MADISON – Robert ‘Bob’ Hannah joined the U.S. Army in 1988. After 24 years of service, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

He completed Basic Training at U.S. Military Academy at West Point. From 1988-1990, he served in Camp Garry Owen in Korea. While at Fort Stewart, Ga., he deployed for 7.5 months for Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

His hometown is Belle Fourche, S.D. in the Black Hills. Hannah also served at Fort Hood, Texas; Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.; Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Warren, Mich.; and in 2009-2012 at Space and Missile Defense Command.

The last move placed the family closer to Linda Hannah’s relatives in Coastal Georgia. “Everyone we had ever met who served here said it was an amazing place to raise a family,” he said.

“The best part of the service is always about amazing people that you serve with and great adventures. Hardship builds incredible bonds,” Hannah said.

In civilian life, the best part has been community volunteering, especially as coach, board member, referee and trainer for AYSO 498 Soccer. ” … My passion for the last seven years,” he said. “I believe to the bottom of my heart, if we challenge, encourage and love these kids, we (can) change the world, one person at a time, by taking ownership and caring for each other.”

He also enjoys helping at school. “My favorite volunteer duty is ‘Horizon Elementary Car Line Specialist’ … weekly for many years. I love seeing ‘our’ kids and giving them a fist bump.” At Asbury United Methodist Church, Hannah helps with Dave Ramsey classes and youth choir.

“I love being Dad and a family man. Doing anything with my kids is the best. Last fall, I was blessed to coach both girls on the same soccer team for the second time,” Hannah said. “The team’s girls did an amazing job of growing as leaders and looking after each other — important life skills. Lately, my girls have picked up shooting together, and we enjoy that.”

He earned a bachelor’s degree from West Point and a master’s degree from NPS in 2001. He works as a Government Support Contractor in KBRWyle and PEO Missiles and Space in program management for Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortars.

A Hinesville, Ga. native, Linda Hannah is an adjunct professor in psychology at Calhoun Community College and University of Alabama in Huntsville. Both attending Bob Jones High School, their daughters are Laurel, a junior, and Grace, a freshman.

The family owns “Alabama cats” — Princess, Romeo, Sophie and Colby — and about 48 fish in their pond.