Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 4 Line: 65

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Susan M. Tyree

Bob Tyree was born on Dec. 27, 1923, and passed away peacefully on March 28, 2002 after a valiant battle against cancer. He is survived by his lovely wife of 27 1/2 years, Susan, her two children, Lisa and Christopher, and his three daughters, Margo, Dana, and Annette.

Bob learned to fly before he drove and hung around the airport in his hometown of Muskogee at a very early age, and spent every dime on flight lessons. He attended the University of Oklahoma, but enlisted in the Army Air Corps in December of 1942. Before going overseas he was a flight instructor and Air Traffic Service Officer. He was a member of the 307th Squadron Air Base Group, and went overseas in June of 1944 as part of the bomber squadron. He served in the Borneo Offensive, New Guinea, West Pacific and the China Offensive, flying B-24s and P-38s.

After the end of the war he became the personal pilot to the Ambassador to the Philippines and flew with the Military Air Transport Service (MATS). He received the American Campaign Medal, APTO Campaign Medal, Presidential Citation, World War II Victory Medal, and Philippine Independence Ribbon among others. After the war he returned to the University of Oklahoma and earned his degree in architecture.

In 1952 he went with United Airlines and flew for 32 years, retiring as DC-10 Captain. He retired at 60 rather than fly as second officer. He was a long-time resident of Palos Verdes, California, and was a member of Air Line Pilots' Association (ALPA), Retired United Pilots Assoc, Elks, former member of PV Noon Rotary Club, and current member of the Red Barons, which was founded in the Sixties as a group dedicated to aviation education.

Services were held on Monday, April 8, 2002, at 1 p.m., St. John Fisher Catholic Church, corner of Crest Rd. and Crenshaw Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes.