ROBERT N. HAVARD
1932-2018
Colonel (retired) Robert Noel Havard, born December 31, 1932, died April 8, 2018, at the age of 85. Robert was a decorated fighter pilot in the United States Air Force for over 28 years. He was proud to be the first in his pilot training class to solo, flying a T-28 and a T-34. His favorite plane was the F-101, but he flew several other fighters, including the F-86 and the F-106. Robert served in Vietnam from June 1966 through May 1967 as a Forward Air Controller, flying in an O-1, a much smaller plane nicknamed “bird dog.” Robert flew 330 missions during his year in Vietnam, and a total of over 5,000 flight hours over his career. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1981, Robert worked at Texaco in Houston for several years, then as a residential real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in Sugar Land.
Robert was born at Hope Cottage in Dallas, Texas, but he was soon adopted by Jerry and Beulah Havard of Burke, Texas. The Havard family later moved to Lufkin, Texas, where Robert excelled in sports and in academics. He played on the Lufkin High School football team as a quarterback, the high school baseball team as a pitcher, and on a baseball team organized by the boys named the “Dirty Socks.” Many of his lifelong friends were Dirty Socks. Robert was also an active Boy Scout, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from high school in 1950, Robert attended Stephen F. Austin University until he joined the Air Force. Over the ensuing years, he took college courses wherever he was stationed, including the University of Texas at Austin, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Omaha at Nebraska, and a master’s degree from Auburn, University. However, he remained a devoted Longhorn fan!
Robert leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara Smith Havard, two children, Sharon Havard Mathews and husband Greg, Robert Havard, Jr, and wife Rhonda, and two grandchildren, Madeline Mathews and Travis Havard.
Robert will be greatly missed. He was patient, loving, kind, and very generous. He treated everyone with respect. He loved to read non-fiction, debate politics, watch football and baseball, eat barbecue, and go to the beach. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. He actively played games and sports with his children and grandchildren. He provided a wonderful life for his family.
Services will be held Monday, April 16, 2018, at Settegast-Kopf Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas, 77478. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., service at 11, followed by a reception. Burial will follow at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, 77038.
If you wish, donations may be made in Robert Havard’s name to Hope Cottage, 609 Texas Street, Dallas, TX 75214, or by contacting Leslie Clay, 469-917-2535. Website is www.hopecottage.org.