Robert Malsbury

Robert Erwin Malsbury Lt. Col. USAF, Retired

Bob was born on May 18th, 1929 in Hightstown, NJ, died on May 31th, 2022 in Aurora, CO. He graduated from Rutgers University and was commissioned 2nd Lt. United States Air Force in June 1951. He retired Lt. Col. in August 1979. Bob served as Director of Accounting and Finance, Hq. PACAF, Hawaii at the end of the Vietnam War. He served in the Comptroller Field, Budget and Accounting, and Finance for 28 years. His awards include two USSF commendations, two Joint Service commendations, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Bronze Star Medal, and a Legion of Merit Medal.

He is survived by his son Richard Malsbury and daughter-in-law Judy Malsbury, of Ringoes, New Jersey; his granddaughter Susan Malsbury and her husband Ben Schwartz of Maplewood NJ; and his great-granddaughter Yana Schwartz and great-grandson Elias Schwartz. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Viola Ruth Malsbury of Georgetown, Illinois November 8th, 2018, his son, Robert Donovan on August 15th, 2019, and his grandson Michael Eric Malsbury on April 18th, 2011.

Bob was a huge Broncos fan and worked at a Big & Tall Man store after his retirement from the Air Force. The store was frequented by several Bronco football players, whom Bob befriended. Bob and Ruth would have the players and their wives over for home-cooked meals, recognizing that the players and families were sometimes away from home. Bob enjoyed biking and bowling, and his bowling friends were very important to him. An avid reader, he could devour a good book in a day.

Bob did have a hidden sense of humor. He would pretend to trip and loudly fight for balance to embarrass his kids and entertain himself. The goal was to get a bystander to say “Oh, that poor man!“ and it worked. When his sons were children, Bob once ran a thin black silk thread to a vase on the mantel during a scary movie night. Later, when everyone was watching the movie he would tug the thread to make the vase wobble until someone spotted the movement. Shock Theater.

He was a good man and will be missed by friends and family.

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