Robert W. Pomeroy reached his “use by” date on January 25, 2025. He was 87 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Natalie, his wife of 33 years. Natalie designed the house and gardens that he loved so much and is a great grandmother to our grandchildren. Bob is also survived by sons Brett and Ryan (Tracey); stepson Charles Craig; grandchildren, Andrew (Patti), Grace, Addison, Sara, and Piker; four great-grandchildren; nephew Gregg (Annie) and their family; sister-in-law Mary Pomeroy; and his first wife Dorma, mother of Ryan and Brett.

Bob graduated from Cortland State in New York in 1959 and joined the Marine Corps. He entered flight training at Pensacola, FL and obtained his wings in 1961 and joined HMM 261 at New River, North Carolina. He spent four months at Guantanamo returning to his squadron during the Cuban Missile Crisis. HMM 261 was aboard the WWII jeep carrier, Thetis Bay, off Havana. The squadron was told that 70% of the first wave probably wouldn’t be returning to the ship. The naval blockade was a welcomed option taken by JFK. Bob would have voted for him in 1964 if he had the chance. In 1963 HMM deployed for a Far Eastern tour that included Vietnam, 4 months on LPH-2, Iwo Jima out of Subic Bay, Philippines and 4 months in Okinawa. On returning stateside Bob was assigned as a flight instructor at Pensacola. He instructed formation flying in T-28s and advanced helicopters later in his tour at Pensacola. Bob left the Marines in 1966 and joined Continental Airlines where he flew Boeing 707, 720, 727, DC-9, and DC-10’s. He left Continental in 1984 when they declared bankruptcy and tore up the labor contract. He did not wish to be a “scab” and cross ALPA’s picket lines. He then formed an auction company with a partner, Lannie Lillibridge. They had an auction house in Johnson, AR. In 1987 Bob was hired by a contract carrier for UPS called Ryan Air. He was later hired by UPS when they formed their own airline. At UPS he flew Boeing 727s, 757 and 767. Bob retired from UPS in 2004 and moved from Indiana to Fayetteville.

While with Continental and stationed at Dallas he formed an organization called CASE (Citizens Association for Sound Energy) in protest of a nuclear power plant called Comanche Peaks being constructed west of Fort Worth. He later found out that the intelligence section of the Texas State Troopers did a report on him that he was seen talking to a known socialist and spoke at a church known for radical views. The intent was to get me fired at Continental but that backfired and police ended up getting embarrassed. 60 Minutes and Morley Safer interviewed me and the segment called “The Pomeroy File” aired in February of 1974. Texas Power and Light said the plant would cost 779 million and take 5 years to build. CASE said it would be several billions. FYI, the plant took 15 years to build and cost 9.1 billion. We were both wrong.

In conclusion, mistakes were made, “do overs” would have been nice a few times, but all in all, challenges were met and overcome and good luck prevailed.

Bob thought it was a life well lived and had no regrets.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 2:30 PM Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the funeral home on Wednesday. There will be a procession from the funeral home to the cemetery.

Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.