Bob was born August 26, 1928, in Girard, Pennsylvania, to Lawrence and Genevieve Bax. He was the second of seven children. He is survived by two younger sisters and one brother.

  His passions for flying and "widdling" became known at a young age. Several chairs and table legs became Robert Bax "signature pieces" of "unparalleled design" and uneven leg length. Somehow his mother didn't mind his attempts to "fly" out the second story kitchen window; especially after discovering a new "designer piece."

  Wanderlust won out over flying and widdling at the ripe old age of 14 when "Robert" ran off; lied about his age, and joined the Merchant Marines. He spent a brief time as a professional roller skater in the New York Follies Review before WWII. Bob was in the U.S. Army Air Corps. While stationed at Westover Field, Mass., he "skated the skirt off" Catherine "Bunny" Engel of Holyoke, Mass. They were married October 11, 1948. Bob immediately left for Europe and was involved in the Germany Air Lift.

   After his discharge from the Army in mid-1949, Bob and Bunny settled in Chicago, Illinois. After taking a "job skills test", he was told he would make a "great piano tuner." This graveled his fanny enough that he took his GED, and was able to take most of his flight training with the GI Bill. He spent most nights shivering, shaking, and studying on the job in the Chicago Belt Railroad yard to acquire his pilot's license and flight instructor's rating. He worked three jobs, made three babies, took flying lessons and studied. Bob was a busy boy.

   Bob was hired by the Flying Tigers in April, 1955. He retired in August, 1988. He flew the DC-6, Connie, CL-44, Boeing 707, Super DC-8-63, and the Boeing 747. His wife recalls his first trip as a Captain. He was a new Captain with a new co-pilot. Said he felt like the "Lone Ranger." Bunny asked if he had packed his silver bullets. "You can't play the Lone Ranger if you don't have your silver bullets."