Robert Richard Lubold (Bob)

Robert Richard Lubold (Bob) passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Bob was born on January 17, 1937 to Frederick and Rita Lubold in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Bob graduated from Holyoke High School in 1953 and received his associate's degree in Electronics from CCAF in 1976.

He served in the Air Force from 1954 to 1956 serving in the United States and Korea and received an Honorable Discharge in 1956. He married Diane J. May in 1957. Bob had 3 sisters, Maureen, Joanne and Deborah. Maureen and Joanne are deceased. Deborah still resides in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

His wife of 69 years, Diane, supported and loved him through over a dozen military assignments, creating a loving home in each new location. They have 5 children, Bob and wife Karen (Gilbert, AZ), Candy (Colorado Springs, CO), Rory and wife Marie (Scottsdale, AZ), Dawn and husband Mark (Colorado Springs, CO) and Dan and wife Cathy (Albuquerque, NM). They have 13 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren (soon to be 33!), and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Bob re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1958 and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1983. In the 27 years Bob served in the Air Force, over half was spent with his family overseas in locations in Germany, Spain, England and Italy. He also served a remote tour in 1966-67 in Vietnam and other southeast countries during the Vietnam war. He flew 67 combat missions in Vietnam as a combat control crew member with the 606 Air Commandos (Lucky Tigers) from January - June 1967.

While in the Air Force, he received numerous awards which included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air medal, two Meritorious Service medals and six Commendation medals. He was NCO of the year in 1968 and 1976 and GEEIA Team Chief of the year in 1969. After retiring from the Air Force, Bob went to work for NASA for 17 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA and also received several awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Award.

Bob was an unbelievably strong fighter, battling cancer on three different occasions. He was an incredibly caring and selfless individual and touched the lives of so many people, including those he just met. To say he will be missed is such a gross understatement. The loss we feel is not only because of who he was, but also because of what he was: a supportive, dedicated and loving husband, the Dad that was the coach, the entertainer, the motivator, the mentor, the voice of reason, the silly grandparent, the dedicated veteran, a generous man, hilarious story teller, friend to all, and the reason his five children remain best friends. He always said, "Don't forget where you came from." He didn't, and neither will we.

A service and reception will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the FRENCH -Westside Chapel.