Veteran Salute: Getting to serve his country and community at the same time

TOPEKA (KSNT) – After more than three decades with the Kansas Air Guard, a Kansas veteran is continuing to serve his country well into retirement.

Originally considering joining the air force, Robert Webb instead decided the National Guard was a better way to serve his nation, while still working in his community. In 1956, Webb started as a jet aircraft mechanic, getting to work on the F-18, F-86, and F-100s. 

Eventually, he got the opportunity to cross-train, something unheard of in those days, and the chance to transfer to personnel. 

“I stayed in personnel up through the ranks of E8 or Senior Master Sergeant. And then got an opportunity to be commissioned,” Webb said. “And so I got commissioned and served as personnel officer, as a squadron commander, and also as a comptroller, and final assignment was a base services officer. So I enlisted up through grade E8 and then got commissioned and retired as a lieutenant colonel with 31 years of service.”

Webb went on to become the first person assigned to the three major units of the Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell Air Force Base, State Headquarters in the State Capitol, and Forbes Field. 

As if he wasn’t already making history, Webb had an additional duty as a mortuary affairs and casualty assistance officer. That led him into his second career here in Topeka. 

“Having gone through there several times, I felt like maybe I would become a funeral director,” Webb said. “But in those days, you had to be an embalmer as well. So I instead did pre-planned funeral plans for 20-some years and then had the opportunity to become a funeral director. So I got licensed as a funeral director, and then this next month I will completed 30 years with the funeral industry here in Topeka. “ 

Webb now resides in Silver Lake, where he is very active, involved, and recognized within the community. Gaining life memberships in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and National Guard Association of Kansas, and the United States. 

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