Colonel Robert L. Savory: Hard Act to Follow

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs Office
Barksdale AFB, La. --  A large pair of shoes was left worn, empty and hard to fill on the doorstep of the 917th Medical Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., with the retirement of Col. Robert L. Savory, October 3, 2009.

Medical Director for the 917th Wing since 1999, Colonel Savory was finally shoved out the door to the ranks of the retired after more than 32 years of honorable military service to his country and community, which began and ended, right here at Barksdale.

Born in Denver, Colo., Colonel Savory made the trip east as a youngster when his father transplanted the family to the Shreveport-Bossier area after accepting a job here with United Gas Corp in the 1950's.

While still in high school and working part-time in the clinical lab at the old Physician and Surgeons Hospital, which is long gone now, Colonel Savory discovered he enjoyed being with and helping people.

"It's one of those things that hits you," Colonel Savory said. "Then, you just go into it."

That's just what he did, completing his medical Degree in 1976. But, for Colonel Savory it wasn't all a bed of roses, and that's where the Air Force came in.

"I was a resident, and it was a bad weekend of 72-hour calls, and a recruiter's post card came in the mail with pictures of planes, and I sent it in," Colonel Savory said. "Three weeks later, a recruiter called. We talked. I said yes - let's do it."

He went on active duty in flight medicine at Barksdale in July of 1977 and then moved to the Reserve side in July of 1980.

Colonel Savory, a Family Medicine practitioner, and an Air Force Reservist, could have gone anywhere after completing residency in 1982, but he chose to stay in the local area.

That decision would affect more than just Colonel Savory. It would come to affect everyone whose life he has touched over the many years.

"I have lot of friends here - I went through medical school and remained at Barksdale," Colonel Savory said. "Shreveport's a good city. I grew up here and stayed here."

He met his wife, Sandra when he was an intern at Louisiana State University Medical Center, where she was an intern in the medical technology program. They eventually married, and had a daughter in 1983.

Medicine became a family affair. Their daughter, Stephanie, followed in her parents footsteps and also became a physician.

"You can't be in medicine without support from your family - it's impossible. Support has been great from my family, my group and family practice," Colonel Savory said. "Add Air Force work on top of an already busy practice - you have to have it. I'm really thankful they have been there for me."

Still a practicing physician, Colonel Savory hopes that retirement from the military will slow him down just a bit.

He is already planning a two-week vacation to have some free time with his daughter in Dallas, who is presently a resident at Parkland Hospital.

"I'd like to travel and experience a few leisure activities," Colonel Savory said. "I told my wife I would try and not find a new job."

While looking forward to the future, Colonel Savory can't help but look back on his career at Barksdale with fond memories. He actually delivered a baby during a unit training assembly (UTA) weekend in the 1990's.

"It was the last one I ever delivered - before the Barksdale hospital wound down to a clinic."

Soon after, the Barksdale hospital reorganized its services. Officials could not be reached for comment on the "real" reasons for the draw down of medical procedures performed at the Barksdale.

Upon reflecting the hurdles and accomplishments of his career with the 917th Wing, he summarized it with the following.

"If you look at the Reserve forces when you come in ... the family is going to give up a lot for your career - it can be good or difficult. The people who stay enjoy it. It's a good thing. As commander, I hope I've helped (our Airmen) through hard times, such as Desert Storm and the many deployments throughout the years. I think we've done a very good job as a medical squadron in taking care of our people, making sure they're safe and able to do their jobs and get back here safely and continue to serve as long as they want in the Reserve Forces."

"I'm going to miss everybody here - that's for sure. It's a great wing, and it's on the forefront of so many new things to come. It's going to be exciting because the whole world is watching the (917th Wing) - literally," he said. "I know they're going to do a good job."