Bob B. Thacker

Bob B. Thacker, 94, of Prescott, Arizona, formerly of Santa Barbara, Ca. died December 18, 2014 in the Community Living Center at the Prescott V.A. surrounded by his wife and caregivers. Bob was born in Smyrna, GA in 1920 to Roy E. Thacker and Ida Pearl Thacker (Coward). He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Connie, his children Joyce (by his first wife Gladys Patterson) of Pacific Palisades, California, Troy Thacker (Claudia) of Ventura, Ca., Terri Thacker of Sacramento, CA., grandchildren Bruce (Kathy), Mark (Carolyn), Henry, Lily and Jonah, great grandchildren Kelly, Nicole, Savannah and Austin, sisters Evelyn and Donna of Georgia. Bob graduated from Reinhardt College with a B.A., Auburn with a B.S. in pharmacy and Baylor with a M.A. in hospital administration. He retired from the Air Force after 30 years, attaining the rank of colonel. He served as a bombardier instructor during WWII, and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He transferred to the Medical Service Corps and established the first pharmacy technician training program for the Air Force. Later he served the remainder of his career as a hospital administrator. While serving at the AF Tachikawa Hospital in Japan he met and later married R.N. Connie (Bates). After retiring from the military Bob and Connie moved to Santa Barbara, Ca. where Bob served as hospital administrator at the University of California Student Health. Bob then served as a pharmacist for Santa Barbara drug stores working closely with the Ostomy Society and American Cancer Society. In 1993 Bob and Connie moved to Prescott where he began volunteer work with Prescott People Who Care, hospice and as a deacon and Stephen Minister with Trinity Presbyterian Church. During his active years Bob’s hobbies were fishing and gardening. As health declined he chose reading and creative writing to occupy his time.