Bob Stone

Stone, Robert Richard “Bob”
Due to the escalating situation of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the family of Bob Stone is postponing his services to a later date which will be posted at www.marksfuneralservice.com.

Bob was born December 12, 1944 in Winona, MN to Rosemary and Robert Stone. Bob’s father was a pilot for Northwest Airlines and moved his family to Southern MN in 1945. In 1947, his father was transferred to Spokane, WA. From there the family moved to Richfield, MN. Bob was raised in Richfield. Bob started his formal flight training at the age 16, earned his private pilots license at 17 and graduated from Richfield High School in 1962. Bob went on to attend Winona State College and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During that time, he earned his commercial pilots license and continued formal flight training.

After college he enrolled in an instrument flight school. The day he received his instrument rating he was drafted by the U.S. Army. He reported to the draft office and was sent to basic training at Fort Campbell KY. He completed AIT, Advanced Individual Training in Fort Knox, KY. From there he was assigned Tank Training and then on to Helicopter Maintenance School for Huey helicopters. Upon completion, he was assigned as crew chief in the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company at Fort Carson, CO. His training was to take infantry to and from war zones. He was then deployed to South Vietnam where he spent one year and one month. In March 1968, he was awarded the Air Medal for combat aerial support of ground operations for Dong Ba Thin base camp, South Vietnam. In Bob’s own words “Training, commitment, luck and watchful eyes from above brought me home with a renewed love of freedom the protected will never know.” He was proud to have served his country. He was honorably discharged August 31, 1969.

After the service, Bob immediately found work as a pilot, his life long love. He flew for a Cessna dealership delivering airplanes for three months, was a flight instructor at Flying Cloud Airport for three years, and then a pilot for Mississippi Valley Airways for one year. From there he returned to school for his flight engineer license in Dallas, TX. From 1973 to 1977 he flew DC3’s Charter Company fishing trips to Canada. In 1977, he was called by the original Frontier Airlines to fly for them. He flew for Frontier Airlines until 1986 when Frontier was acquired by Continental Airlines. He then flew for Continental Airlines for 18 years and retired as Captain Stone in 2004.
In 1987, he met Arlene (Lee), a Continental Flight Attendant and they were married in 1994. They spent the next 25 years flying, traveling and then managing Arlene’s late Mother’s estate. After all of his overseas trips, Bob was always glad to get back on U.S. soil.

Bob’s loves were Lee, flying, cars and rural America working together and tending to Lee’s family. While his family and friends will miss Bob and his kindness, humor, smile, and sparkling eyes, they are comforted to know that Bob is now healed and whole with his Savior.

Preceded in death by his parents Robert O. Stone and Rosemary L. (Yackel) Stone, and step-father Roy W. White II.

Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife Arlene, brother Rick (Judi) Stone, sister Betty (Nik) Dupay, and brother Roy (Pam) White III, step- Mother Shirley Stone, aunt Shirley Yackel, four nephews, one niece, cousins and friends.

His family wishes to thank the kind and caring memory café and support group leaders, Cyndy and Andrea, his wonderful caregivers Sarah, Shelly, Dee, and the great staff at Accent Care: Gracie, Mandy, Jen, and Larry. They have all been caring, loving, and invaluable caregivers for Bob.

Please designate memorials in Bob’s honor to Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado. (dfcnoco.org)

Online condolences may be made at www.marksfuneralservice.com.