Col. Robert Myron Davis USAF (Ret.)

Robert (Bob) Myron Davis 80, of Springfield, VA, formerly of Columbia, SD, died October 21, 2021 from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bob is survived by his son, Michael Davis, daughter Catherine Shannon Murray, grandchildren Erin, Ryan, and Kate Murray, sister Carol Axtman, brother Keith Davis, brothers-in-law Seb Axtman, Tom and Sean Murnane and sisters-in-law Fionnuala Murnane and Eileen Connally of Ireland, nieces and nephews in the United States and Ireland, and special friend Mary Mendel of Lewistown, MT. He was preceded in death by his parents Irene and George Davis, his wives Rhea Dennert and Kathleen Murnane. Robert Davis grew up in Columbia, South Dakota. He never forgot his roots. He enjoyed a carefree childhood of sports and hard work. Bob excelled in that small community setting records in football and basketball. His team, the Columbia Comets, played as the No. 1 ranked team in the SD “B Classic” state tournament his senior year of 1959. After graduation from the University of South Dakota with a degree in business in 1963 and subject to the draft, Bob enlisted in the US Air Force in 1964. Shortly before he was commissioned a 2nd Lt., he married his high school sweetheart and USD graduate Rhea Dennert on August 9, 1964. Tragically, Rhea passed away due to a childhood heart condition September 13, 1965. Lt. Davis was reassigned to Dreux AFB, France in 1966 where he oversaw the closure of that base, before his transfer to Athens, Greece. Upon his departure from Europe, he met Kathleen Murnane of Ireland, a nurse at St. Thomas hospital in London. They married in Minot, ND September 7, 1969, where they had 2 children, Michael Joseph and Catherine Shannon. Kathy died in 2007 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Bob’s military career encompassed Strategic Air & Missile Commands at air bases in Minot, ND, Ellsworth, SD, and Whiteman, MO, and two assignments at the Pentagon, Washington, DC. His 2nd stint at the Pentagon was managing foreign military sales in 17 countries and traveling extensively in the Middle East. He achieved the rank of Colonel and completed his career at the Defense Nuclear Agency in Alexandria, VA. Bob retired in 1990 and worked another 20 years for SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) as a Dept of Defense contractor. He retired in 2010. Bob loved God and lived his Catholic faith, rarely missing daily mass. He and his wife Kathy were involved in many activities at Nativity Catholic Church, serving as eucharistic ministers, establishing the St. Patrick’s party, Our Lady of Knock Society, fundraising and supporting the Nativity School with a scholarship in Kathy’s name. Bob was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, and served a term as Grand Knight. Bob and Kathy were also proud of developing the Irish Project Children in their area and fostering children for six weeks in the summer during “The Troubles” in the 1990’s. Bob and Kathy took pride in their home and garden and enjoyed hosting parties. They will long be remembered in their church and neighborhood. They often visited Kathy’s immediate family in New York and in Ireland where Bob explored his Irish heritage and reunited with the Galway Davis’s. After Kathy’s death Bob continued their family traditions. He was a No. 1 grandfather attending most all of his grandchildren’s sporting events and celebrations and was always there to help his children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends and the Knights. He was an avid bridge player, black diamond skier and a pro-golf wannabe. In retirement Bob became a frequent traveler after reconnecting with Mary, an old friend, he first met in Dreux, France. They enjoyed skiing many western and eastern resorts. Bob often golfed on their coast-to-coast trips. They traveled Ireland, England, Italy and enjoyed Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises. Relatives and friends may call at the Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA, 22315, on Sunday, June 12, 2022 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity Catholic Church, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA, 22015 at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, June 13, 2022. Interment following at 3PM to his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery where he will be received with full military honors. Flowers graciously accepted or memorials may be made to the Kathy Davis Scholarship Fund at Nativity Catholic Church School, 6398 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015 or the Davis Family Scholarship Fund, Oahe Foundation, Box 998, Pierre, SD 57501. Please view and sign the family guestbook at www.jeffersonfuneralchapel.com

Tributes

Col. Robert Myron Davis USAF (Ret.)

May 15, 1941 - October 21, 2021