Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert "Bob" R. Fuller of Sarasota, Fla., attributes his success in life to two principles acquired at the Ponca Military Academy.
He says, "Perhaps, the two most significant contributions PMA made to me personally was learning how to 'survive' and then later excelling in a highly competitive interpersonal environment and, of no less importance, the discipline — how to effectively organize one's time to achieve goals. Both were absolutely essential to me in later life."
Born in Los Angeles, with the death of his mother in 1945, Bob was sent to live with his grandmother in Enid. He then attended PMA beginning in 1946 graduating in 1950.
Memorable Event
"The most memorable event during Bob's stay at PMA was meeting his beautiful wife (of 57 years), the 1949-1950 PMA Queen, Delores Overton." 'Dee' was a 1950 graduate of Ponca City High School and a registered nurse. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science and a Master's degree in Urban Sociology.
The Fullers returned to Ponca City attend the 50th anniversary of Dee's graduating class.
Bob recalls "Coach Louis Baker was an excellent coach and to his credit, our 1949 football team, made up most of seniors including myself, was undefeated. He also taught history, but we did not learn much because he was easily maneuvered into discussions of athletics — his real love. Both George Moore, our English teacher and Ross Cubbage, our math teacher were superb."
Five years after graduating from PMA, Bob earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, a master's from Eastern New Mexico University and completed all course requirements for a Ph.D, in Government from the University of Texas in n 1967.
He spent 20 years in the Air Force from 1956 to 1976. Military service included overseas duty in Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. Domestic duty was served in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and Washington D.C., retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel in September 1976.
Military assignments were Office Training School, San Antonio, 1972-1976 as senior instructor. This was followed by serving associate professor of Political Science at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, and from 1972 to 1976 he was with Defense Intelligence Agency (Directorate of Estimates), Washington D.C.
Real Estate Second Career
After retiring from the Air Force, Bob became a Commercial Real Estate Broker in Denver and later a Commercial Real Estate Broker in San Diego. From there the Fullers moved to San Antonio for five years and in September 2003 to Sarasota.
Bob says he volunteers as a docent at the Ringling Art Museum and this is his principle hobby. Bob and Dee have four children and seven grandchildren. The last PMA reunion he attended was in 1991.