Robert “Bob” Henry Woolley :: Russell Haven of Rest

Robert “Bob” Henry Woolley, 74

Robert “Bob” Henry Woolley, 74, of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Born in Florence, South Carolina, he moved with his family to Green Cove Springs in 1990. Almost a Florida native, he graduated from Dunedin High School in 1963 where he was voted “Most Congenial”. This honor attained as a high school student was demonstrated throughout his life as he always had a kind word to share and smile on his face. He loved sports and earned a baseball scholarship to Florida State University, where he graduated in 1968.

Bob served his country in the United States Air Force as a pilot and air traffic controller, retiring after 23 years of service. His last duty station was in Kansas City, Kansas where he was the Air Force Liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration. Bob’s passion for aviation began at a young age while living near the Clearwater Airpark. He was a mentor for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter at Haller Airpark, as well as the liaison for their scholarship program for students ages 17-20 to receive their private pilot’s license. Bob participated in many flyovers as part of “The Dreamland Squadron” every year for different occasions, including the annual Memorial Day RiverFest held in Green Cove Springs. He was a participant every year in the Young Eagles fly-in held at Haller Airpark. He was always willing to share his knowledge in building planes, having built more than a dozen himself. Living at the Airpark and having his planes with him had always been his dream.

Mr. Woolley is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Sandy Woolley; two daughters, Theresa Lynn Turner and Buffy Kathleen Briggs (Jeff); three grandsons, Ryan Turner, Preston Turner, and Aaron Briggs; as well as many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Gendron and Margie Lee Cox.

Funeral services will be held at 9:00am Tuesday, June 11, 2019 in the chapel of Russell Haven of Rest with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and a flyover by friends of “The Dreamland Squadron”. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in Bob’s memory to the EAA “SUN ‘n FUN – Florida Takes Flight” scholarship fund. Checks can be sent to 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland, FL 33811 or designated as such on the EAA website https://www.eaa.org/eaa/apps/donations/donationform.

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720

Dave Harry

As a fellow aviator and “Falcon” from Dunedin High School Class of 1963, I will surely miss Bob. He was a Falcon in 1963 and remained a “Falcon” all his life. My thoughts and prayers are with Sandy but knowing Bob kept doing what he loved so much.
Theresa Lynn Turner

Dad, I am going to miss you so very much. My heart and soul is broken! You were the best and I don’t know how I will live without you in my life. All I can hope for is that I instill the wisdom and passion you had for life to my children. I love you so much Daddy!
Nikki Glanville

Thoughts and prayers to Sandy and the family.

Ed, Eric, and I were just saying how much we miss seeing Bob’s hanger open and seeing him wave to us as we drive home.
Pam Tierney

Bob’s passing has left a hole in my heart and everyone else’s here at Haller Airpark.
Bob was the guy that so many of us turned to when we needed help. Not long after Joe and I bought property at Haller I was cleaning and was stupid enough to stick my head in front of a fan. Who do I call? Bob, of course. He was over in a flash, checked me over and patched me up.
I especially miss talking to Bob. He always had a positive attitude, kept smiling and was kind to all. Bob had a great sense of humor too and a very quick wit. I had to stay sharp just to keep up with him! I miss you Bob.
Dean R Brock

The EAA chapter 1379, at Haller, has to be one of the most active and fully-functional chapters in the nation. Although I am fairly new to the chapter, I can tell you why. Bob Woolley has been one of the most active and fully-functional EAA members in the nation. He has had a great view of the big picture that IS Sport Aviation. He has fully understood his privileges and freedoms as a builder/Aviator/citizen in this great land of ours, and has enjoyed it all to the max! His sense of adventure and freedom has been envied by all, and shared by many of us. The respect that he has received…the way everyone would listen intently when Bob would stand and speak, has been impressive to watch. Just as inspiring, has been his spirit of leadership, cooperation, …and grace that he has shown as the ‘Air Boss’ at our Young Eagle Fly events. Bob’s talent and depth of wisdom in that position has provided superior safety and confidence in those air operations that are critical for mentoring young people into Aviation and other STEM careers. Words cannot express our appreciation of Bob’s contributions to Sport Aviation.
BA Foerster

A SUPER fellow aviator. Respected and loved. A friend and comrade, Always lots more to say but each of those who knew him have a bit of an empty spot in our hearts.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.