Captain Robert H. BELTER, USN (Ret),
Golden Eagle Emeritus
 

Gentlemen,
 
It is my sad duty to report that on Sunday, 31 May 2026, Golden Eagle Emeritus CAPT Robert H. BELTER, USN (Ret), made his Last Take Off at his residence in Carmel, California, five days before his 98th birthday.
 
Bob was born on 5 June 1928, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, to Emma and Herman Belter. Bob fell in love with aviation at an early age and soloed at age 16. As a Flying Midshipman candidate in college, he flew his own 1931 Travel Air Jr. to NAS Minneapolis to fly in a SB2C with WWII Naval Aviation brother.
 
From June 1948 to early 1950 Bob went through the Flying Midshipmen program being designated a Naval Aviator on 25 January 1950. During his training Bob was awarded as the "Outstanding Midshipman" for Class 15-48.
 
Bob transferred in April 1950 and joined VP-5. He then received orders to qualify in the P-2V Neptune at VP-5. During this tour Bob was designated as 1st Pilot as an Ensign and Plane Commander at a LTJG. This tour came to end in 1953 when Bob was ordered to the training Command at NAS Pensacola. During this tour he was designated a Primary Instructor and selected to investigate and demonstrate over 100 inverted spins in the SNJ Texan. He also was involved in the design and construction of the front seat instrument hood in the T-28 Trojan, a modification that lasted through the aircraft’s entire lifespan.
 
Bob received orders in February 1955 to VC-6 and a transition to carrier operations. His transition to jets took four months and he was qualified in the AJ-2 Savage. In July of that year, he started his first deployment on USS Bennington (CV 20) followed by a second deployment on USS Kearsarge (CV 33). During those deployments Bob was selected to fly mission profiles, the loading and carrying of the Mk 15 thermonuclear weapon. He also was involved with modifications to the Savage for safe ejection of the crew.
 
In December 1957 Bob left VC-6 and headed to VAH-123 as a Special Missions instructor. He was qualified in the A-3 Skywarrior, F-3D Skyknight, F9F Panther and P2V-3C. This tour lasted until June 1959.
 
In July 1959 Bob reported to the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He spent the following four years there earning both his bachelor’s degree as well as his Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.
 
With degrees in hand Bob returned to the fleet and was assigned to the A-3 replacement air group and then as Detachment O-in-C in VAH-4 for air wing deployments with CVW-19 on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31). This deployment was followed by another with CVW-7 on USS Independence (CV 62). This tour also included a temporary shore basing due to the assigned nuclear mission the squadron and detachments had. Flying recce and combat support missions over Vietnam, Bob accumulated 64 combat missions. The tour finally came to a close in September 1965.
 
Bob’s next assignment was as Attack Branch Head, Weapons System Test based at NATC Patuxent River, Maryland, in January 1966. He was selected to fly the F-111A/B Aardvark for glide slope evaluation in which it did not fare well. Suitability trials were next followed by various tests and evaluations in the F-8 Crusader, A-3, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, OV-10 Bronco, OV-1 Mohawk, NU-18 Otter, and C-131 Samaritan. One of his significant accomplishments during this tour was the development and testing of A-6E track-while-scan radar and new computer.
 
This tour ended in June 1968 when Bob was ordered to the A-6E Design Class Desk at NAVAIRSYSCOM. He employed his previous experience and brought the A-6E to the fleet with greatly enhanced combat capability. The job also allowed him to fly the Intruder frequently to oversee the progress of the program. Bob departed this job in June 1970 and ended up on the CVT-77 staff working for VADMs Bardshar and Cooper. While there he kept current in the A-6, A-7 and F-4 Phantom II.
 
Next, he was assigned to NAVPRO, Bethpage, New York, in June 1971 where he continued his focus on the A-6 Intruder. Of course, this job required flying which he fully enjoyed. Interestingly his last flight there was with the President of Grumman at that time, Mr. George Skurla.
 
In July 1974 Bob headed back to NAVAIR to be assigned as the Deputy program Manager for the F-14 Tomcat. There he led the F-14 team to Iran for the aircraft’s introduction and support. After the unexpected loss of two F-14s while on deployment he led a team to USS Enterprise (CVN 65), to investigate and analyze the F-14’s TF-30 failures. CAPT Robert BELTER departed NAVAIR in August 1979 when he retired from active duty.
 
While on active duty Bob was awarded 2 Air Medals, 2 Presidential Meritorious Service Medals, and a Navy Commendation Medal with Bronze Star and Combat "V".
 
After retirement Bob and his wife Buff moved to Carmel California, where he stayed active in the community as an Airport Land Use Commissioner for Monterey County, California for 11 years. He also remained active with the ANA Squadron in Monterey and was chapter president for six years. Additionally, he was an active member of Tailhook, EAA, Quiet Birdmen and the Flying Midshipmen Association.
 
Bob is survived by his ten nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years Buff and his son Lou. Bob will be buried at sea at a future date. No other services are contemplated by the family.
 
He will be missed.
 
In Sadness,
Matt MOFFIT
Pilot