Robert Eugene Wolfard Sr.

CDR Robert E. Wolfard Sr. USCG ret., age 99, died February 13, 2022 in Norman. A World War II fighter pilot veteran and a Norman native son, he was born October 17, 1922, third of four sons of Noah E. Wolfard (a civil engineer and professor at OU College of Engineering) and Ethelyn Cochrane Wolfard (noted elocution teacher). Bob grew up near the OU campus during the Depression, graduated from University High School in 1940 and, that fall, enrolled in OU College of Engineering.
Bob was accepted into OU's first Naval ROTC. One of Bob’s engineering courses at OU was taught by his father, who left OU April 1942, commissioned as Captain, Army US.

In September 1942, during WWII, Bob signed up to serve his country with the United States Navy. January 1944, he completed flight training and received commission as Ensign USNR and designation as Naval Aviator. He flew Grumman F6F Hellcats from the USS WASP (CV-18) aircraft carrier, performing fighter sweeps and bombing raids on Japanese airfields and harbors.

After the war Bob returned to Norman, married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Eloise Carr, completed his engineering degree and graduated OU’s College of Engineering in 1949.
In November 1949 Bob transferred to U.S. Coast Guard as an aviator. He served two years on the CGC Pontchartrain at Long Beach, California, was designated CG Aviator No. 565 and served flight duty at CG Air Station, San Diego; Kodiak Island, Alaska; Guam; Elizabeth City, North Carolina; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Annette Island, Alaska. In 1963, Wolfard received certification as Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot No. 429.

In October 1966 he retired with the rank of Commander and returned to his hometown of Norman.
Bob was always known for his good voice, good humor, great intelligence, and high integrity. He was a natural leader and an inspiration to all those who knew him. Bob was a member of McFarlin Methodist Church growing up and remained a member upon retiring from the Coast Guard and returning to Norman.

On April 22, 1989, the 100th anniversary of the Oklahoma Land Run, Bob lost his wife of 43 years. Bob established an endowed music scholarship in Mildred Carr Wolfard's name at OU.
On March 1, 1994, Bob married Betty Dawson Bishop, joining two families together as one beautifully over the years. Last year, Bob and Betty celebrated their 27th anniversary at their home near OU’s campus. They enjoyed traveling, including nine WWII USN Carrier Air Group 86 reunions.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of nearly 28 years Betty Bishop Wolfard; son Robert E. Wolfard, Jr. of Cocoa Beach FL; daughter Wyn Dee Baker of Tulsa; daughter Eloise Evans (Randy) of Melbourne FL; stepsons Ron Bishop, Ed Bishop (Jeanette), and Dayle Bishop all of Norman; grandchildren Audrey Wolfard, Nicholas Wolfard, Jennifer Baker, Dr. Brody Baker, Boone Baker, Logan Baker, Mason Evans (Katie), and Jordan Evans; great grand-children Luke and Chloe Evans; grandchildren and many great-grandchildren on the Bishop and Swackhammer side of the family. He was pre-deceased by stepson Capt. C.E. Swackhammer.

Services will be held graveside at IOOF Cemetery in Norman Saturday February 19, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Viewing and sharing will be Friday February 18, 2022 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Tribute Memorial Care in Norman.
An endowed engineering scholarship for veterans was created in 2019 in honor of CDR Robert E. Wolfard Sr. USCG ret. by his wife and his children. In lieu of flowers, donations to this scholarship fund may be made at www.soonerconnect.com/wolfard .