BOB KAY PASSES SUDDENLY
Words cannot describe the sense of loss we felt at the news of the sudden passing of RAF Washington State Liaison Bob Kay. Bob was known by many RAF supporters, and set a high bar for the position of Liaison. He regularly organized effective work parties, collaborated successfully with Washington State Dep’t of Transportation on airstrip projects, and shepherded legislation through the state capitol adding aviation to its Recreational Use Statute (RUS.) Bob’s career in aviation is full of remarkable military and civilian accomplishments, of which he spoke seldom. He preferred to focus on the RAF mission, usually with work gloves on, filling gopher holes at one of his favorite backcountry strips.
Rol Murrow, RAF Board member, reflects all our thoughts in this message, “Bob was a treasure and his contributions to all of us as friend, mentor, example, and major contributor to the future of recreational aviation will live on and forever enrich our lives and those to come.”
Bob’s wife and avid supporting partner Jo Schumacher stated Bob’s passion best with this message:
I want you all to know that Bob LOVED the RAF and every last one of you. Flying and the outdoors were his passions. I want all of you to know that I and the family appreciate what each of you have given Bob. I especially understand his depth of passion for flying and all it entails.
Bob leaves his beloved family – wife Jo, sister Maureen and brother-in-law Ray, son Kevin, daughter Tammy, and grandchildren Skyler, Lila, Kaitlyn and Megan and their families.
Jo concluded with this request, “I would love to hear your Bob stories,” and announced that a celebration of Bob’s life will be planned. Please send cards and notes to Jo Schumacher at 17427 SE 288th St, Kent, WA 98042-9469
Submitted on March 12, 2014.