Colonel (Ret.) Robert A. Ferguson, born on December 13, 1948, in Aberdeen, Maryland, passed on to Eternal Life with our Lord on June 30, 2021.
Born at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Bob began his life adventure as a military dependent living in Rome NY, Germany, France, Japan and San Antonio Texas. Bob was the oldest of nine children and attended St. Paul's Catholic Grade School and Holy Cross Catholic High School. He went on to receive a Bachelors of Science in history and government and a Masters of Social Work from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where he met and married his beloved, Pauline Trad, and together they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Elizabeth Marie and Katherine Mary – whom Bob lovingly referred to as "my three ladies."
Bob was a devoted husband of 51 years, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, Eagle Scout, world traveler, historian, talented carpenter, community volunteer, an American Patriot and decorated war hero. Bob proudly served his country starting in ROTC and the US Army, followed by over 26 years of active duty service with the US Air Force, where he led mental health and medical readiness for the joint forces command, and among numerous other medals of honor, he received the Bronze Star in Desert Storm/Desert Shield War.
He dedicated his life to serving his wife and children, making great sacrifices to provide for their physical, emotional, educational and (especially) spiritual needs. Above everything else, Bob shared with them his devout and intense faith in and love for Jesus Christ, His Blessed Mother, His Catholic Church, and the Eucharist, which was the center of Bob's life and the source of his great strength. He was very active in various parishes, organizations and other Catholic apostolates and movements, attending daily Mass and Adoration, and praying the Rosary daily. Bob made many pilgrimages to holy sites all over the world, including the Holy Land, and one that he was most passionate about was serving as a volunteer for 17 years at Lourdes, France in the Hospitalite Notre Dame de Lourdes.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Pauline, and his beloved children, Elizabeth Marie and her husband Andy Tramel and Katherine Mary; and by his five treasured grandchildren, Andrew, Anne Marie, Katherine Grace, Joseph and Robert. He is also survived by siblings Carol Gray, Patricia Dunn, Jon Ferguson, Susan Laguna and Terence Ferguson; and many nieces and nephews. Bob is predeceased by his parents, Chief Master Sergeant Robert F. Ferguson and Eleanor Ferguson, his sister Teresa Lynn, and brothers James Brian and Timothy Shawn.
Pauline, Elizabeth and Katherine were able to be with Bob, holding his hands as he took his last breaths and was ushered Home into Heaven. He received the Apostolic Pardon and Anointing from our Priest, the tremendous grace of a happy and blessed death. He is now experiencing what we prepare our whole lives for, eternal life with our Lord and Blessed Mother whom he loved deeply and served devoutly.
The Ferguson family thanks all of you for your prayers, support and friendship, and we thank God for the divine gift of His Bobbie. He loved us all so well, and his bright smile never met a stranger, evangelizing and encouraging everyone he encountered by his life lived. |