We lost a good one....

On Tuesday, May 17 Robert Bosley was murdered by an intruder who broke
into his home. Bob was a good friend of mine. I was also his CFI. At
the exact time we were scheduled to fly together on Saturday, I will
instead be attending his funeral. He was a good man, a good father and
husband, a good friend, and a good pilot. I'm posting this on here
because, even though he had not earned his private pilot certificate
yet, he *was* a pilot - he loved flying as much as anyone I've known,
and he loved and contributed to aviation and his community. In the 8
months he'd been flying, he came to know many local pilots; they have
universally high praise for his dedication to general aviation. Bob was
one of the happiest guys I'd ever met, especially when flying; he
always had a smile on his face, and the time to help anyone he met. He
had many accomplishments, but one of which he was most proud, was
becoming a pilot. And he was a good one indeed...and was only going to
get better. Less than 3 months ago, I stood by runway 21 at Falmouth
(Kentucky) Airport, nervously watching his first solo. When he landed
(after several very nice landings, and one well-considered go-around)
he was beaming with pride; I cut his shirt in front of a half-dozen
local pilots and family members. It will hang on the hanger wall for as
long as I can make it to the airport to make certain it remains as a
testament to the achievements of a good man who loved flying with a
true passion. Pilots are a special breed; and Bob, while among us for a
short time, was one of those pilots who flys because there are few joys
greater than flitting through the sky.

His family will miss him deeply; his friends will miss him as well. And
I will miss him. Bob, someday we will fly together again. I can't
envision what heaven must really be like, but I can't imagine it
doesn't have airplanes. If there are crosswinds where you are, just
remember to keep the wing low, and the nose straight...we'll watch
out for your family down here, and someday I'll fly next to you
again. Godspeed and good flying, my dear friend.