ROBERT HENRY BAXTER

Brigadier General USAF (ret.) Robert H. Baxter died on October 28, 2025.  Bob fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s dementia and its complications, and, not surprisingly since he never backed away from a fight, he fought until the end.

Bob was born 85 years ago in New Jersey and lived in New Jersey, California, and New York with his parents, Robert and Dorothy Baxter, and his sister, Joyce.  The family moved to University City, Missouri, where he attended high school and was co-captain of the football team. 

He was recruited to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1958, where he was a varsity football player as well as the Academy’s boxing champion.  As a member of the Class of 1962, Bob was an original Red Tag (from the color-coded name tags given to each class) and Red Tag Bastard (or RTB), a name bestowed on his class by upperclassmen appalled by the rambunctious nature of the class.  To this day the Red Tag Bastards wear that name proudly.

Bob was selected as a Rhodes Scholar and attended Trinity College at Oxford, where he studied politics, philosophy, and economics.  He was invited along with other Rhodes Scholars from the Academy to meet with President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office.  In later years he also attended the Royal College of Defense Studies in London.

After Oxford Bob was off to pilot training, where, as the top student, he was able to select fighter jet training.  Once again the top student, he requested to be deployed to Viet Nam.  He served two combat tours in Viet Nam, in 1966-67 and 1973, with more than 300 combat missions.  His many decorations include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters. 

His most cherished honor was the Lance P. Sijan award, given to Air Force officers and enlisted personnel who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.  The award is named for Capt. Sijan, a combat pilot, prisoner of war, and the first Academy graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Bob was selected to attend the Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, where he was the Outstanding Graduate (Top Gun).  He later returned to the Fighter Weapons School as a pilot instructor. 

He was selected as a White House Fellow and served in the Nixon White House.  Bob also served as aide to the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.   During his long career he was stationed at bases in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and served as the commander of Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. 

After his retirement from military service Bob had a long and successful business career, including as the president and owner of a software company and the owner of a real estate company. 

Once he was fully retired, Bob returned to flying his ultralight plane in the Hudson Valley, as well as hang gliding.  He delighted in taking his kids, grandkids, nieces, and daughter-in-law skydiving.  He became a serious cycler, taking long bike rides on the hilly roads and trails.

Bob is survived by his wife, Rosanne, of Somerville, N.J.; his sister, Joyce Wells of Waynesville, N.C.; his children and step-children, Christine Pizzutello of Spring, Texas; Kelly Baxter of McLean, Va.; Sean Sharpless of Arvada, Co.; and Paul Kemmet of Gambrills, Md.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.