Bob Polhamus: Born April 24,1938, a retired Northwest Airline Captain of Boynton Beach Florida, "Flew West" on Jan. 17, 2014. Bob flew west after a brave and long battle with colon cancer.
Bob's father and mother were graduates at Stanford University and his dad joined Northwest Airlines in 1936. During WW2 he flew in Brazil, North Africa, Italy, England, Iraq, Iran, India and Russia. Bob, Dick and their mother made their home in Palo Alto with grandparents. Bob's grandfather was President of Southern Pacific from 1941 to 1951.
Bob attended St. Joseph's Military Academy, Bellarmine Prep school, Palo Alto High and Santa Clara where he played baseball. After graduation he joined the Marine Corps and earned his Naval Aviator wings of gold. He flew several aircraft including the F9F, F11F and A4E. He flew combat in Viet Nam with Marine Squadrons VMA311 and VMA211, flying a total of 174 missions over south Viet Nam, North Viet Nam and Laos. After returning from Viet Nam Bob joined Northwest Airlines in 1966 and had a distinguised career. He flew the Boeing 707, 727, 747 and Douglas DC-10, retiring in 1998 as a 747-400 Captain.
He was an active member in a number of organizations including Masons, Shriners and QB's Quiet Birdmen. He was a 32nd Degree/Master Mason and became President of the Boynton Beach Shrine Club.
He is survived by his wife Beysy; daughter Leigh of Delray Beach, Fl; twin brother Dick of Vero Beach; brother Mac of Houston; and sister Kathi of Bentonville, Arkansas.
Dick Polhamus
Bob Polhamus: Born April 24,1938, a retired Northwest Airline Captain of Boynton Beach Florida, "Flew West" on Jan. 17, 2014. Bob flew west after a brave and long battle with colon cancer.
Bob's father and mother were graduates at Stanford University and his dad joined Northwest Airlines in 1936. During WW2 he flew in Brazil, North Africa, Italy, England, Iraq, Iran, India and Russia. Bob, Dick and their mother made their home in Palo Alto with grandparents. Bob's grandfather was President of Southern Pacific from 1941 to 1951.
Bob attended St. Joseph's Military Academy, Bellarmine Prep school, Palo Alto High and Santa Clara where he played baseball. After graduation he joined the Marine Corps and earned his Naval Aviator wings of gold. He flew several aircraft including the F9F, F11F and A4E. He flew combat in Viet Nam with Marine Squadrons VMA311 and VMA211, flying a total of 174 missions over south Viet Nam, North Viet Nam and Laos. After returning from Viet Nam Bob joined Northwest Airlines in 1966 and had a distinguised career. He flew the Boeing 707, 727, 747 and Douglas DC-10, retiring in 1998 as a 747-400 Captain.
He was an active member in a number of organizations including Masons, Shriners and QB's Quiet Birdmen. He was a 32nd Degree/Master Mason and became President of the Boynton Beach Shrine Club.
He is survived by his wife Beysy; daughter Leigh of Delray Beach, Fl; twin brother Dick of Vero Beach; brother Mac of Houston; and sister Kathi of Bentonville, Arkansas.