George Robert Blitch

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Carl H. McNair, Jr. on March 2, 2013:

Bob Blitch - a dedicated classmate if there ever were one - respected by all in the Class of 1955. Being in the same Regiment, same Battalion, as Bob, I knew him fairly well as a cadet - at drill, intramurals, and classes - classes - classes. Standing in the top "50" of our class, he was a real "hive" to me. Unfortunately, upon his branching Air Force and my going Army, we never served together again, but saw each other regularly at Reunions over the 55 intervening years - even through our 55th in 2010, when he and Mary joined us all there. In the Air Force, he had to be one of the "bravest of the brave" flying the KC-97, flying tankers, reciprocating engines no less, before the advent of the KC-135 and more recent KC-10's of today. His post-military civilian career was exemplary in every respect, aerospace contributions in key NASA programs, academic oversight at UT, and eventully finding the perfect business niche beside Mary in their family business. Well done - thou good and faithful servant, thy work on earth is done. We salute you and celebrate our friendships in this life - while looking forward to the "really big reunion" for all of eternity. Faithfully, Carl McNair - Classmate, Friend and Fellow Aviator

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