Bob Andrews died March 30 at age 88. He was my Dad’s only brother (younger by 4 years).
I always felt a connection to “Uncle Bob”. He was fun loving, engaging and he had the “Andrews chuckle”. He reminded me of my Dad in many ways but he wasn’t quite as serious in disposition. Bob was part of the City Club culture and we shared many similar stories.
First the “breaking free” part. The City Club was rich in historical significance and Bob grew up around the business. The City Club was always busy with people. Food and beverage were plentiful. As Bob grew up, he began to see a profitable business evolve. It was easy to get comfortable around the “bar”. For both my Dad and Bob there was always the possibility of inheriting the business and making a life out of running the club. The truth was the business was getting old and provided limited opportunity. My Dad could never escape the clutches of the City Club but Bob was able to break free after World War II and pursue a flying career.
Now the “flying high” part. Bob got his pilot’s license in 1939 at age 15. Flying was definitely a passion. His service in World War II was flying troop carriers in the Pacific. The planes were essentially twin engine DC-3s with extended fuselages. I think DC-3s were the safest planes ever built and they zoomed along at the blurring speed of 120 miles per hour.
After the World War II, commercial aviation began to experience exponential growth and the demand for pilots was strong. Bob was hired by TWA (Trans World Airlines) and built a 32 year career around flying. Believe me, it paid better than profits from food and beverage at the City Club. By the time he was forced into retirement at age 60, he was flying five story high 747’s on trans-Atlantic flights from New York to Europe.
I always tried to get Bob to tell me more about his relationship with my Dad. I could never get enough. With Bob’s passing, my connection with the past disappears. I will miss that along with the familiar chuckle. There was always the hint of an impish little boy. Bob always had a way of making you feel relaxed in his company.
Bob lived the American dream. He got to develop skills as a pilot at a very early age and it evolved into a life long profession. Does it get any better? I know he is in a better place and I know he has his wings.
The melancholy feeling I have tells me Robert Jack will be dearly missed.
Love,
Dad