BOB ROSS, passed away January 13, 2008
There is a memorial service planned for 2 PM on February 23, 2008 at the chapter hangar.
See "The President's Corner" of the
February 2008 issue of The Taledragger
for more about Bob Ross.
Bob Ross was born August 19,1928, (the last year
Charlie Taylor worked for Orville Wright). In 1938,
he took his first airplane ride. The airplane was a 1928
Curtis Robin with an OX5 engine. It was one of the
highlights of his childhood and an initial step in his
future life, as an active aviator.
On May 15, 1945, the government reopened
civilian flying on the West Coast. Bob soloed 23 days
later on June 7,1945 at the age of 16. From February
to May 1946, he attended California Polytechnic
College at San Luis Obispo, California enrolled in an
Aeronautical Engineering and A & E course. June of
1946 he left school and went to work for Lompoc
Flying Service in Lompoc, California as an apprentice
A & E Mechanic. Bob received his Private Pilot
Certificate, in August of 1946, while still working for
Lompoc Flying Service. During 1948 he attended night
classes at Santa Maria Junior College in Santa Maria,
California and took Aircraft Welding. In June of 1949
Bob took his practical test for his Aircraft Mechanic
Rating at Hancock College of Aeronautics, located in
Santa Maria, California and received his Mechanics
Certificate with an Aircraft Rating.
Then in August of 1951, he left Lompoc Flying
Service and went to work for Larry Aircraft Company
in Fullerton, California as an Aircraft Mechanic. On
March 19, 1952 he received his Aircraft Engine
Mechanic Rating from the Long Beach, California FAA
Office. April 16, 1953 he received a commercial pilots ASEL Certificate. On May 11, 1953, he received his
California Agricultural Pilots Certificate.
May 1, 1953, he left Larry Aircraft Company and
started Ross Agricultural Service as both pilot and
mechanic. In 1960 the name was changed to R & S
Crop Dusters Inc., in Santa Maria, California. June of
1955, he received his CFI. May 14,1964 he received
his AMEL Commercial Rating. December 22, 1976 he
received his ASES Commercial Rating. February 6,
1977 he received his Rotor Craft Helicopter
Commercial Rating.
November 1985 he sold R & S Crop Dusters Inc. to
his son and moved to Hilo Hawaii. November 1, 1986
he started Orchid Isle Helicopters Inc. to fly tours as
both pilot and mechanic. After two years he stopped the
tours and then did maintenance, repairs, tail wheel
endorsements and flight reviews. September 19, 1995
he received his IA from the Honolulu FSDO Office.
November 1997 he received the Charles Taylor Master
Mechanics Award for 50 years of service in the aviation
maintenance industry.
Bob rebuilt a beautiful Taylorcraft, which he
subsequently sold to Jim Phillips and then rebuilt an
Interstate Cadet, which Phillips is also lobbying to
procure.
Bob and Kayla then moved to Independence Oregon. He was in the process of building a Catalina amphibian.
Words of Gratitude From EAA Chapter 1182
There is an EAA Chapter in Hilo today thanks to Bob Ross. Bob would always "suggest" that "someone" should start an EAA Chapter in Hilo and "Do whatever had to be done." Bob must have figured if he didn't do the "whatever" part, an EAA Chapter in Hilo might just remain another good idea ... forever.
So in March of 1997 he sent invitations to as many
aviation enthusiasts and airport regulars as he could
come up with for an organizational meeting in his
hanger. He hoped for at least 10 members and got more
like 33 charter members. He had hoped to elect someone
else as President but, as far as everyone else was
concerned, "anyone else" was simply out of the
question. He set the necessary volume of paper work in
motion so that we could carry on. With his experience
and expertise, he established our organizational
procedures. Bob set the stage and gave EAAer's in
Hawaii a foundation (and Banner donated by Bob and
Kayla Ross) to rally around. We have had fun monthly
programs, have represented Hawaii at the annual
Oshkosh convention, have taken a positive aviation
message to the greater community, given hundreds of
Young Eagles their first aircraft ride and have made
many new found friends within the chapter. All of this
is the result of Bob Ross envisioning a Hilo EAA
Chapter and seeing his idea through.
Bob was active in EAA Chapter 292 since moving to Independence. He was one of the founding members of the morning “Coffee Klatch”, and regularly attending meetings and contributing to our chapter. We will miss you very much.
See "The President's Corner" of the
February 2008 issue of The Taledragger for more about Bob Ross.
There is a memorial service planned for 2 PM on February 23, 2008 at the chapter hangar.
