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Robert Young

Jan 27, 2021

Robert Jay Young, 61, of Altus, Oklahoma, passed away on January 17, 2021 after a several year battle with cancer. Bob was born on November 29, 1959 to Jay and Mary Young. He grew up on a cattle ranch in Cassoday, Kansas, where he spent his days roping cattle, riding horses, and annoying his little sister, Kristina.
After graduating from Flinthills High School in 1977, he went on to study Animal Science at K-State, where he met his future wife, Carolyn Schuetze. Their 38¬year marriage would welcome two children, Ian and Austin. It would also span a 14¬ year Air Force career, taking him everywhere from Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait, humanitarian missions in Somalia, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, and to Antarctica, becoming only the 5th pilot to land a C¬5 on the ice. He also flew T37s and C¬141s, eventually becoming a flight simulator instructor for the C¬17 in Altus.
Bob was a man of many hats: Skilled storyteller. Real¬life cowboy. Accomplished cook. Doting grandpa. Farm sale treasure hunter. Sports radio enthusiast. Card shark. K¬State fanatic. Avid hunter. Professional tinkerer. Exceptional pilot, and dedicated teacher. No event was too formal for his signature Hawaiian shirts, and no joke was too dirty to tell.
Bob’s father, Jay, preceded him in death, as did his nephew, Todd Sanders. He is survived by wife Carolyn, sons Ian (wife Kali) and Austin (partner Hunter), and two grandchildren he called “criminals!” every time they ran in the front door (aliases: Karsen and Henry). He is also survived by his mother, Mary Young of Cassoday, sister Kris Martinsen (husband Dr. Chris), sister¬in¬law, Dr. Linda McDonald (husband Pete, deceased), nieces Alexis Vellek (husband Steven) and Clara Schankie (husband Jacob), nephew Brad Sanders (wife Sharon), five great¬nieces, two great-nephews, and more cousins than you can shake a stick at.
Services will be held Saturday, January 23 at 1 p.m., at the Cassoday Community Church. Immediately following will be the interment of his ashes at Cassoday Cemetery with military honors.
Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice. Gin and tonics can be made and enjoyed, preferably while wearing a Hawaiian shirt.
Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, OK.