Robert von Bargen
President Emeritus
Colonel
USAF Retired
Colonel (USAF Retired) Robert “Bob” von Bargen has dedicated his life to service—both in uniform and in his civilian endeavors. His distinguished career spans military aviation, homeland defense, mental health advocacy, historical preservation, and corporate management.
Military Service
Bob began his military career in high school by enlisting in the Coast Guard Reserve, focusing on Port Security. He transferred to the Air Force ROTC at Queens College of the City of New York, earned his commission, and served over 35 years in both active and reserve capacities.
Bob accumulated over 5,000 flight hours in air refueling with the Strategic Air Command and airlift missions with the Air Force Reserve Command. As an Air Reserve Technician and reservist, he maintained combat readiness during both the Cold War and the Vietnam War. He served in command and staff roles within the 514th Military Airlift Wing at McGuire AFB. Subsequently, he developed military contingency plans for Homeland Defense, aimed at supporting civilians during national attacks, civil unrest, or natural disasters, specifically for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Leadership and Community Involvement
Bob has held leadership roles in military and veterans’ organizations. He previously served as president of the McGuire Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association and spent years as a director of the McGuire Foundation. He participated in the planning and development of Starlifter Park at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a site dedicated to airlift operations that includes a Lockheed C-141 Starlifter aircraft.
Bob, Co-founder of the Armed Forces Heritage Museum, manages its Living History Program, interviewing veterans and producing documentaries. He is also a member of the Burlington County Historians Roundtable and has received the county’s History Recognition Award for Achievement and Leadership.
Since 2008, Bob has led a Memoirs Group that initially convened at a bookstore but transitioned to Zoom during the pandemic. Participants from various states read on diverse topics and receive recordings for family archives, while others join in to gain knowledge and enjoyment.
Mental Health Advocacy
For over three decades, Bob worked to support families affected by mental illness. He was on the Board of Directors of the Drenk Behavioral Health Center and served as a director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Burlington (NAMI). His contributions helped shape policy, education, and support services in New Jersey. For fifteen years, Bob was a member of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health. He was also a member of a Burlington County committee that developed law enforcement training programs aimed at helping police officers handle mental health crises using de-escalation techniques, reducing the risk of violence and unnecessary incarceration.
Corporate and Business Leadership
Bob has experience in the corporate sector, holding positions in sales management and product marketing. He was Director of Training at FMC Corporation, a Fortune 100 company. His leadership in training emphasized innovation, leadership, and efficiency, shaping workforce development within the company.
Legacy and Impact
Bob von Bargen’s career has spanned national security, military history preservation, mental health initiatives, and mentoring future leaders. His wife Ellen has supported him throughout their 67 years of marriage, contributing to his professional achievements.