Bob Mays

[donv]

I saw that Bob Mays passed earlier this week.

Bob sold me my 980 about 15 years ago, and during that process I had the opportunity to have dinner and do some flying with him, and it was a highlight of my aviation career. After he flew the F-86 in Korea (he described taxiing out on his first mission and being recalled before takeoff, because the armistice was signed), he went on to be a corporate pilot for Bill Lear, in a Beech 18 and a piston Commander. When Bill moved to Switzerland to work on the Learjet, Bob decided to find another job, and got his start selling airplanes-- Lear was a Commander customer, so Bob knew the Commander guys, and that was his path.

Before we had dinner, we went to the bar at the Airtel, and Clay Lacy was sitting there. It was fascinating to see the two of them interact, since Bob was already an established corporate pilot when Clay was just an airport kid at VNY.

RIP and Tailwinds, Bob!

[patrick lindsey]

Donv, Very sad news indeed.  Bob sold my family all five of our commanders (including 95023, your 980) with the last one being 96032, a 1000 we brought back from Venezuela.  Bob went with me to do a mx check flight after the props were overhauled and damn, he knew a thing or two about those planes.  Bob was from an era that produced great men and his body of work and network is a testament to that. 

There is a celebration of life planned for July 11, 17:00-20:00 at the condor squadron in VNY.  I'm looking forward to making it.  Hope to see a few folks from the commander community there.     

[Bruce Byerly]

I knew Bob from my earliest memories flying around the country as a kid with my father.  Western Commander days.   I feel lucky to have known him as he was always a gentleman and spoke the truth, had great stories, loved his wife and family.  He was a veteran and a hell of a pilot.  I agree, and Patrick said it well, seems like an era that’s missed and the good guys, Bob in particular, are missed.  I felt honored to sell his Shrike some years ago as he retired from flying.  I flew the plane from California, past the Hollywood sign, all the way to Ohio.  He gave me a big box of original Commander brochures at some point.  I have a couple stories I need to share here when I have some time.  He partnered in business at some point with Walter Murphy from OKC.  Unfortunately Walter passed before his time years ago. 

[donv]

Bruce, please do share!