Captain Bob Paty

Captain Charles Robert Paty, 89, known as Bob, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Haymarket, Virginia. Bob was born in Lebanon, TN to William Ralph Paty, Sr and Anne Louise (McKay) Paty on August 6, 1935. In his early years he was raised in Tennessee and then moved to Louisville, MS when he was 10. Starting in a new school, he quickly made friends, including a young lady, Janice Burt, who declared she would marry that boy someday. That “someday” was on November 29, 1957. Bob graduated from high school in Louisville in 1955 and then joined his brother at the University of Texas at Austin. While attending UT, he received a postcard depicting a Navy jet landing on an aircraft carrier, along with an invitation to take the Naval Cadet Aviation exam. He passed and began basic training in Pensacola, FL in 1956. Advancing quickly, he moved to training in Corpus Christi, where he received his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold in October 1957. Shortly after his marriage to Janice (Burt) Paty in November 1957, the couple moved to Japan in March 1958. Bob flew missions throughout the Far East, based out of Atsugi and Tachikawa Air Bases. His squadron was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1961. His first daughter, Sharon, was born while stationed in Japan. In 1961, they returned to Corpus Christi, and Bob continued his training at Stead AFB in Tennessee in the summer of 1963 on the C-130. His next assignment took them to NAS Quonset Point, RI. His second daughter, Caprice, was born while station in Rhode Island. Each year, he deployed to Antarctica from September to March—a tough duty that meant missing holidays with family. In 1964, he received the Navy Commendation Medal for piloting a daring midwinter medevac flight to Antarctica during 24-hour darkness, to rescue a sailor with a severe head injury. Later assignments brought him to NAS Patuxent River, MD, where he flew P-3s on submarine detection missions in Alaska. His final full-time Navy post was at NAS Bermuda in 1967. That same year, Bob transitioned to a new chapter with American Airlines. He was based out of Washington National for the majority of his career, but also spent time based out of Buffalo, Chicago and New York JFK. In addition to flying the Lockheed Electra, Boeing 727 and Boeing 767, he also instructed on Lockheed Electra and 727 and became a X-Type Check Airman at the American Airlines Flight Academy in Dallas. He ended this career flying internationally out of JFK, retiring as a Captain on the B-767-300 in August 1995. During Bob’s time with American Airlines he also spent 17 years with the Allied Pilots Association (APA), including roles as Chair of the Safety Committee and Secretary/Treasurer. He worked closely with the FAA and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and participated in several investigations, notably the Air Florida crash into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. in the early 1980s. He also returned to the Naval Reserves in 1970, serving another 13 years and retiring as a Navy Captain on the Chief of Naval Operations staff at the Pentagon. Following his aviation career, Bob became a highly regarded retirement advisor with Pritchard, Herr & Associates, later RAA Alworth, where he worked until his final retirement in 2020. His clients appreciated his warmth, attention to detail, and professionalism. Bob and Jan shared a love of travel and adventure, experiencing the wonders of the world—from African safaris and the pyramids of Egypt to river cruises in Europe and the U.S., the beauty of Alaska, time spent in Australia, and many fond memories of living in Japan. In his free time, Bob enjoyed golf, storytelling, sharing jokes, and spending time with his grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Anne Louise (McKay) Forester and her husband Ernest Forester, father William Ralph Paty, Sr., and brother William (Bill) Ralph Paty, Jr. and his daughter Catherine. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janice Burt Paty; his father’s wife Dorothy Paty and their daughter Jayne; his sister Janet Jackson and her children Mike, David, and Anne; Bill Paty’s daughter Marie; his daughter Sharon Monar (Curtis) and their children Kayci and Jake; his daughter Caprice Black (David) and their children Dawson and Campbell. Bob’s memory will live on in the hearts of his extended family and all who knew him. Visitation will be held on April 30, 2025 from 6pm – 8pm at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St., Manassas, VA. Funeral service will be held on May 1, 2025 from 1130am-1230pm at Pierce Funeral Home. Private Burial at Quantico on May 1, 2025 at 1:30pm. Bob will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. From a small town in Tennessee, to exploring the world, he lived a life filled with purpose, courage, laughter, and love. We should all be so lucky to live a life like Bob. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: Sudley United Methodist Church www.sudley-methodist.org RTAG (Rotary to Airline Group) www.rtag.org

Captain Bob Paty

August 6, 1935 - April 12, 2025