We met Bob and Ruth at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. I knew right off he was one of the good guys because here he was, a Captain, and he actually spoke to me, a Second Lieutenant. He was involved in almost all of my flying adventures back there. Together we tried to disprove several of the absolute rules of flying. I’m sure only divine intervention let us survive some of those experiments.
We flew again together in Korea and actually did some real photo work with the Banshees. Bob came home a few months ahead of me. We saw Bob and Ruth again in 1957 when they came out to Palm Springs. Almost 50 years would pass before the internet brought us together again.
The computers let us share our thoughts on a wide range of current topics as well as our memories of our times together so long ago.
I think we all aspire to be lifetime Marines and anyone that knew Bob knew he achieved that goal.
I’m so glad to have had him as a friend and I’ll always cherish that last phone call we had in the Hospital.
Dear Ruth and Family, I’m so sorry for your loss
Blair and Carol Belden
November 26, 2010
