Robinson John "Bob" Hetherington

Robinson (Bob) John Hetherington of Long Beach passed away at the age of 86 on January 20, 2015. He was born in Great Falls, Montana on August 3, 1928. He was married for 61 years to the love of his life, Claruth (Ruth) Mary Ladner.
When he was 12, he purchased his first car, a used Model T Ford, for $1.80. He obtained his pilot's license at 16. He played the violin and piano and performed in a country band during his college years. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He worked on a cattle ranch and wheat farm in the summer. He worked with his father climbing utility poles. For extra money at college, he panned gold in mountain streams near his home. He had many stories to tell of his adventurous childhood.
In August 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as an Autotrack Radar Specialist and Instructor at Keesler Air Force Base until his release from active duty in August 1955. He then began his career as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force in January 1956. Bob was an instructor in the Avionics Communication Court and the FLR-9 Course until 1966 when he began working at Texas Instruments on government contracts. In 1967, he returned to his civilian career with the U.S. Air Force where he served a brief stint as an Electronic Principles Instructor before becoming a Training Specialist for the Avionics Communication and Navigation Courses. In July 1993, Bob was reassigned to the AWACS Radar Course as an Instructor Supervisor. He retired on April 30, 1994 after 40 years and 5 months of service.
Bob was a tinkerer at heart and worked part-time for almost 20 years at Western Auto. He was part of the STAR program, teaching young adults how to read. He valued education above almost anything. He enjoyed square dancing and taught classes for many years for the Belles and Buoys Square Dance Club. In his later years he enjoyed taking photos for the Long Beach Historical Society.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, Robinson Sewell and Cora May (Blanchard) Hetherington, and his son Kerry.
He is survived by his wife Ruth; three children: Ed Hetherington (Rhonda), Monica Litke (Mike), and Rachael Lenoir (Michael); eight grandchildren: Christina Thayer, Jessica Markowski, Jeff Litke, Amanda LeMaster, Adam Litke, Kimberly Suber, Seth Lenoir, and Clara Lenoir; and five great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, January 26, 2015, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Long Beach, at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church.
Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with funeral honors by the USAF.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is serving the family, and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com