Lt. Col. (Ret) Robert K. Early died Aug. 5, 2013. He was 90.
Born Feb. 17, 1923 in Portsmouth VA, Mr. Early graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in January 1940.
He began as a Navy Apprentice Mechanic in 1941 but always wanted to fly. Mr. Early started Aviation Cadets school in 1943. he Graduated in Class 44c in 1944. Mr. Early married Virginia Steel March 31, 1944. And so began a long flying carrier and life as a loving husband. He spent 24 years with the Air Force flying everything with wings.
He flew fighters, bombers, trainers, transports, and tankers. Everything from P51’s to B52’s. Mr. Early even flew a DC-3 on his 90th birthday. He served our country in WWII and the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force May of 1966 after 24 years of service. Mr. Early went to work for United Air Lines as a flight instructor. He transitioned to a line pilot for United in 1969. He retired June of 1983 totaling 42 years of flying experience.
His wife Virginia passed away in October of 2003 ending a 59 year marriage. They had one son, Robert S. Early who is married to wife Lauren and lives in Colorado. Robert also flies for United. Mr. Early is survived by two grandsons from his son, Robert junior, Nathan and John Early.
Mr. Early wed Iris Scheffel in March 2007. They had a wonderful life together traveling the world right up until his passing.
Mr. Early was a gentle, kind man who touched the lives of everyone to whom he came into contact. He loved golf, flying, traveling the world, and ice cream. He spent the first two thirds of his life flying all over the world. He spent the last third of his life cruising all of the world. He will be missed by all who were blessed to know him. Mr, Early is also survived by a sister, Mildred Hawks, a brother, Ira Early, a step-daughter, Angela Garvin and her husband, Greg, and their children Grayson, Austin, and Colton Garvin.
Services were held Aug. 11 in Atlanta. Inurnment with full military honors is scheduled for noon Aug. 19 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, at Staging Area A. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
So sorry to hear of this loss. It sounds like Mr. Early was truly a wonderful man. I am impressed at how long he maintained his marriage until the loss of his wife.The Bible teaches that there will be a resurrection of our dear loved ones back to the earth when it is a paradise and God originally purposed. At this time death will be no more. Rev 21:3, 4, John 5:28,29. May this thought be a comfort for you