Tribute To One Of Batesville's Finest.

Bob Parman... May 7, 1929 - February 22, 2011

Bob Parman, 81, of Batesville... died Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at White River Medical Center. He was born, May 7, 1929 in New Hampton, Missouri and was a Major in the U.S. Air Force.  Serving as a pilot during his years of service, he retired after 27 years. Bob was member of the First Baptist Church since 1974 and was a Real Estate Broker from 1973 to the present. He served as president of the Batesville Lions Club and was a member of the Board of Realtors.

Bob Parman joined the Merchant Marines in 1945 at the age of 15 shortly before the end of World War II. After the the end of the war, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps; which became the United States Air Force. Bob served as an enlisted man for 10 years, specializing in airfield operations and photography. He achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant before being selected in 1956 to attend Officer Candidate School. In that year, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and attended Primary and Advanced Flight Training. Bob flew several combat aircraft during his career in the Air Force to include C-47 Special Operations aircraft, C-123 Ranch Hand aircraft in Vietnam, SA-16 amphibious rescue aircraft, as well as C-135 and C-141 cargo aircraft. He culminated his flying career as Command Pilot of Air Force Two, the vice-presidential VC-137 aircraft flown in the famed 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington D.C. Bob retired from the Air Force in August 1973 in the permanent rank of Major. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and several campaign decorations to include the Japan Occupation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Force Expeditionary Service Medal. After retiring from military service, Bob worked as a Real Estate Broker in Batesville, Arkansas.

My family had the pleasure of being Mr. Parman's neighbor for a little over a year before his sudden passing with Cancer. He was truly a fine man. The listings of his accomplishments above are amazing, but they are only additions to a very respected and kind man who has a lifelong list of accomplishments as a father, friend, and husband as well. He, and his family were a huge part of welcoming my family back to town and into his neighborhood. He watched out for everyone who shared our little street with him.  Mr. "Bob" Parman will truly be missed, but he will always have a home in the hearts of everyone who knew him.