More detail on this person: Robert Payne (Bob) passed away on December 9, 2022. He was born on October 26, 1945, in Detroit MI. He was one of the first members of the VHPA and was at the first gathering in Arizona. He found his passion for flying through the United States Army when he enlisted in 1967 and attended flight school. He con- tinued to fly throughout his career, was an instructor at Fort Rucker when he returned from Vietnam and instructed at Los Alami- tos CA and was part of the 336th AVC and the 1st of the 214th Aviation Battalion. Bob retired from the Army after 32 years and then went on to fly with the FAA flight check and retired from that job in 2017. He was awarded the Wright Brothers "master pilot" award in 2016. Bob's heart never left the love he had for his country, flying, and his friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathy.
This information was last updated 07/10/2023
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association