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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Capt. Bob Rudd was born Aug.4th 1932 in Bellevue, Kentucky and christened John Robert Rudd. He was an only child. He dreamed of flying at an early age and joined the Air Force from 1949-1952 thereby becoming a Korean War veteran. He obtained a private and commercial license and was hired by Capital Airlines based in Washington, D.C. in April of 1955. Highlights from this time included flying charter for John F. Kennedy during his senate campaign. Capital Airlines merged with United Airlines in 1960 and Bob flew with United until his retirement date of Sept. 1st 1992. Bob was an ALPA member, UAL Council 27. He was an airline pilot for 37.1/2 years and he was #5 in seniority when he retired.
Capt. Bob Rudd was ATP rated on the following planes: Viscount-700, Viscount-800, DC-3, DC-6, DC-7, B-720, B-727, DC-10, B-747 and B-747-400. Bob had a distinguished flying career. Highlights included flying the first United plane into Singapore where he cut the ribbon for United. He also flew the DC-10-30 non-stop over extended distances to the Far East. He was a line check airman on the DC-10. He ended his career as Capt. on the B-747-400. During his career he was based in Washington National and Dulles, JFK, LAX, SFO, ORD and SEA.
Bob was married to Ulla, who was a Pan American stewardess, when they met. They had three sons. Their son, John, is a pilot with American Airlines and based in Miami. Flying was a family pastime. Over the years Bob owned the following planes: Cessna 195, Silvaire Luscombe, Smith Miniplane, Steen Skybolt and a Polish jet fighter Iskra. Bob bought the Iskra and it arrived in several boxes. He put it together himself and flew it. During his ownership it was the first Iskra in the US to be FAA certified.
Bob was accidently and tragically killed 60 days after his retirement. He spent his life pursuing his love of flying. - This is written by his widow with the help of Bob's records.