Robert S. Cannon was born in Charlotte‚ North Carolina‚ in 1962. All who knew him called him ‘Robbie.’ He was a senior master sergeant with the Air National Guard‚ where he served for 29 years‚ the last 21 years as a flight engineer with the 145th

Operations Support Flight. As part of his duties‚ he was a member of an elite‚ highly trained team proficient in Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS). He died on July 1‚ 2012‚ along with three other crewmen‚ in the White Draw Fire in South Dakota. The Charlotte-based Air National Guard crews were helping the Colorado‚ Wyoming‚ and California National Guard units battle the Waldo Canyon and Flagstaff Fires in Colorado; the Arapaho Fire in Wyoming; and the White Draw Blaze in South Dakota.

Robbie served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and participated in humanitarian missions in the United States and overseas.

Robbie leaves behind his wife of 22 years‚ Melanie; his 18-year-old son‚ Alex; and his 16-year-old daughter‚ Madeline. He is also survived by his father‚ Robert F. Cannon‚ and his sister‚ Teresa.

When at home‚ Robbie loved to be with his family and volunteered in school‚ sports‚ and activities that his children were involved in‚ such as basketball‚ track‚ cross-country‚ football‚ scouts‚ and church. He loved to ride his BMW motorcycle and was part of a group called Adventure Riders‚ participating in cycling trips throughout the country.

Everyone who knew Robbie appreciated his sense of humor‚ fun-loving personality‚ kindness‚ and fondness for laughter and pranks. He travelled all over the country and the world and ‘never met a stranger.’ He loved to help others and serve‚ often going above and beyond to help a friend or neighbor.

Although he is dearly missed every day‚ we are humbly proud of the person that Robbie was and the wonderful legacy of husband‚ father‚ serviceman‚ and patriot that he left behind for us to remember and cherish for all the days forward.