Lt Col Robert Joseph Patty USAF retired, passed away Monday, November 15th, in Portsmouth, OH, at the age of 86. Son of George and Opal Patty (Bradford, OH), Robert served in the USAF as a distinguished officer, pilot, and combat veteran. Robert married J.M. "Mackey" Bashore Patty (deceased), and is survived by their 4 children, Cindy Durant (husband Kenny Durant), Scott Patty, Timothy Patty (wife Leticia Patty), Rebekah Manning, and 7 grandchildren, Gabriel Durant, Joy Durant, Joel Durant, Jacque Patty, Shae Patty, Skylar Patty, and Keegan Manning.

Robert graduated from Bradford (OH) High School, and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business from Bowling Green University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Robert felt it an honor and privilege to fly many of the various aircraft of his era (F-86, F-106, F-101, F-4, & C-121). He loved to tell stories of the many interesting moments he experienced in flight. Among his favorite pastimes were visiting with friends, boating, bicycling, watching college football / basketball, and he looked forward each year to the pageantry of "the greatest spectacle in racing" (The Indianapolis 500).

Memorial services for Robert will be at noon, Saturday, December 11th at Botkin Hornback Funeral Home in Otway.  The family will receive friends from 10 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.  There will be a reception at 2:00 p.m. at Shawnee Lodge.

The family asks that in lieu of sending flowers, those with the time and inclination share a memory regarding Robert, by posting it online.