Robert E. Black

Maj. Robert Edgar Black, (US Army, Ret.) passed away peacefully at his home on Lake Sinclair on Nov. 4, 2015. He was buried with Full Military Honors on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 in Poplarville, MS. Major Black was a career Army Officer with Twenty Two years of service, retiring in January 1976. He received his Airborne training before going to Army Flight School and later served with the 101st Airborne Division. He transitioned to helicopters before a tour in Munich, Germany and then in Vietnam as a combat rescue pilot. He also served two tours in S. Korea and at several stateside posts. Maj. Black was assigned to ROTC Duty at Georgia Military College in 1970 where he served as Professor of Military Science for much of the 1970’s until his retirement. He was a senior Army Aviator, A senior Flight Instructor and held a commercial pilots license. Maj. Black was awarded the Vietnam service Medal with 3 bronze stars; Air Medals (7);Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/palm; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (South Korea) along with numerous other medals and honors. He was especially proud of his work organizing and supporting orphanages in Vietnam and South Korea. He also derived a great deal of satisfaction from being able to mentor many young men at GMC and around the world. He was a graduate of the University of Southern Miss. with a degree in History. He later earned two Masters degrees. Maj. Black was born in Kingsport, TN to John William Black, Sr and Mignon Hill Black. He grew up in Chattanooga, TN before moving to Mississippi where he attended college and married before going on active duty. He loved his family dearly and will be remembered with deep respect, love and honor as an intelligent and compassionate man. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother John William Black, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia Winborn Black; daughters, Patricia Lynn Black of Denver, CO and Susan (Stan) Rosen of Lenox, MA; sons, Thomas Robert (Roisin) Black of Fairfield, CT and Christopher J. (Leslie) Black of Jacksonville, FL; sister Carol Black (Larry) Smith of Greenwell Springs,LA; brother-in-law Bill (Cynthia) Winborn of Poplarville, MS; grandchildren, Jonah Baker of Denver, CO, Lauren Rosen of Lenox, MA, Courtney (Jeff) Rosen Vining of El Paso, TX, Rebecca Black (Wesley) Echohawk of Maui, HI, Tristan Rosen and Colin Rosen of Lenox, MA, Will Black and Garrison Black of Macon, GA, Kiernan Black and Brennan Black of Fairfield, CT; Eight great grandchildren numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Robert E. Black

December 31, 1935 - November 4, 2015