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Brigadier General
Robert B. Giffen
Permanent Professor 1984–1995
B.S., United States Air Force Academy
Ph.D., University of Heidelberg
Bob Giffen, the Academy’s 46th Permanent Professor, was born in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1942. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965 as a Distinguished Graduate and the Outstanding Graduate in Astronautical Engineering. He completed pilot training at Randolph and Sheppard AFBs in Texas and received his pilot wings in 1966. He then went directly to Vietnam and flew over 200 combat missions in the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopter with the 20th Special Operations Squadron in South Vietnam, Laos, and North Vietnam. From there he was stationed at Sembach Air Base and Ramstein AB, Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), where he flew the H-19 and the T-33. In 1969 Bob was selected as an Olmsted Scholar. After a quick upgrade in the T-38 at Randolph AFB, TX, he completed German language training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. Bob then attended the University of Heidelberg in the FRG where he earned his PhD in Celestial Mechanics (magna cum laude) in 1972. From 1972–1974, after graduating from the US Navy Test Pilot School, Bob served as Engineering Test Pilot at the US Naval Test Center in Patuxent River, MD. Next, he flew as an Engineering Test Pilot for the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service at Hill AFB, UT. In 1975 he became Chief Engineering Test Pilot for the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service at Kirtland AFB, NM. In 1977 Bob returned to the AF Academy, where he served as Associate Professor of Astronautics. In 1980 he transferred to the North American Aerospace Defense Command as Chief of the Space Analysis and Data Division, Cheyenne Mountain Complex, CO. While there, he became Deputy Director of the Space Operations Directorate. From 1981 to 1982 he attended the National War College in Washington, DC. Returning to the Academy in 1982, he was appointed the Head of the Department of Astronautics. In 1984 Bob was selected as Permanent Professor. While on sabbatical from the Academy from 1986 to 1987, he served as the Air Attaché to the Federal Republic of Germany at the US embassy in Bonn. The President of Germany awarded Bob the Grand Service Cross, Germany’s highest award, for his service as Air Attaché. During his tenure as a Permanent Professor, Bob served the Academy by chairing a Faculty Steering Committee that resulted in the Academy’s athletic programs receiving national collegiate certification. He also served as the Chair of the First Class Committee and as the Academy’s NCAA Faculty Representative. Bob Giffen was promoted to brigadier general and retired from the Air Force in 1995.
After his retirement, Bob started a small company, Teaching Science and Technology, Inc., that has grown into a respected name in space systems engineering. TSTI offers both on-site and online courses in space and systems engineering as well as providing project coaching and systems engineering consulting services, all in the pursuit of space workforce development. In 2005 Bob sold his interest in TSTI, but he continues with them to teach and consult for Air Force Space Command.