The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) mourns the loss of life of LTC Bob Aylward, a revered and revered colleague, on 14 September 2025 on the age of 74. I first met Bob within the late Sixties when he was a highschool rifle group member in San Francisco. Bob went on to turn into one of many giants of American marksmanship. I’ve had the privilege of being a pal and colleague of Bob Aylward via his exceptional profession and I’m honored to inform the CMP household about this really extraordinary individual.
Robert W. Aylward was born in San Francisco in 1951. He accomplished grade and highschool there. Bob recalled becoming a member of a BB gun taking pictures program at a YMCA throughout that point. Within the Sixties, his Abraham Lincoln Excessive College had a rifle group, as did different excessive faculties within the metropolis. Bob distinguished himself even then by looking for to excel as a group member. He competed in each the San Francisco Gallery League and the East Bay Gallery League. That’s the place I got here to know him and encourage him to attempt to advance in our sport. I bear in mind writing a letter of advice that contributed to his being awarded a rifle scholarship at Tennessee Tech College. He excelled there too. He turned a four-time All-American who contributed to Tennessee Tech’s NCAA Rifle Crew Championship in 1971.
That was concerning the time when Bob gave our household a present that turned an Anderson household heirloom. After our daughter was born in 1970, Bob Aylward despatched a teddy bear for her. That teddy bear turned her favourite stuffed animal. The teddy bear went in all places she went till it was so worn and ragged it may now not be carried. It will definitely needed to be recovered to maintain it from falling aside. This may occasionally have been a small gesture on his half, nevertheless it says loads concerning the sort of individual Bob was and the way he associated to those that knew him. The teddy bear nonetheless holds a cherished place in our household treasures.
Bob was a Distinguished Army Graduate at TTU and destined to spend vital elements of his army profession on the Military Marksmanship Unit (USAMU). He was assigned to USAMU as an Worldwide Rifle Shooter, however new Worldwide Rifle shooters at USAMU can anticipate to shoot Service Rifle on the Nationwide Matches a time or two. Bob took his activate the Military Service Rifle Crew when he shot on the Military’s Nationwide Trophy Crew in 1975. The Military received the Nationwide Trophy Crew Match that yr with Bob taking pictures as their “new shooter.” Bob’s 490-18X rating received the Pershing Trophy in 1975 as the very best particular person rating of any competitor within the Crew Match. The irony of this story is that despite the fact that Bob outshot everybody within the 1975 Nationwide Trophy Crew Match, he didn’t proceed with Service Rifle and by no means turned a Distinguished Rifleman.
Throughout Bob’s 20-year profession within the Military, he served in obligation assignments at Fort Gordon (GA), Korea, Germany and as an Military ROTC Teacher at Lafayette Faculty. His awards for distinctive army service included the Legion of Advantage, Protection Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Military Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, and an Military Achievement Medal. He completed his profession by returning to USAMU to conclude his 20-year army profession in addition to his worldwide taking pictures competitors profession.
Bob Aylward’s competitors profession featured profitable participation within the 1983 Pan American Video games and 1985 Championship of the Americas the place he received 4 particular person gold medals. His crowning achievement got here within the 1986 World Championship (see photograph above) the place he joined Lones Wigger and Glenn Dubis on the USA 300m Rifle Crew that received three silver medals. He was awarded U. S. Worldwide Shooter Badge #285 in 1983. He was inducted into the USAMU Corridor of Fame in 2014.
LTC Aylward retired from the Military in 1993. He returned to the USAMU just a few months later to start 30-years of service as their Deputy Commander/Govt Officer. In that position, Bob Aylward clearly was a distinction maker who ensured that USAMU would proceed in its position as a pacesetter of American Marksmanship. Bob’s talent at working with the Military forms to acquire approvals for USAMU priorities was legendary. Memorialization proposals that named Fort Benning amenities and ranges after different USAMU heroes Jim McHugh, Tommy Pool, Invoice Krilling, Invoice Pullum and Lones Wigger most likely wouldn’t have occurred with out Bob’s persistent and expert administrative endeavors.
Throughout this time, Bob additionally served the Worldwide Capturing Sport Federation (ISSF) with distinction. In 2012, he was elected to be a member of the ISSF Technical Committee the place he turned a passionate and efficient advocate for shielding the Olympic Video games’ standing of the ISSF rifle self-discipline. He continued in that place via 2024.
The final years of Bob’s life had been a real profile-in-courage. A throat most cancers analysis 13 years in the past led to one of the vital brave battles in opposition to that dread illness any of us have ever recognized. Numerous chemotherapy and radiation classes challenged however didn’t defeat Bob’s indomitable will to dwell and proceed serving the causes he cared for.
So many people have been really blessed by Bob Aylward’s life work and we’re grateful for his items to us. All of us within the CMP household lengthen our honest condolences to Bob’s spouse Jennie, to his household and to all who had been blessed by this distinctive individual.
We’ve misplaced a terrific one, Gary Anderson, DCME.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit company that locations its highest precedence on firearms security and marksmanship actions, with a concentrate on youth. CMP’s applications encourage private progress and construct life abilities, with such initiatives as its junior coaching and competitors applications, Affiliated Membership program and scholarships offering help to residents of all backgrounds throughout the nation. Study extra concerning the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
