Robert William Penar, Colonel, USAF (retired), 76, flew west into God’s arms on July 21, 2026. Bob was married to “his beautiful bride” and the love of his life Susan Lynn Foster Penar for 52 years. He died on their anniversary surrounded by his family.

Bob was born in Butler, Pennsylvania on January 11, 1950 to Dr. Thaddeus “Ted” Henry Penar, PhD and Marie McMunigle Penar. He attended Grove City High School and was a standout football player at Grove City College from 1968-1971. Commissioned through Air Force ROTC in 1972, he attended pilot training at Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama where he met Lynn. They were married in Selma in 1974. His son, Russell Andrew, was born in 1976 and his daughter, Leigh Anne, in 1981.

Bob excelled as an F-4 pilot, graduating from the Air Force Fighter Weapons School; serving as Wing Weapons Officer at Osan AB, Korea; and earning the callsign “Silk” for his smooth touch on the controls. He later transitioned to F-16s where he commanded the 69th Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, GA and served as Vice Wing Commander at Kunsan AB Korea.

Retiring after 26 years on active duty, Bob continued training fighter pilots as an active Air Force simulator instructor until three weeks before his untimely death.

Bob’s courage in the sky was matched by the kindness he showed on the ground. He carried responsibility most can only imagine, yet he did so with steady resolve, quiet humility and a heart that never lost sight of people. Bob was an avid water skier and could frequently be found barefooting and running the slalom course on the waters of Cherry Lake, Florida. Using his sharp wit and infectious laugh, he was a friend, mentor and leader to many--"one of the happiest guys you’d ever meet” and the rock of his extended family.

Bob is survived by “Miss Lynn;” his two children: Russ and his wife Stacie of Highlands Ranch, CO; Dr Leigh Anne Penar Chadwick, OTD and her husband Dr Steven Chadwick, D.O. of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren Brody Foster Penar and Joslyn Rae Penar of Highlands Ranch, CO, his sisters: Dr Nancy Houston, PhD of San Francisco, Dr. Martha Drobnak, PhD of Philadelphia and Carolyn Wood, of Selinsgrove, PA; and a much loved niece Stacy Lippa (Dan) and their daughter Madelyn of Philadelphia. Bob is deeply loved and remembered by an extensive network of brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grand nieces and nephews, and cousins drawn from the Foster and Pickens lines too numerous to list. Nickel on the grass.

The family is holding a Celebration of life on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at musicfuneralservices.com. The Penar family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.