Robert Bullington Obituary

Col. Robert J. Bullington (Ret USAF)

9/23/31-3/7/26

Col. Bob is still doing "Bob Things" in a better place. He passed peacefully at age 94 in his sleep surrounded by love in Santa Fe, NM. Born in Moultrie, GA, Bob was accepted into West Point, and upon graduation in 1954, he enrolled in pilot training school for the U.S. Air Force and met the love of his life, Betty Louise Barnes, from Anson, TX, in Sunday School in Lubbock, TX. The couple married and honeymooned at Bishop's Lodge in Santa Fe in 1958. Bob and his family were stationed at Okinawa, Japan, Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA and Scott AFB in Belleville, IL. Bob was eventually promoted to full colonel by the U.S. Air Force and served as the Squadron Commander of King Rescue ("So That Others May Live") at Korat AFB, Thailand during the last two years of the Vietnam War.

Bob and Betty planted roots in Albuquerque in 1977, and Bob served as a Deputy Base Commander of Kirtland AFB prior to retiring and then working as the pension analyst for Public Service Company of NM. Bob was a talented artist and traveled around the country to study with master wood carvers, including renowned carver Harold Enlow, who was the resident master carver at Dogpatch USA in Branson, MO.

Bob enjoyed a close friendship with Harold for many years as he did with Ed Felter of Albuquerque. After Betty's death in 2015, Bob continued as a widowed bachelor and enjoyed the company of his beloved dachsunds, Gabe and Johann. Bob spent the last two years of his life receiving excellent care from Sarita Elizabeth, Gina Morales, Cissy Nelson and the wonderful staff at Kingston Residence of Santa Fe.

He is survived by his son, J.D., and his daughter-in-law, Gabriella.