Foil: 17 Panel: 3 Column: 2 Line: 36

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Catherine Aitken-Smith

Robert (Bob) was born February 20, 1925 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, he flew bombers in Korea, and ultimately served as a flight instructor for the Strategic Air Command in the early 1950s.
After leaving the Air Force, Bob and his father, Roy Lee Aitken, founded the first Cessna dealership at Tulakes Airport, renamed Wiley Post Airport, in Oklahoma City. Additionally, from this location, they operated a flight business called Sky Service.
Bob loved to fly and was an excellent pilot. He was a natural in the air and experienced his greatest happiness in flight. In mathematics and music, his love for the technical and creative was passed down to his five children. His passion and exuberance were expressed on a piano keyboard as well as on flight controls. He mastered both with joy.
Bob was a loving father and husband. He was an outstanding instructor. He is remembered with love and affection by his family, especially by his oldest daughter. Growing up in post-WWII hangers, mechanical shops and flying in all manner of aircraft passed a love of aviation down to the next generation.
Bob would have loved seeing the Udvar-Hazy Center. It is his cup of “scotch”. For this reason we share him with the Center. He flew away from us on September 15, 1975, but his legacy continues with friends and family.