Bob's History
Gone But Not Forgotten
Captain Robert M. Gower, United States Air Force Academy Class of 1964, was killed on 9 April 1968 in a T-38 crash near Austin, TX. He was buried at the Air Force Academy Cemetery on 13 April 1968.
Bob reported to the Academy from the State of Tennessee. While at the Academy, he was a member of the 18th Cadet Squadron. He was active in the Cadet Forum, the professional Studies Group, the Protestant Cadet Choir, the Ski Club, the Sports Car Club, the Aquatics Division, and the Mountaineering Division. He was named to the Superintendent's List 7 times. Bob served as 3rd Group Commander and Ethics Committee Secretary.
Upon graduation, Bob was assigned to attend Graduate School at Georgetown University. Then came Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, OK. Later, he served in Southeast Asia as an F-4C aircrew member with the 558th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam. In 1967, Bob returned to the States and was assigned as a T-38 instructor pilot with the 3516 Pilot Training Squadron at Randolph AFB, TX. He was an instructor pilot at the time of the crash.
Captain Gower was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, 17 Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Bob was survived by his wife, Adele Deason.
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