Bobby Gomez was a special friend to Jackie and me through high school.It was because of our respect and relationship with Bobby that we were honored when he agreed to be an Usher at our wedding.
Our memory of him was as a guy with a ready smile and a quick laugh.He was a steady friend, whom we could always rely on.I remember Bobby as a person who applied himself thoroughly to every relationship and to every endeavor he undertook.It doesn’t surprise me now, but little did I know then, the depth of Bobby’s commitment to the future of this country that gave us these 50 years of a blessed life.
We ’62 Graduates of TP knew of Bobby’s commitment to community as he donated his talents to the Key Club (including 1 year as President), Hi-Y, the Swim Team, Student Council, Inter-Club Council, and the Thespians.The wide variety of extra-curricular activities demonstrated Bob as a man with a wide range of accomplishments and intellectual interests.
Richard Gomez, Bob’s brother, shared with us Bob’s path after June 1962:Bob attended the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering.During that time he’d joined and completed Air Force ROTC courses. He always wanted to be a pilot.
Bob took flight training at the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas. He continued his training and became a pilot for the F-4 fighter jet. He would be assigned to a group called Wolf-FAC that was assigned to attacking enemy targets along the Mekong River in Laos. Apparently, that is where the Viet Cong would transport their supplies and ground weapons to arsenals at strategic locations.
Bob’s plane went down on 23 April 1970. The Air Force did not know if Bob, and the other pilot with him, were able to get out of the aircraft. There was no beeper signal, which normally goes off when pilots eject. Bob was flying low, marking the target for his fellow pilots.This low flight profile worked against the probability that Bob would be able to eject successfully.
Bob was listed as Missing in Action for 7 years. His status was changed to Killed in Action following this 7 year period.That was a difficult time for the Gomez family.That was hard to imagine for Bob’s family and friends.Bob was so full of life. A tribute to Bobby could not be better said, than these quotes from Richard Gomez, his brother: “He was a great guy, great brother that I have missed dearly through the years”, and “ I can still visualize his energy for life and his spirit that seemed to never fear the unknown”.
Jackie and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had Bobby Gomez in our lives. (Tim and Jackie Earle)
Tim Earle
Bobby Gomez was a special friend to Jackie and me through high school. It was because of our respect and relationship with Bobby that we were honored when he agreed to be an Usher at our wedding.
Our memory of him was as a guy with a ready smile and a quick laugh. He was a steady friend, whom we could always rely on. I remember Bobby as a person who applied himself thoroughly to every relationship and to every endeavor he undertook. It doesn’t surprise me now, but little did I know then, the depth of Bobby’s commitment to the future of this country that gave us these 50 years of a blessed life.
We ’62 Graduates of TP knew of Bobby’s commitment to community as he donated his talents to the Key Club (including 1 year as President), Hi-Y, the Swim Team, Student Council, Inter-Club Council, and the Thespians. The wide variety of extra-curricular activities demonstrated Bob as a man with a wide range of accomplishments and intellectual interests.
Richard Gomez, Bob’s brother, shared with us Bob’s path after June 1962: Bob attended the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During that time he’d joined and completed Air Force ROTC courses. He always wanted to be a pilot.
Bob took flight training at the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas. He continued his training and became a pilot for the F-4 fighter jet. He would be assigned to a group called Wolf-FAC that was assigned to attacking enemy targets along the Mekong River in Laos. Apparently, that is where the Viet Cong would transport their supplies and ground weapons to arsenals at strategic locations.
Bob’s plane went down on 23 April 1970. The Air Force did not know if Bob, and the other pilot with him, were able to get out of the aircraft. There was no beeper signal, which normally goes off when pilots eject. Bob was flying low, marking the target for his fellow pilots. This low flight profile worked against the probability that Bob would be able to eject successfully.
Bob was listed as Missing in Action for 7 years. His status was changed to Killed in Action following this 7 year period. That was a difficult time for the Gomez family. That was hard to imagine for Bob’s family and friends. Bob was so full of life. A tribute to Bobby could not be better said, than these quotes from Richard Gomez, his brother: “He was a great guy, great brother that I have missed dearly through the years”, and “ I can still visualize his energy for life and his spirit that seemed to never fear the unknown”.
Jackie and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had Bobby Gomez in our lives. (Tim and Jackie Earle)