Chief Master Sergeant Robert “Bob” Godfrey Mellender was born on December 17, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away on June 6, 2024, at the age of 80 years old after a long battle with leukemia and lung cancer.
CMSgt Mellender graduated from Crete-Monee High School in Illinois and attended The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He served more than 22 years in the United States Air Force where he flew multiple combat tours and rescue missions during the Vietnam War between the years of 1960-1970 in a UH-1H (Huey) helicopter.
He spent most of his military service overseas in multiple countries in Asia and Europe. He held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Force Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license and FAA Inspector Authorization (IA). He taught aviation courses while in Asia. He was also a charter member of the Experimental Aviation Group in Japan.
Bob was an amazing father, husband, grandpa, and friend who was loved by many. He helped a lot of people and changed their lives for the better, especially the U.S. Veterans which he called the “Home Boys.”
Bob is survived by his wife, Ludivina, and their children, Alona, Pinky, Donna, Victoria, and Dilon.