Robert Earl Spurlock

Robert Earl Spurlock, SMgt, USAF, Retired

Robert Earl Spurlock passed away on 14 September 2021. He is survived by his wife of 34 years 10 months, Sandra K. Spurlock; sons, Robert Jr., and Timothy Eugene; and daughter, Cynthia Marie Spurlock.

Robert was born in Shelby County, TX on May 5, 1935 to Floyd Earl Spurlock and Mildred (Watts) Spurlock. He graduated from Joaquin Texas High School in May 1953 and completed a BA in Business Management from Park College in 1977.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in November 1953 and retired on October 1, 1976, at Military Airlift Command (now Air Mobility Command) Headquarters. He served as a jet bomber mechanic on B-47, B-57 and B-58 aircraft. He was a Flight Engineer/Crew Member for B-58, C-130, C-141 and C-5 aircraft accumulating over 5,200 flying hours. In February 1964, he was assigned to Edwards AFB, CA as Crew Chief for a B-58 being used to update performance information after addition of multi weapons pylons. Upon completion of this project, he was assigned Crew Chief of a B-58 (Snoopy) which was being used to test a prototype air to air missile system. He was then assigned to the test force as Crew Chief and Flight Mechanic for a B-58A being used for test and escort purposes and for Category 2 testing on the C-130H and C-141A.

After 23 years of service in the Air Force he began his civilian career with the Military air lift Command Aircrew Training Directorate, as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations representative to the command facility board. He served as the Command combat arms program Manager, Air operations security program manager, and command coordinator for the Air Force Academy, AFROTC, and Civil Air Patrol programs. Following a tour at the Air Force Military Personnel Center as Air Force combat arms program manager, he moved to the Air Force Office of Security Police (now AFSPA). He served as the Air Force combat arms program manager until October 1994 when he moved to his final position as Chief of Resources and Requirements Division, Headquarters Air Force Security Police Agency, Kirtland Air Force Base.

Bob loved the game of golf-as a player and as a student of the game-because of its enduring values of integrity and honor, its precepts of sportsmanship and camaraderie, its adherence to the lasting Rules of Golf, and its many analogies to life. After retiring from the Air Force and settling in Albuquerque, he became a long-time member of the Tijeras Arroyo Golf Association at Kirtland AFB, serving as an Association Officer on several occasions. Bob cared for the game greatly; so much that he enthusiastically provided his time and Rules expertise, over more than a decade, as Rules Official for numerous High School, College, Junior, and Sun Country Amateur Golf Association Championships, as well as United States Golf Association National Championship Qualifiers, throughout New Mexico and West Texas. Bob was dedicated and often first to volunteer, especially for Junior and High School events, which held a special place in his heart. The youngsters appreciated his wit and friendly personality. His friendship was sincere, honest and kind.