Bob, 84, died Dec. 6, 2012, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born July 22, 1928, in Oxford, Alabama. Bob served in the Marine Corps during World War II and received the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and National Defense Medal. Bob studied Forestry at the University of Montana, jumping from Missoula in 1951 and Grangeville in 1952.

He studied Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle University following the war and became a commissioned officer in the Air Force. Bob was recruited to fly with Air America in Laos and served as a captain for 10 years.