John Robert Pittman
In Loving Memory
John R. “Bob” Pittman, CW2 Retired, husband and father, passed away on April 14, 2025, at his home in Killeen, TX. Bob was born January 2, 1938, in Altoona, PA and grew up in York, PA. He was the son of Robert and Gladys Pittman. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Natalie Pittman, his sister Bette Swenson of York, PA, four sons, Mark Pittman and his wife, Victoria of York, PA, David Pittman and his wife, Maria of Mountville, PA, Erik Pittman and wife, Debbie currently serving in Hawaii and Jason Pittman and wife Vicki currently serving in Canberra, Australia and daughter Amy Ward and her husband Rick of Lancaster, PA. He also leaves behind six granddaughters, Lauren Bowles, Marci Eck, Emily Samson, Andrea Schulz, Katherine Pittman and Pia Pittman and grandsons Adam Pittman, Brenden Ward, David Ward, and Daniel Vazquez. Additionally, he had seven great-grandchildren, Cameron Eck, Nolan Eck, Marcus Thomassy, Ethan Bowles, Rowan Samson, Sutton Samson, and Sophia Schulz.
He was a 1956 graduate of Central York High School where he excelled at sports as a three-letter varsity winner in baseball, basketball, and volleyball where he was known by his classmates as ‘Pit’. He was very active in sports all through his younger years in the military playing football, volleyball, and best known for being a premiere fast pitch softball pitcher learning the game while in the Air Force. He continued with sports serving on the All Army fast-pitch softball team where he met and played with Coach K. That was a friendship that has survived all the years with frequent visits to Raleigh and phone conversations. He served as the Amateur Softball Associations' Deputy Umpire in Chief for the State of Texas for a number of years. He also refereed basketball.
Bob served in the National Guard while in high school, 14 years in the Air Force as an air weather technician, transferring to the Army becoming a warrant officer in artillery meteorological support. He retired from the Army at Fort Hood after serving 22 ½ years serving our country.
After retirement in May of 1977, Bob and Natalie owned the Angel House, a pet store for 10 years. Bob was active in the American Budgerigar Society raising and showing budgies as well as serving as a judge for many years. He was also the editor and publisher of the ABS bulletin for 14 years.
Bob worked first as a substitute teacher and later as the discipline secretary at Killeen High School and the Alternative High School for KISD until his retirement.
Bob, together with Natalie, served as the president of the Killeen High Band Boosters Club. They organized the bringing of the drum and bugle corps show to Killeen for 4 years providing great financial support to the KHS band program. He was instrumental in the band booster's successful t-shirt sales after KHS won the state championship football game in 1991.
A private service will be held at a later date at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.