- Date Of Birth: September 3, 1933
- Date Of Death: June 10, 2016
- State: Florida
Major Robert D. Mittler, USAF (ret) of Destin passed away early on the 10th of June, 2016 after a lengthy battle with leukemia. Born in 1933 in Wayville New York to the late Ralph and Leah Hermance Mittler. His family moved to Dayton Ohio when he was young where he graduated High school in 1951 and joined the Air Force in July of the same year. After basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas he went to Control tower operator school at Keesler AFB, Ms. After a short time working as a tower operator, he was selected to enter pilot training late in 1953. While at primary flight training at Graham AFB in Marianna, Florida, he met a young lady, Mary H Holmes, who agreed to join him on his life adventure. During his 20 years in the Air Force, he was stationed in such exotic places as Oscoda Michigan; Iceland; Rapid City, SD; Minot, ND; Germany; England; 1 tour in Vietnam and Mountain Home, Idaho. During his flying career, Major Mittler flew over 5000 hours in many different aircraft, most notably the F89, T-39(Saber Liner), T-33 and finished up in the RF4C. He loved flying and his tenure as a flight instructor after returning from Vietnam.
Upon Retiring from the Air Force, he moved his family to Destin, Florida, built a home, and set out to enjoy his retirement. For about 10 years he worked at the East Pass and Marlborough marinas, earned his Captain’s license to run charter boats and started really working on his lifelong passion for golf.
After fully retiring, he became active in the local Masonic Lodge and was Master of Alpha Lodge #172 in 1991. He also served as the District Deputy Grand Master for the 3rd Masonic District in 1998. Two of his most joyous moments in the lodge were when he raised his son to master mason and then when he installed him as Master of the lodge in 1993. He was also active in the Fort Walton Beach Shrine Club and served as President in 2001 and then Treasurer for many years. He also became involved in the Komedian unit and will be forever after known as “Bobbie the Clown”.
He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Mary; 1 son David A. Mittler of Ft Walton Beach and 1 daughter Lea Ann Mittler-Norred, husband Tommy Norred and Grandson, Thomas Larkin Norred of Shalimar. He loved his large extended family and his good friends He is preceded in death by his parents and both sisters, Beverly Lane and Marilyn Sawmiller.
