Robert B. Machen LTC U.S. Army (Ret.)

Robert B Machen, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.) August 26, 1933 - October 14, 2025

Robert “Bobby” B. Machen, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired), passed away on October 14, 2025. A family graveside service will be held at 10:00am November, 14, 2025 at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, LA. Following the burial service with military honors, a Life Celebration will be held from 2:00pm - 5:00pm at Calvert Crossing Golf Club, 515 Hodge Watson Road, Calhoun, LA.

Bobby was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy “Dee Dee” W. Machen, and was interned alongside her. He was also preceded by his parents, William James Machen, and Mary Evelyn Turner. Bobby is survived by his sons, Lasley “Laz” S. Machen of West Monroe, LA, and Mark R. Machen and his wife, Patti, of Fairfax, VA. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Keeley (David) Shares and their two children, Dottie and Hank, of St. Louis, MO; Marinn (Jimmy) Conklin of Fairfax, VA; Hailey (Michael) Judge and their child, Avery, of Bristow, VA; William (Sarah) Machen of Goldsboro, NC; Joshua (Mackenzie) Machen of West Monroe, LA; and Nic Machen of West Monroe, LA. Additionally, Bobby is survived by three brothers, Curtis Machen (Jean) of Daphne, AL, Richard Machen (Louise) of Memphis, TN, and Buddy Machen of Honduras; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born in Tallulah, LA, Bobby graduated from Rayville High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University where he met and then married Dee Dee on February 24, 1956. Bobby entered the Army on February 10, 1957, served his country for over 22 years and earned the rank of Lt. Colonel. LTC Machen attended flight school in Fort Rucker, AL and flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft for the Army during his long aviation career. He logged approximately 4,000 hours of flight time, which included serving in combat regions of Korea and Vietnam. LTC Machen could fly any aircraft that the Army had at the airfield and was proficient with the UH-19 Chickasaw during the Korean War; and then the Bell UH-1 Iroquois better known as the “Huey”, CH-47 Chinook, Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe or “The Crane”, Hughes OH-6 Cayuse or “Loach” in Vietnam. He was an Instrument Flight Examiner with Special Instrument Certificates for helicopter and airplane. Due to his proficiency, he was a check pilot for many upcoming pilots and for those pilots looking to expand their ability to fly additional aircraft. LTC Machen’s favorite flights were when he flew President Eisenhower as Army One. During his military career, LTC Machen earned the Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with seventh Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster; Senior Army Aviators Badge; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge; Headquarters Department of Army Identification Badge; and Defense Meritorious Service medal. LTC Machen would say that his most notable contribution during his military career alongside Dee Dee was the creation of the POW-MIA stamp so that those military members would not be forgotten. The POW-MIA stamp was inspired so that Bobby’s friend Bruce Sebert would not be forgotten.

During his military career, LTC Machen was a perpetual student by earning his Masters of Education from The College of William and Mary; and a PhD for his Doctorate of Psychology from American University. Bob also completed his education with a Juris Doctorate from the International School of Law (which became the George Mason University School of Law) after he retired from the Army. He practiced law with a focus on advocating for military spouses during divorce proceedings due to his extensive knowledge of the military. Bob enjoyed the legal arena and the under-represented as it involved a challenge that allowed him to make the largest impact for those individuals needing legal assistance.

Bob was an avid sports enthusiast, including football where he played at Hines Junior College back in the leather helmet days. He devotedly followed LSU and the Washington Redskins, as well as any sport that he could attend (despite not knowing all the rules for some sports) to watch his sons and grandchildren play. This included football, soccer, baseball, field hockey, softball, cheerleading, dance, basketball, lacrosse, track/cross country, and golf. Bob also enjoyed bowling and rolled at least one perfect 300 game; skiing in Germany and the east coast, and many rounds of golf including one long day playing 72 holes in Scotland.

Bob thoroughly enjoyed talking with friends, family and anyone who would listen to his stories as he had the ability to captivate any audience. He was able to provide details and possible facts about most anything, especially flying in the Army, sports, legal cases and anything else that may be of public interest or current events. Bob welcomed many friends and guests to his home and condo in Arlington, VA - mainly thanks to Dee Dee’s home cooking and southern hospitality. Bob’s night tours of Washington DC were the highlight of many visitors in addition to the views from their condo overlooking the Pentagon and many of Washington’s monuments.

Arrangements are being handled by Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Virginia, and Mulhearn Funeral Home in Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking you to make a contribution in Bob’s name to Goodwin Hospice of Falls Church (3440 S. Jefferson Street, Falls Church, VA 22041) through the Goodwin Living Foundation (https://goodwinliving.org/giving/programs/hospice/); or to the Military Family Assistance (MFA) Fund for Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (https://www.la.egov.com/dva/mfadonations/).