Area Man who was Teacher, Professor, U.S. Air Force Colonel, Journalist, Robert Henderson, Passes Away
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on October 03, 2025
Robert Henderson was born August 12, 1940 in Morgantown, WV, the son of the late Ray and Edna Opal Park Henderson. In Henderson’s early years, he attended schools in and around Monongalia County West Virginia and southwest Pennsylvania graduating from Clay-Battelle High School, Blackville, WV, in 1958. He was an avid athlete participating in football, basketball and baseball.
Henderson attended West Virginia University graduating in 1962 with a degree in Journalism. While attending WVU, he worked on both the 
WVU student newspaper, Daily Athenaeum, and the Morgantown Dominion Post and pledged Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. After WVU he worked in the insurance industry in Hartford, CT, before returning to WVU to earn a master’s and begin Law School.
Bob had a distinguished career in the US Air Force as a Security Police officer, retiring as a Colonel. In his 25 years of service, he was stationed in Vietnam, Spain, Turkey, Germany, England, and the United States. He attended and graduated from Squadron Officers' School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. As his career progressed, he also commanded Security Police Squadrons and ultimately retiring as a senior officer at the European Air Force Headquarters in Germany.
Bob was a consummate professional, leader, and role model who was highly regarded by those with whom he served.
In retirement, he pursued his desire to raise beef cattle on the family farm near Blacksville, He also taught languages at West Virginia University and Alderson and Broaddus College. He then began teaching Spanish at Fairmont Senior High School and East Fairmont High School finishing his career by establishing a Spanish program at Clay-Battelle. He was also active with Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity‘s student programs.
Robert Henderson is survived by his wife, Rebecca Poe Henderson, Morgantown; his sister, Roberta Henderson Sprowls, Claysville, PA; his nieces and their spouses, Terry and Mark Bostich and Linda Lee and Lou Emeterio.
Visitation will be held at Greater Love Family Outreach Ministries (GLFOM), 200 Frederick Lane, Morgantown on Saturday, Oct. 4th from 11:00am until the time of the funeral service at 1:00pm, with Rev. Junius Lewis and Rev. Ken Ramsey officiating. The service will be streamed by GLFOM.
A committal service will be held Monday, Oct. 6th at 1:00pm at Miracle Run/Park Cemetery in Morgantown.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, Greater Love Family Outreach Ministries, 200 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508, or Scott’s Run Settlement House, 750 Fairchance Road, Morgantown, WV 26508.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
