Robert Flack Williams

MAJOR ROBERT FLACK "FLAK" WILLIAMS (USAF, RET.)
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Robert Flack Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Robert E. and Nancy (Flack) Williams, and he grew up in Massillon, Ohio. He graduated from Washington High School in 1955. Known to his friends and classmates as "Flak," he was a true athlete who excelled on both the basketball and tennis courts. On the field of competition, Flak earned a reputation for being remarkably cool, calm, and collected under pressure.

Beyond athletics, Flak possessed a passion for technology and gadgets, famously cluttering his cadet dorm room with a wide assortment of electronics. At the Air Force Academy, he actively contributed to cadet life as a member of Cadet Squadron 4, served on the Entertainment Committee, and participated in the Forensic Association before graduating with the historic Class of 1959.

MILITARY SERVICE AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

Following graduation and commissioning, Major Williams built a distinguished 20-plus-year career in the United States Air Force centered on technical leadership, missile instruction, aircraft maintenance, and high-level program management. Early in his career, he served as an instructor at the Tactical Missile School at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, before moving to Headquarters PACAF at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During this period, he earned his Navigator Rating and pursued post-graduate studies, receiving a Master of Science in Aerospace Operations Management from the University of Southern California in 1968.

In 1970, Major Williams deployed to South Vietnam, serving as Chief of Maintenance for 14th DCS Operations at Nha Trang Air Base. His wartime service in Southeast Asia earned him the Bronze Star Medal.

Upon returning to the United States, Major Williams dedicated much of his remaining military service to the Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) and advanced technology systems at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He served as Project Officer in the Office of Special Projects and subsequently managed crucial weapon and reconnaissance system programs, including the Precision Location Strike System (PLSS) Program Office and the TR-1 High-Altitude Reconnaissance System Program Office. For his service and leadership, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

CIVILIAN CAREER, COMMUNITY, AND LEGACY

After retiring from active military service at the rank of Major, Flak continued his dedication to defense technologies in the civilian sector around Dayton, Ohio. He served as Business Development Manager for LOGICON, Project Engineer for SEMCOR and AMP, and ultimately spent two decades (1989–2009) as a Program Manager for MTL Systems Inc.

Major Williams passed away in 2010 in Beavercreek Township, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Nigel, and survived by his wife, Mary Jane; his son, Matt; his daughter, Tina; and his brother, Ronald K. Williams. He was laid to rest with full military honors.

EDUCATION

Washington High School (Massillon, OH) High School Diploma 1955
United States Air Force Academy Bachelor of Science (CS-04) 1959
University of Southern California M.S. Aerospace Operations Management 1968

MEDALS, AWARDS & RATINGS

Bronze Star Medal 1
Meritorious Service Medal 1
Air Force Commendation Medal 2 (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Aeronautical Rating Navigator Rating

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1960–1964 Instructor Tactical Missile School, Lowry AFB, CO
1964–1968 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Headquarters PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI
1968–1970 Project Officer Office of Special Projects, AFLC, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1970–1971 Chief of Maintenance 14DCS Operations, Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam
1971–1975 Project Officer Office of Special Projects, AFLC, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1975–1979 Program Manager PLSS System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1980–1983 Program Manager TR-1 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1983–1985 Program Manager Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1985–1986 Business Development Manager LOGICON, Dayton, OH
1987–1989 Program / Project Engineer AMP (Fairborn, OH) / SEMCOR (Dayton, OH)
1989–2009 Program Manager MTL Systems Inc., Dayton, OH