Yesterday was the service for Bob Payne, retired W4 and retired FAA pilot. Bob was a gunship pilot with the 119th Assault Helicopter Company (call sign-Crocodiles) at Pleiku in 1967-1968. I first met Bob in 1992 when several of us were transferred to Dallas Naval Air Station to establish a new Operational Support Airlift fixed wing unit flying U-21As, King Air 90 and U-21C, King Air 100. When the Clinton base closures hit, Bob, Steve Sorich and I were sent to Dobbins ARB to set up another unit with C-12s (KA 200) and then the Army's new UC-35 (Cessna 560 Ultra). Bob and I both retired out of Dobbins.
Bob went on to fly for the FAA's Flight Check, flying instrument approaches for calibrating ground based nav aids. Probably the best and only real flying job in the FAA. I tried to talk Bob into working with me at Kuse Enterprises at PDK airport but he declined.
Bob was a great friend and mentor to me and many others along the way. He will be missed by so many, especially by Kathy, his wife of 42 years. One of the bright spots of the memorial yesterday was seeing so many old Army buddies that came from all over the country to attend.
This is Bob visiting at my hangar office at PDK in 2004. I'm going to miss that smile. Rest in peace brother.
Bob went on to fly for the FAA's Flight Check, flying instrument approaches for calibrating ground based nav aids. Probably the best and only real flying job in the FAA. I tried to talk Bob into working with me at Kuse Enterprises at PDK airport but he declined.
Bob was a great friend and mentor to me and many others along the way. He will be missed by so many, especially by Kathy, his wife of 42 years. One of the bright spots of the memorial yesterday was seeing so many old Army buddies that came from all over the country to attend.
This is Bob visiting at my hangar office at PDK in 2004. I'm going to miss that smile. Rest in peace brother.
