Colonel Robert Scobie ‘Bob’ Fairweather Jr. was born on April 25, 1937 in San Diego, CA, the first of five sons of Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Fairweather Sr. and Jessie Dunham Fairweather. His father was a 1934 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned in the Marine Corps. He was stationed in Shanghai, China with his family shortly after Bob’s birth, where Bob had the unique experience of being raised by an amah. Bob, along with his mother and brothers James and David, lived in their Alexandria, VA home during World War II while his father served the nation. Brothers Richard and Clifford were born later. After the war, Bob’s family was stationed at many naval bases across the United States, often near water, where Bob developed a love of fishing that lasted his entire life. His experiences as a Marine brat left him well prepared for the West Point phase of his life.
Bob claims that prior to entering West Point he dreamed of becoming an astronomer, a sea captain, a petroleum engineer, and an airplane pilot, and that he entered the Academy with strong misgivings. He admits that he fought the system for two years, until after yearling year when he met Tommy, the love of his life. He became a model cadet who worked hard at academics and minimized time on the Area. As a cadet, he preferred outdoor activities and participated in the Ski and Outdoor Sportsman Clubs, and if there had been a fishing club, he undoubtedly would have been a member. He was modest, a loyal friend, and a great classmate.
Bob made what he described as the best decision of his life when he married Thomas Nash Anderson on June 11, 1960. She was named after her grandfather and was referred to as ‘Tommy.’ The Artillery Officer Basic Course, Jump School and Ranger training came next. After a tour on a Nike site, Bob realized it was not the type of duty he preferred and made what, in retrospect, was probably the second best decision of his life. He requested flight training and thereby initiated the process of achieving one of his pre-West Point dreams—becoming a pilot.
He worked through a series of aviation command, staff, and training assignments to include command of two different combat aviation units in Vietnam and one in Korea. An aviation assignment he declined to discuss with his family until well after retirement resulted in the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism “while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty” in Vietnam in 1967. According to the eye witness statement, which accompanied the award order, Captain Fairweather flew three CH-47A Chinook missions, two in darkness and all three under extremely marginal weather conditions and heavy enemy ground fire, to deliver ammunition and other critical supplies to a 1st Armored Cavalry Division unit under siege and to extract friendly casualties.
In between Vietnam assignments he spent time as an instructor pilot and other duties at Fort Rucker, AL. During these tours he often went to Destin, FL to go deep sea fishing. His 268-pound blue marlin that was caught on one of these trips can now be seen in the Destin History and Fishing Museum.
The assignment that brought him the greatest pride was his command of the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division. Pentagon staff and the Air War College followed, with weapons and combat development assignments rounding out his career.
He was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, the Air Force Air War College, and the University of Southern California, where he earned a Master of Science in aerospace management. While at the War College, one of his papers was selected for monetary award and publication in Army Aviation Magazine. Thoughts expressed in the article were implemented later by the Army. During his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, two Air Medals for valor, the Meritorious Service Medal and three Commendation Medals. He also earned Master Army Aviator Wings and a Parachute Badge.
After 25 years of service, Bob retired in 1985 to Birmingham, AL. He upgraded his flying skills to FAA qualification levels and wrote two novels. Tommy taught and began work on a doctoral program. Together they started a successful business with the objective of providing quality education materials to parents and teachers.
In 2001, they purchased a home on Indian Bayou in Destin with access to Gulf of Mexico waters. Here, Bob, finally a sea captain after a 40-year diversion, fished the Gulf waters in his own craft and remodeled their home, while Tommy taught gifted students and completed her doctoral degree. Now in full retirement mode, Bob, in addition to fishing, continued to fly airplanes and painted pictures, many with an oriental flavor perhaps reflecting memories as a youth in Shanghai.
Bob left this life on December 10, 2015, and Tommy relocated to the Tampa area to be with their daughter, Elizabeth. Bob and Tommy instilled in their children, Robert III and Elizabeth, love of family and high moral standards. Robert III is a business owner with an MBA from William and Mary College. Elizabeth is a gifted teacher with a doctorate from UGA. Bob is survived by Tommy, his two children, five grandchildren, and three brothers. We remember Bob as a devoted family man, exemplary soldier and patriot, and faithful friend always willing to lend a helping hand. Bob—Well Done; Be Thou at Peace.
— Family and Bill Chamberlain ’60