Retired Lt. Col. Robert L. Riedenauer, who flew development aircraft such as the SR-71 and U-2 while in the Air Force and later, as a Lockheed Martin test pilot, the F-117 stealth fighter, died at age 70 on April 23 at his home in Palmdale, Calif. The Associated Press reports he had fought a long battle with cancer. The City of Lancaster, Calif., inducted Riedenauer into its Aerospace Walk of Fame in 2002.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.