Nellis honors fallen Airman Published June 25, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- A memorial service for a Nellis Airman who died unexpectedly was held June 23 at the base chapel. Lt. Col. (Dr.) Harry "Rob" Prager, 99th Aerospace Medical Squadron flight surgeon, died from unknown causes while at home June 16. Co-workers and friends highlighted some of the 43-year-old's many achievements and shared memories of him with the people in a chapel filled to capacity. "He was our brother in arms," said Lt. Col. (Dr.) David Cunningham, 99th Aerospace Medical Squadron commander. "The fact that so many people showed up to remember him is a testament to how great a man he was and how much he touched everyone's lives." "I instantly knew he was a great person," said Chaplain (Capt.) Craig Nakagawa. The bond we made and friendship we formed, I will always cherish." After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree at Cornell University and completing a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Colonel Prager went to Officer Training School and began his active-duty career in the Air Force. "Rob was well-schooled," Colonel Cunningham said. He graduated as a valedictorian or with honors in almost every level of schooling he had. He was also as good of a teacher as he was a student. He always took the extra step and made sure everyone was taken care of by connecting with each person individually." Dr. Prager went on to become the 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron medical director at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and the validating flight surgeon at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, before coming to Nellis. "All of his decorations and merits cannot sum up the character that he had as a man and as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, said Col. (Dr.) Markham J. Brown, 99th Medical Group chief of medical staff. He always put service before self whether it was his job or his family." "Rob was a loving friend, father and son," Chaplain Nakagawa said. "He constantly told me that the love for his family was the best thing that had ever happened to him." Dr Prager is survived by his wife, Lisa; children Joseph and Rebecca; mother, Joan; father, Leonard; and brother, Michael.
