Ronald Willard Noyes

Ronald W. Noyes, 79, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and 40 year resident of Bowie, MD died of leukemia in Annapolis, MD on November 9, 2013. He was born to Willard E. and Edna M. (Folck) Noyes in Medford, MA on November 19, 1933. Colonel Noyes graduated from Winthrop, MA High School in 1951. He received a BS degree from Boston University in 1955 where he was also a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program. He entered on active duty in October 1955 and completed training as a navigator in November1956. He received a Masters degree in Computer Science from Texas A&M University in January 1968. Colonel Noyes was rated as a Master Navigator. He logged over 5,000 flying hours, primarily in the EC-121 aircraft. During the Vietnam conflict he flew over 500 combat hours with the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing while stationed at Korat AB in Thailand. From August 1972 until his retirement from the Air Force in May 1979 Colonel Noyes served as the Assistant Director for Data Systems and Chief, Data Systems Division at the Defense Special Missile & Astronautics Center at Fort Meade Maryland. His military decorations include the Joint Service Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze campaign stars. From May 1979 through August 1983 he worked as a Supervisory Computer Analyst at the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington, DC. From September 1983 until his second retirement in May 1993 he was the chief of a computer programming division at the National Security Agency. Colonel Noyes then served for twenty years as a volunteer at the Retiree Activities Office at Andrews AFB. In 1996 he developed an internet webpage for use by military retirees from all of the service branches. He was awarded the USAF Volunteer Excellence Award. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Betty, of Bowie: four children; three daughters, Pamela (Terry) of Frederick, Diane (Bruce) of Laytonsville, Sandra (Matt) of Crofton and a son Jeffrey (Jeni) of Huntingtown. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Alicia, Becky, Brooke, Elizabeth, Brian, Rachel, Henry, Sam and Eric; and three great-grand children: Alivia, Dalen and Emily. Also a brother Arnold "Hack" Noyes of Cape Cod & Naples, FL and a sister, Nancy Parsons of Salem, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National MS Society or the Wounded Warrior Project.