Funeral services for COL (Retired) Robert S. Bridgford will be at 9:30 a.m. Frid., Jan. 26, 2024, in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel, Lawton, Oklahoma.
Burial with full military honors will be in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.
The service may be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.
Viewing will be Wed., Jan. 24 and Thurs., Jan. 25, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
COL (Retired) Robert S Bridgford went to be with the Lord on Jan. 12, 2024, in Austin, Texas. He was born Feb. 11, 1961, in Indio, Calif. to James A. Bridgford and Margie F. Bridgford.
Bob decided at nine years old that he wanted to become a military officer by going to the United States Military Academy. As a young man, he would write letters to West Point stating his desire to attend school there, he said he had quite the bulging packet at West Point by the time he arrived. One of Bob’s favorite things to do in elementary school was to go to the library and read encyclopedias. He was a voracious reader and loved going to school. He understood that to be appointed to USMA he had to academically excel in school and be an outstanding athlete. He accomplished that and so much more at Mexico High School.
Bob entered West Point in the summer of 1979 and was a proud member of I-4. He graduated in May,1983 and chose Field Artillery as his branch. Bob had a distinguished 30-year career which started at the Officers Basic Course at Fort Sill and then he served as a Lieutenant at Fort Riley. After the Advanced Course, Bob served in Germany where commanded a battery and participated in a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. Later, he had assignments at Fort Huachuca, Fort Gordon, Carlisle, Pa., and then back to Germany. After that, Bob commanded the 2-5th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Sill where he deployed and led the Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. Bob attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI. and then he served on the US Indo Pacific Command Staff at Camp Smith, HI. He then came back to Fort Sill and served as the 50th Chief of Staff. His last assignment was as the Vice Commander and Deputy Installation Commander at Fort Sam Houston. Throughout his career, Bob was considered a Field Artillery and Fires subject matter expert.
Bob continued his service to our nation’s defense during his exceptional 10-year career at Boeing Defense, Space & Security as the Senior Manager in charge of Global Sales and Marketing to the Army’s Futures Command and serving in local AUSA leadership positions and events.
Bob’s numerous awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd Award), Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5th Award), the Ancient Order of St. Barbara to include various and other awards and commendations.
Bob was a Kansas City Chiefs, Missouri Tigers and Army Black Knights Fan. He always made time for football, baseball, and golf.
Robert was married to Shirley J (Howard) Bridgford of Lawton, Okla. since Sept. 7, 1991. They have two children, Benjamin Bridgford, and Alexis Bridgford, he is preceded in death by his mother Margie Bridgford and nephew Brennen Berry. He is survived by his father James A Bridgford, three brothers Chuck A., Allen J and Chanse K. Bridgford and one sister Debbie J. Berry. The family ask that donations be given to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) in Robert Bridgford’s name.
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com .
