More detail on this person: It was with great courage that Robert James Roney passed from this life on January 6, 2022. Bob was born in Powell Wyoming on July 24, 1947, to Donald and Dolores (Garlick) Roney. He grew up in a military family and lived in Germany, Virginia and Colorado. He began his aviation career as an Army Lieutenant and Helicopter Pilot at Ft. Wolters, Texas in 1967. His military flying included a tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam in 1969 where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and 16 Air Medals. Bob married Pamela Barrick in 1971 in Oklahoma City, beginning a fantastic relationship that lasted until her passing in 2014. They relocated to Washington state where Bob completed a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Washington in Seattle before joining The Boeing Company in 1979. His engineering there included component design work before he returned to the cockpit as a Boeing Instructor for airline flight crews. Bob next continued his career as a pilot with Continental Airlines in 1983. He was based in Guam and flew the B727 throughout the Western Pacific, Asia and the Micronesian islands. While on Guam he served as a B727 Second Officer Supervisor, Line Pilot and Line Check Airman on several aircraft. He and Pam met several life-long friends during their years in the Pacific and had many travel adventures while there. They returned to the Seattle area in 2000 when Bob was selected for assignment to the Flight Standards and Training Department at Continental. He worked there until 2007 as a Simulator Instructor and Line Check Airman. His last assignment was as a Line Captain flying the B777 out of the Newark, NJ pilot base until his retirement in July 2012. Bob was accomplished at any challenge he took on. Besides being a pilot, he was a sailor, motorcyclist, skier and golfer. He was a member of the Pacific Northwest Region of the Porsche Club of America. He also belonged to the Washington State BMW Riders, national BMWMOA and BMWRA motorcycle clubs. Bob always had genuine, thoughtful concern for others and was a mentor and good role model for many. But especially for his brothers. Also, for his niece and nephew in their careers of engineering and aviation. Bob was fun and funny and advocated for full enjoyment of life. He was incredibly generous to his family and friends in that spirit. Many memorable vacations were shared by all in various parts of the world including sailboat charters in the Virgin Islands, Greece and Turkey. There were fantastic stays in Bali, Australia, Hong Kong, and various parts of Europe. Bob was dearly loved and will be missed by his family and friends. We are all adrift without him. Bob is preceded in death by his father, Donald and his beloved wife Pam. He is survived by his mother Dolores, brother Rick and sister-in-law Jana, sister Marie and brother-in-law Victor Carter, brother Pat and sister-in-law Linda, niece Kitt Roney, and nephew Nash Roney. He is also survived by his very good friends AJ and Terri King who he considered a part of his family. A celebration of Bob's excellent life will be held at a future date to be determined. Information about his celebration of life will be posted to Legacy.com. Please post your memories and photos of Bob there. Bob's obituary is also published in the Seattle Times. "May Captain Bob have smooth air, clear skies and favorable winds on his final flight" Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 17, 2022.
This information was last updated 12/29/2022
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