Tupelo - Robert B. (Bob) Caldwell, 69, died Thursday, January 5, 2012 at the North MS Medical Center after a sudden illness. He was born November 23, 1942 in Columbus to Albert Percy and Mary Josephine Bland Caldwell. He was a graduate of S.D. Lee High school in Columbus, MS and attended MSU and USM majoring in Business Administration. He retired from the MS Army National Guard after 38 years of service as a Maintenance Test Pilot. Following retirement from the military, he continued working as a pilot for The "Hospital Wing" air ambulance service in Memphis. He transferred back to Tupelo working as a pilot for "Care Flight" air ambulance services for 5 years with North MS Medical Center. Robert was a cancer survivor and cherished every day. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was president of Tallulah Hunting Club north of Vicksburg. He was a member of the 100th Bomb Group Foundation, a charter member of the MOAA and served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. He loved to travel and cherished his friends and family. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and Norris "Piggie" Caldwell's Sunday school class. He will be missed more than words can say.

Services will be 3 PM Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. David Aldridge officiating. Burial with full Military Honors will be in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Adrian Leist Caldwell of Tupelo; two sons, Robert B. Caldwell, Jr. (Laura) of Green Cove Springs, FL and Stan M. Caldwell (Ranae) of Tupelo; two sisters, Shirley Seals (Dwanton) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Margery Grammer of Spring, TX; three brothers, Albert Caldwell (Jean of Dickinson, TX, Richard Caldwell (Nancy) of Memphis, TN and Rudy Caldwell (Lee) of Tupelo; three grandchildren, Taylor Caldwell, Haley Caldwell and Gracie Caldwell; numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be members of the MS Army National Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kevin Caldwell, Stan Caldwell, Rudy Caldwell, Jr., Frank Caldwell, Russell Caldwell, Don Grammer, Jr. and Allen Seals.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund.

Visitation will be 4 - 7 Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church.