished and decorated 28+ year career in the US Air Force. Bob's love story began on a blind date while stationed at Dover AFB in Delaware when he met Nancy Rachel Sterling. They married in 1957 and raised three children (and three Irish Setters). Bob's military career included two separate assignments as a pilot in Vietnam and Southeast Asia during the war. He also served on a missile crew, as Senior Controller and on the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt, AFB, and as Deputy Wing Commander of the 8th Air Force at Barksdale AFB. After retiring in 1983, Bob and Nancy's story continued in the Washington, DC. area in the civilian workforce. He retired for a second time and they moved back to Nebraska to enjoy "The Good Life". Never one to sit back and relax, throughout his life, Bob volunteered countless hours for church, for the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America (where he was an adult leader and was honored with the prestigious "Silver Beaver") and the Civil Air Patrol where he was a former commander. A strong believer in the power of humor, Bob never failed to strike up lengthy conversations with whomever he thought could use some cheering up. He truly never met a stranger. Constant characters in Bob's story include his wife Nancy and their children, Heather Kelsey and her husband Neil of Farmington CT, Heidi McCartney of Colorado Springs CO, and Rob McCartney and his wife Sherry (Hausman) of Papillion NE. Bob has grandchildren: Brendan, Steven, and Timothy Kelsey, Taylor (McCartney) Depue and her husband Adam, Grayson McCartney and Hope McCartney and great-grandson Sterling Depue. Bob is also survived by his sister Betty Jane and her husband Edwin Larsen, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bill and Susannah Sterling, nieces Karen, Amy, Debby and nephew Ted and their families. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara Lou. Adding even more flavor to Bob's life, his six "grand-dogs" and "great-grand-dogs"! Facts and dates tell only part of Bob's story. The rest is contained in his passion for teaching and mentoring youth, pride in his country, steadfast love for his family and friends, and his never-faltering need to be of service to his fellow man. As you write your own life story, one of the highest compliments you could pay Bob, would be to give unselfishly of your time and talents, improving the lives of anyone who needs a helping hand.