Lt. Colonel Robert Cutler

Lt. Colonel Robert Cutler USAF Ret., a resident of Broomall, died on August 26, 2012 at his home. He was 90. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he was a 1941 graduate of Overbrook High School. He was an outstanding athlete in high school in football, basketball and wrestling and for the year 1941, he was placed on the Philadelphia All-Public School Football Team and selected as the outstanding scholar-athlete by the “One Hundred Club of Philadelphia”. After WWII, he attended San Jose State University in California, where he played basketball, and was an outstanding halfback in football. As a member of the 1947 football team, he played in the California Raisin Bowl that defeated Utah State University, the Rocky Mountain conference champs that year. Colonel Cutler received a Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California in 1953. He was a member of two national scholastic societies, Phi Epsilon Kappa and Kappa Delta Phi. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1969, he was employed by Delaware County Community College for 19 years, during which time he served as Associate Professor of Physical Development, Dean of Student Life, Director of Athletics and Director of Student Activities. During the year 1969, he organized the first intercollegiate, intramural and physical education program. He retired from the college in 1988. He was selected as the Outstanding Educator of America from Delaware Community College for the year 1974-75 in recognition for his contributions to the advancement of higher education and service to the community. In 1979, Colonel Cutler organized all two-year colleges from Pennsylvania into the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association, and in 1988, the association presented to him their Outstanding Service award for his dedication and service. He received the Four Chaplain’s Legion of Honor Award in 1990 for outstanding service to all people, regardless of race or faith. He was the first recipient of the Delaware County Basketball Coaches Assoc. Award, in 1991, for outstanding service to Delaware County basketball. Colonel Cutler was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Chapter, in 1993, as a tribute to significant athletic accomplishments and prominent stature in Phila. Sports and Beyond. His illustrious and highly decorated military career spanned 24 years and 3 conflicts from which he received a total of 27 awards and decorations, including 8 battle stars. He was a member of the famed 452nd Bomb Group, Fifth Air Force that distinguished itself by flying 4000 sorties over North Korea within 5 months. The Group was awarded both the United States and Korean Presidential Unit Citation, 6 Battle Stars and 3 Outstanding Unit Citations. During the Southeast Asia conflict, Colonel Cutler was Commander of the prime 621st Tactical Control Squadron, Seventh Air Force, which was responsible for all day and night air missions. His unit was credited with saving countless lives and aircraft and was awarded 2 outstanding unit citations and 2 Battle Stars. He was personally awarded the Bronze Star, authorized by the President of the United States. Other assignments included a 3 year tour in Germany as Senior Master Weapons Controller in the underground war room headquarters where N.A.T.O. would direct the air battle and the defense of Central Air Battle Management decisions, prior to and during war-time conditions, which involved the control of all Army missiles, fighter squadrons, and radar squadrons in Central Europe. Colonel Cutler was Commander of the ill-fated Texas Tower #4, an off-shore, long range, radar platform, located in the Atlantic Ocean, 60 miles east of Atlantic City, NJ. The tower went down in a storm in 1961. As Chief of the Technical Division, Plans and Program Directorate, Hqs. Aerospace Defense Command, he was the first to recommend that all defensive systems be put into Space. Twenty years later, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), Star Wars, was born. Husband of the late Irma (nee Green) and brother of the late David Cutler and Vera Cutler. Survived by his son Barry Cutler, his daughter Robin Cutler, his grandchildren Jessie James Hunter and Joshua John Hunter, his brothers Herbert and Jerome Cutler also his sister Augusta Gammon. Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing Fri. 8-9:15 A.M. followed by his Funeral Service precisely at 9:30A.M. at the D’ANJOLELL MEMORIAL HOME OF BROOMALL, 2811 West Chester Pike Broomall, PA 19008. Military Burial 11 A.M. at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road Newtown, PA 18940. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory to the American Heart Association 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 700 Philadelphia, PA 19103 or the American Diabetes Association 150 Monument Road Suite 100 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 would be appreciated. (Motorcycles Welcome)