Colonel Robert J. Latina of Bedford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at home.  He lived a life devoted to God, to family, and to country.  Mission accomplished, good job, well done.

He was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1929 to Robert and Josephine (Breaux) Latina.

Gifted with a brilliant mind, he earned degrees from Tulane, LSU, and George Washington University.  In 1951 he began his Air Force career at Lackland AFB.  Soon after, PFC RJ Latina graduated from OCS and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He served our country for 29 years as an Air Force officer.  Making rank in R&D, as a Systems Analysis Officer, and a Systems Engineering Management Officer, he became a student and faculty member-lecturer at Air Command and Staff College.  He worked to develop our country's defensive missile and satellite systems and directed Configuration Management and USAF Data Processing computer systems. He was a member of the President's Advisory Council on Management.

He retired from Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford and went on to work at Wang Corporation in Lowell as the Director of Federal Procurement.

He met Mary Kutina, the love of his life, in New Orleans after roaring into her life on his motorcycle.  Mary predeceased him after 32 years of a loving marriage.

His interests were many. He loved to dance.  He was the self-proclaimed "best" gin rummy player in the world.  He played the clarinet in high school with jazz great Pete Fountain. He mastered surfing in Huntington Beach, CA and downhill skiing in New England.  Later, he loved walking with friends, especially for the spirited political debate they all shared.  His many loving friends from Cursillo shared and supported his devotion to God.

His finest life achievement and greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his seven children-- Robert, David, and Brian Latina, Susan Sterrett, Mary Mayville, Lori Riedel, and Kerry Markey.  He delighted in being Granddaddy, and Great-Granddaddy to his 25 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.  He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered as the patriarch of the Latina family.

Friends are invited to his visitation on Sunday, June 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Road Bedford, MA 01730.  A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, on Monday, June 14, at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 25 North Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824.  Burial will be on Tuesday, June 15, at The Massachusetts National Cemetery, in Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to, The Professional Center for Handicapped Children, 32 Osgood Street Andover, MA 01810.  thepccd.org