Robert Dale Materna, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.), Ph.D.

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Materna announce his passing as a result of complications from his courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Robert was born in Front Royal, Virginia on July 4th 1947. He spent his young adult life in Madison, Ohio. After high school graduation, he received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Following graduation he completed pilot training and was assigned to Norton AFB, California, where he flew C-141s throughout Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, he flew missions into Israel during the Yom Kippur War, followed by a tour to Southeast Asia flying OV-10 Broncos out of Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand. Upon his return to the U.S. from Asia, Robert was accepted into the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Logistics Management. Following his tour at Wright Patterson AFB, Robert returned to flying C-141s out of Charleston AFB, South Carolina, where he flew on a Special Operations Crew that participated in the attempted rescue of the hostages in Iran. Shortly thereafter he was invited by the Air Force to teach on the faculty at the Air Force Institute of Technology, with the requirement that he earn a Ph.D. He received his degree from Georgia State University in International Business. He then taught at AFIT completing his commitment to the Air Force. Following 21 years of service, Robert retired from the Air Force and entered the civilian work force where he was employed by NCR headquarters in Dayton, Ohio, followed by Anderson Consulting (now called Accenture), in Chicago, Illinois. He then shifted his interest to work for a nonprofit in Atlanta. At that point he returned to what he loved most; research and teaching for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. At Embry-Riddle he became a full Professor of Business, where he set up their Master’s program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. He also launched the Center for Aviation and Aerospace Leadership; ran several Aerospace Manufacturing Summits; wrote several books and articles on topics related to aerospace; and set up and ran the Industry Advisory Board for the Worldwide campus. Above all Robert was a beloved child of God, a believer in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Robert was preceded in death by his daughter Marnie Lyn Colwell, and his parents Edward and Esther Materna. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Sharyn Brooks Materna, brother Richard Materna (Teri), sister in law Gerry Anne Burwell (Tom), cousin Elliott Woods (Paula), and nieces and nephews. Robert has been an active member of the Links Bible Study at the Marietta Country Club for many years. A celebration of life funeral service will be held in the chapel of Mayes Ward - Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, Georgia with Pastor Tom Gray presiding on Thursday, January 5th at 2PM. Visitation will begin at 1PM. Interment with military honors will follow at in the Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery. In honor of Robert’s memory, contributions can be made to Mars Hill Community Church. 109 Mars Hill Rd, Powder Springs, GA 30127

Robert Dale Materna, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.), Ph.D.

July 4, 1947 - January 1, 2023