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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Robert G.
D'Antonio
June 7, 1962 – November 12, 2015
Obituary
Robert Gregory D'Antonio (53), Lieutenant Colonel USAF (Retired), known as "Rob" to his friends and "Robert" to his family, passed away suddenly Thursday November 12, 2015 due to complications following a stroke.
Rob was born June 7, 1962 in Washington DC to Lt Richard G. D'Antonio, USN (Ret) and Maria Irmus (Heuschmidt) D'Antonio. He grew up in the Lake Barcroft area of Falls Church, VA, and attended St. Anthony's grade school and graduated from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, VA in 1980. Always passionate about flying, Rob began flying lessons at age 15, soloed at age 16 and earned his Private Pilot's License at the minimum age of 17. He was awarded the Falcon Foundation's Harold L George Scholarship for preparation to admission to the United States Air Force Academy, he then attended Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL for one year of college. Rob accepted an appointment to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs CO and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Class of 1985.
Following graduation, 2 Lt Rob D'Antonio embarked on a 20-year career in the US Air Force. He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, MS and graduated Class 86-07, 1986. Following Pilot Training, Rob was assigned to the 41st Air Refueling Squadron at Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY flying the KC-135A Stratotanker as a Copilot performing aerial refueling missions with Strategic Air Command. Selected for upgrade as a 1st Lieutenant, in 1989 Rob moved to Loring AFB in Limestone, ME to fly the KC-135R. There he served with both the 42nd and 407th Air Refueling Squadrons as Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. While assigned to Loring AFB, Rob deployed overseas in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM (the Gulf War) flying aerial refueling combat support missions, serving in Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Cairo West, Egypt. While assigned to the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron at Loring, Rob met his future wife, Elisa (Romano) D'Antonio, who was also a KC-135R pilot. When Loring AFB closed, Rob and Elisa moved to Grand Forks AFB, ND for duty with the 905th and 906th Air Refueling Squadrons, and the 319th Operations Group. While at Grand Forks AFB, Rob played a major leadership role in the standup of Air Mobility Command's first Core Tanker Wing. He continued to fly the KC-135R, and he was honored as the 319th Air Refueling Wing's 1994 Instructor Pilot of the Year. He served as a Flight Commander, acting Operations Officer, and also served as Chief of the Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation Division. Rob established himself as an exemplary instructor pilot, leader and mentor. One of his former flight members credits Rob's mentorship with being instrumental in his own progression and uses Rob as a standout example of what a Flight Commander/Supervisor should be. In 1996, while assigned at Grand Forks AFB, Rob and Elisa married. In 1997 Rob and Elisa were assigned to Scott AFB, Belleville IL to continue their careers as Air Mobility Command staff officers. During this assignment Rob served as the Branch Chief of Business Analysis and Mission Reliability where he advised command leadership daily on matters related to measuring, assessing, and improving the reliability and fiscal performance of the global air mobility fleet. During this assignment, their son, Ryan, was born in Belleville. In September 2000, Rob was assigned to the 99th Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing (the President's Wing) at Andrews AFB, MD, just outside Washington DC, where he flew the C-20 and C-37 aircraft as a Copilot, and later as Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot. In addition to commanding worldwide missions transporting top government officials, he served as Squadron Readiness Officer, Mission Operations Duty Controller carrying out detailed planning and execution of overseas Special Air Missions, and Chief of C-20 and C-37 Pilot Training.
On September 11, 2001 Rob was serving as Senior Executive Service Co-Pilot on a C-20 Gulfstream III in support of the President of the United States. Within seconds after the terrorist attacks on New York City, Rob and his crew prepared their aircraft for takeoff to directly support the President. The crew developed and implemented a diversion and logistical plan for supporting Air Force One, during numerous diversions around the country that day. Rob accomplished his mission throughout the day knowing Elisa had been at the Pentagon when the third aircraft crashed into the building, but was unable to contact her to determine if she was alright. Elisa was pregnant at the time with their daughter, Denise.
Rob retired from the Air Force in 2005, with 20 years of service.
After Rob retired, Elisa was assigned back to Scott AFB and the family returned to the Metro-East in August 2005. Rob was completely devoted to his family and since retirement from the Air Force, he took great pride in being a stay-at-home Dad.
Rob's passion for aviation stayed strong and he was frequently seen flying around the local area, working on his beloved airplane, and engaging in many aviation-related activities. A commercial rated instrument pilot before entering the Air Force, Rob had amassed almost 8,000 flying hours in the past 37 years in over 30 aircraft. As an Air Force Command Pilot, he had over 4,200 hours flying the KC-135A/R/T, T-37B, T-38A, C-20B/C/H, and C37A.
Rob leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 19 years, Elisa (Romano) D'Antonio and two children, Ryan and Denise, all of St. Jacob, IL. He is also survived by his parents Richard and Maria (Heuschmidt) D'Antonio of Basye, VA; sister Audrey (Craig) Alderman of Winchester, VA; brother Michael D'Antonio of Sunnyvale, CA; niece Danielle (Daniel) Baker and their daughter Vera, of Jacksonville FL; nephews Colin Alderman of Atlanta, GA and Alan Alderman of Thomasville, GA; as well as numerous in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will miss him dearly.
Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church, 305 Washington St., St. Jacob, IL 62281 or Association of Graduates of United States Air Force Academy, 3116 Academy Drive, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-4475, http://www.usafa.org/Give/ in memory of Rob.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com
Visitation is December 4, 2015, 5-8 pm at Aebischer-Richeson Funeral Home, 211 N. Douglas, St. Jacob.
Funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Pat Jakel officiating. Burial will be in United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 at 10 a.m.
AEBISCHER-RICHESON FUNERAL HOME
St. Jacob, IL
Rob was born June 7, 1962 in Washington DC to Lt Richard G. D'Antonio, USN (Ret) and Maria Irmus (Heuschmidt) D'Antonio. He grew up in the Lake Barcroft area of Falls Church, VA, and attended St. Anthony's grade school and graduated from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, VA in 1980. Always passionate about flying, Rob began flying lessons at age 15, soloed at age 16 and earned his Private Pilot's License at the minimum age of 17. He was awarded the Falcon Foundation's Harold L George Scholarship for preparation to admission to the United States Air Force Academy, he then attended Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL for one year of college. Rob accepted an appointment to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs CO and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Class of 1985.
Following graduation, 2 Lt Rob D'Antonio embarked on a 20-year career in the US Air Force. He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, MS and graduated Class 86-07, 1986. Following Pilot Training, Rob was assigned to the 41st Air Refueling Squadron at Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY flying the KC-135A Stratotanker as a Copilot performing aerial refueling missions with Strategic Air Command. Selected for upgrade as a 1st Lieutenant, in 1989 Rob moved to Loring AFB in Limestone, ME to fly the KC-135R. There he served with both the 42nd and 407th Air Refueling Squadrons as Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. While assigned to Loring AFB, Rob deployed overseas in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM (the Gulf War) flying aerial refueling combat support missions, serving in Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Cairo West, Egypt. While assigned to the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron at Loring, Rob met his future wife, Elisa (Romano) D'Antonio, who was also a KC-135R pilot. When Loring AFB closed, Rob and Elisa moved to Grand Forks AFB, ND for duty with the 905th and 906th Air Refueling Squadrons, and the 319th Operations Group. While at Grand Forks AFB, Rob played a major leadership role in the standup of Air Mobility Command's first Core Tanker Wing. He continued to fly the KC-135R, and he was honored as the 319th Air Refueling Wing's 1994 Instructor Pilot of the Year. He served as a Flight Commander, acting Operations Officer, and also served as Chief of the Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation Division. Rob established himself as an exemplary instructor pilot, leader and mentor. One of his former flight members credits Rob's mentorship with being instrumental in his own progression and uses Rob as a standout example of what a Flight Commander/Supervisor should be. In 1996, while assigned at Grand Forks AFB, Rob and Elisa married. In 1997 Rob and Elisa were assigned to Scott AFB, Belleville IL to continue their careers as Air Mobility Command staff officers. During this assignment Rob served as the Branch Chief of Business Analysis and Mission Reliability where he advised command leadership daily on matters related to measuring, assessing, and improving the reliability and fiscal performance of the global air mobility fleet. During this assignment, their son, Ryan, was born in Belleville. In September 2000, Rob was assigned to the 99th Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing (the President's Wing) at Andrews AFB, MD, just outside Washington DC, where he flew the C-20 and C-37 aircraft as a Copilot, and later as Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot. In addition to commanding worldwide missions transporting top government officials, he served as Squadron Readiness Officer, Mission Operations Duty Controller carrying out detailed planning and execution of overseas Special Air Missions, and Chief of C-20 and C-37 Pilot Training.
On September 11, 2001 Rob was serving as Senior Executive Service Co-Pilot on a C-20 Gulfstream III in support of the President of the United States. Within seconds after the terrorist attacks on New York City, Rob and his crew prepared their aircraft for takeoff to directly support the President. The crew developed and implemented a diversion and logistical plan for supporting Air Force One, during numerous diversions around the country that day. Rob accomplished his mission throughout the day knowing Elisa had been at the Pentagon when the third aircraft crashed into the building, but was unable to contact her to determine if she was alright. Elisa was pregnant at the time with their daughter, Denise.
Rob retired from the Air Force in 2005, with 20 years of service.
After Rob retired, Elisa was assigned back to Scott AFB and the family returned to the Metro-East in August 2005. Rob was completely devoted to his family and since retirement from the Air Force, he took great pride in being a stay-at-home Dad.
Rob's passion for aviation stayed strong and he was frequently seen flying around the local area, working on his beloved airplane, and engaging in many aviation-related activities. A commercial rated instrument pilot before entering the Air Force, Rob had amassed almost 8,000 flying hours in the past 37 years in over 30 aircraft. As an Air Force Command Pilot, he had over 4,200 hours flying the KC-135A/R/T, T-37B, T-38A, C-20B/C/H, and C37A.
Rob leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 19 years, Elisa (Romano) D'Antonio and two children, Ryan and Denise, all of St. Jacob, IL. He is also survived by his parents Richard and Maria (Heuschmidt) D'Antonio of Basye, VA; sister Audrey (Craig) Alderman of Winchester, VA; brother Michael D'Antonio of Sunnyvale, CA; niece Danielle (Daniel) Baker and their daughter Vera, of Jacksonville FL; nephews Colin Alderman of Atlanta, GA and Alan Alderman of Thomasville, GA; as well as numerous in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will miss him dearly.
Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church, 305 Washington St., St. Jacob, IL 62281 or Association of Graduates of United States Air Force Academy, 3116 Academy Drive, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-4475, http://www.usafa.org/Give/ in memory of Rob.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com
Visitation is December 4, 2015, 5-8 pm at Aebischer-Richeson Funeral Home, 211 N. Douglas, St. Jacob.
Funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Pat Jakel officiating. Burial will be in United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 at 10 a.m.
AEBISCHER-RICHESON FUNERAL HOME
St. Jacob, IL
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