Robert A. Lilly Jr.
July 11, 1936 - June 1, 2019
Maj. Robert A. Lilly, Jr., USAF (Ret.) passed away peacefully on 1 June 2019, after a brief illness. Son of Robert A. Lilly, Sr., and Emily Lilly, Robert was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1936. A graduate of Georgetown Preparatory School and Georgetown University, Robert joined the United States Air Force in 1959, where he served our nation as a pilot and trainer. During his service, he flew for the Strategic Air Command in Mountain Home, Idaho; advised the Utah Air National Guard in Salt Lake City; conducted tactical airlift operations during the Vietnam War; and served with the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron in Guam, where he piloted a C-130 into typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. In 1980, he retired as a Major in the Air Force, and continued flying as a civilian pilot. During his career, he flew to over 40 countries and accrued over 10,000 hours in the C-130.
Robert married Mary Nancy Dee in 1969, and they had two children, Catherine and Francis. After his retirement, the family returned to Salt Lake City, Utah, and made it their permanent home. When he was not flying around the world to sustain his family, Robert loved to fly model airplanes and operate model trains. He was also an excellent photographer, a diligent craftsman and modeler, a committed volunteer, an adventurous traveler, and a devout Catholic. Robert had a sharp wit, an insatiable curiosity about the world, and he could tell a great story. Above all, Robert was a loving and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, and he undertook great personal sacrifices so that the people in his care could thrive. Robert is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, his sister, Anne, his granddaughter, Lilly, and his nephew, David. He is survived by his daughter and son, his grandson, Robert, his niece, Marianne, and his nephews, Danny and Bob. His family wishes to thank all those who provided for his care in the last month of his life, especially Dr. Leigh Anna Thompson.
A funeral mass will be celebrated in his memory at 11:00 am on 20 July 2019 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, at 3015 E Creek Road, Sandy, Utah. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, or to a charity of choice.
In Loving Memory
Kathy and Francis, My best wishes to you at this sad time. Both your father and your mother were remarkable people to know. Their kindnesses to me will never be forgotten. I will be with her in prayer, as I will be out of town at the time os services. The horse andI will be in Yellowstone. With affection, Fr. Norman
Fr. J. Norman
nan, nan
Our condolences to all the Lilly family. I met with Bob a couple of times and enjoyed conversing with him about many topics. It was apparent that he was a proud Father and a faithful Catholic. Jim Strelchun
James and Maryella Strelchun
Bend, OR
Cathy and Francis, I just received notice of Bob’s death through Prep. He was a great friend as well as a classmate, roommate through 8 years of prep and college. In our wedding. He will be missed. Please let us know the details of the Arlington service. Fran and Tony Romweber
Tony Romweber
North Bend, Oh
I extend my sympathies on the loss of your dad. I knew Bob well, being a fellow boarding student at both Georgetown Prep and Georgetown College. I hadn't heard about Bob since 1959 but am unsurprised at his U.S. Air Force career and love of flying. He expressed both of those wishes even as a high school boy. Bob was the kind of guy who, when he made his mind up to do something, did it.
Joe Tuthill
Ipswich, MA
Bob and I were classmates at Georgetown University and we were both commissioned in to the USAF in June 1959. He was the cadet Colonel in the USAF ROTC at Georgetown. He was always a superb leader. I had occasion to meet Bob's parents in Memphis. Bob visited us in Tokyo on one of his TDYs and I have a picture of him then. Bob was always a friend. He was evermore happy with an infectious smile. Bob and his family will remain in our prayers. RIP.
Donald Hudenburg
Herndon, VA
Dear Kathy and Frank, For some reason, your mom and dad have been in my thoughts today, and it was with trepidation that I checked the Salt Lake City obituries and learned that you had lost Bob several years ago. Bob and I had good phone chats but lost touch at some point. I lost Glenn in 2018 and now live in a retirement center. I would very much like to hear from you. Please e-mail me. Remember when your family stayed with us while looking for a home? Good times! Love, Barbara
Barbara Halliday
SALEM, OR