Bob, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather has passed away at 90. Bob was born in Fremont, Nebraska, and moved with his mother and stepfather to Glendale, California at the age of 11. He graduated from Herbert Hoover High School and Glendale College. 

In January 1952 he married Mary Schelling — they soon would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary — and had two children, Steven Dale and Kristy Lynn (McConnell). The family lived in Sylmar, California. In 1974 Bob and Mary moved to Westlake Village, and in 1994 to La Quinta. For many years they also had a house in Lake Arrowhead which was treasured by their grandchildren, who knew it as their home for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and many other family events.

Bob flew for non-scheduled airlines for a few years before signing on with Western Airlines in 1953. He became a Supervisory Captain, and in addition to regular airline routes, he delivered two Boeing 707s to Beruit, Lebanon. Mary stayed with him in Saudi Arabia for a month when he delivered the Sheik’s private (and ornately updated) 707; the Sheik insisted Bob supervise the pilots in the cockpit whenever he flew. Western merged with Delta Airlines in 1987; Bob was one of their most senior Captains until he flew the last of his 35,000 hours as a commercial pilot in 1991. He periodically flew small private airplanes throughout his 80s.

In retirement, he golfed and played tennis and bridge. He was a member of Soldiers Organized Services, which transports Marines between the Palm Springs airport and the Twentynine Palms Marine Base. Bob also volunteered as a docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum, where his station was primarily in the B-17 hangar.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Kristy; son-in-law, Scott; daughter-in-law, Linda; five grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. His son, posthumously promoted to Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserve and a Wing Commander in the California Air National Guard, predeceased him in 2008.

In remembrance of Bob’s life, a donation may be made to the Steven Friedricks College Scholarship at the 146th Wing Association. 

Perhaps most importantly, he would always insist with every goodbye: “remember to keep your nose up in the turn!”

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 2 at 3:00 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.