Author Topic: Everyone please pray and keep Bob Whiteley in your thoughts. (Read 4040 times)

Warren Walker · « **on:** December 28, 2020, 10:25:32 AM »

R.J. is in the hospital with congestive heart failure.
Jan has asked to please not call her at this time.

proparc · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2020, 11:28:24 AM »

Oh no!!!

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2020, 11:35:27 AM »

Will do for sure, Warren. Thanks so much for posting.

Shareen and I were just reading Jan's posts on FB while dabbing at our eyes. We will be praying most fervently for Bob's well being and for strength and heavenly guidance for lovely Jan. Bob is one of my "adult life long" favorite competitors at the round and round events as well as one of my favorite ever stunt community friends although we've never lived closer together than SFO to LAX from one another. God bless and help them both.

Ted Fancher

Randy Powell · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2020, 12:15:50 PM »

Very sorry to hear this. He will be in my thoughts.

Shorts,David · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2020, 02:44:23 PM »

Bob is in my prayers.

Charles Carter · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2020, 07:14:03 PM »

I am praying for RJ and Jan. RJ is a tough and very resilient person. RJ has been helping me mostly on phone and whenever he gets a chance to see me fly.

Blessings,

Charles Carter

Will Hinton · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2020, 07:43:13 PM »

He is going on the FCM prayer chain now. Met him at the '90 nats, really enjoyed that experience with him.

Brett Buck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2020, 08:08:34 PM »

Quote from: Charles Carter on December 28, 2020, 07:14:03 PM

I am praying for RJ and Jan. RJ is a tough and very resilient person. RJ has been helping me mostly on phone and whenever he gets a chance to see me fly.

Now just keep this among us - but he's actually the nicest guy on the planet. Except, for those 8 minutes, when, and I quote, he "hates everyone".

Brett

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2020, 09:03:35 PM »

This comes as a terrible surprise to me.

Bob is one of my favorite people here in Tucson. I spoke with him on the telephone recently but have not been able to get to the flying field due to taking care of my wife.

Bob Whitely is one tough Cookie! I feel certain he will not give up this easily.

Call me please...

Randy Cuberly

bob whitney · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2020, 09:42:27 PM »

it was always a hoot messing with people at VSC as they read our name tags .lets keep it up ,God Speed Bob Whiteley

your Brother Bob Whitney

Robert Whitley · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2020, 10:32:00 PM »

I have never had the pleasure of meeting Bob but have admired his designs and achievements from afar.
As Bob Whitney said our names are similar and people have sometimes confused my name with his but the commonality is our love of the hobby.

Our best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

Bob and Kim Whitley

Larry Renger · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2020, 08:15:54 AM »

In competition, Bob always made a comeback on the last flight. Bet he does it again! Best wishes that he does! I have always valued time spent with him and look forward to more.

Tim Just · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2020, 11:02:00 AM »

In the late 70’s Bob and I lived in the same neighborhood in Fountain Valley Ca. Often as I passed his house on my Schwinn, I was in high school at the time, Bob’s garage would be open. I stopped and visited many times and marveled at his beautiful models. He never seemed bothered as he described whatever detail he was working on. It was around this time that I saw him spray trim through lace. His models were so perfect and light compared to the 8 pound plus fiberglass and foam pattern ships I was flying at the time.

I remember a conversation we had at the 81 NATS that kind of sums up his personality to me. He was heading home early as then President Regan told all the air traffic controls to return to work or be fired. I’m paraphrasing as it was a while ago. The essence of the conversation was the he liked his job, he liked his pay, and he liked his hours. Later he relatated to me that crossing the picket line on his motorcycle was never uneventful. Likely the same intensity that Brett described came through here too!

Bob, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2020, 12:33:24 PM »

The old DOC will start praying for Bob. He has always been a gentleman to me. I still think of the time when we went back to Tuscon for the wife's aunt Betty's birthday. One morning my brother-in-law and I drove to the park to see if any body was flying. There sat Bob reading in his red truck. After about an hour or so we finally decided no one else was coming out to fly and he didn't have a plane and neither did I. Get well Bob as the old DOC wants to see you again.

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2020, 01:09:26 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on December 29, 2020, 08:15:54 AM

In competition, Bob always made a comeback on the last flight. Bet he does it again! Best wishes that he does! I have always valued time spent with him and look forward to more.

Well said, Larry. thanks for doing so.

Ted

ericrule · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2020, 01:27:05 PM »

Brett and Larry are absolutely correct. RJ is one of the toughest competitors ever! He is also one of the nicest, kindhearted person on this planet. If anyone can overcome this RJ will do so.

John Miller · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2020, 04:47:52 PM »

Bob is one of my "CL Idols". He is, and always has been, a tough competitor. I've been told, and seen for myself, that the last place you want to be is a couple of points ahead of RJ in the last round, and him flying after you. He can "Buckle" down with savage determination and will beat you, he's that good.

As it has been noted here on the forum, he is also one of the nicest guys you'll meet in the hobby. I've been the beneficiary of his patient help as I've tried to improve myself in the sport.

He can watch your flight and based on what he sees, he can offer very cogent trimming suggestions. Most times these suggestions are right on. In my opinion, he is a rare gift to the hobby, sport, and a friend.

My prayers go out for him, for a rapid and complete recovery.

John Miller

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2020, 06:39:00 PM »

Bob will be our prayers every night until he comes home.Bob and I first met in 1968 or 69 in Buckeye. Been friends ever since. Praying for speedy recovery Bob.

Chris Cox · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2020, 08:16:39 PM »

Bob is in Joan’s and my prayers.

Gordon Van Tighem · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2020, 02:59:54 AM »

First met at 77 Nats and then at VSC. A great guy for a chat and the odd piece of advice.....in my prayers!
G

Larry Renger · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2020, 06:35:48 PM »

I don’t think anyone he ever beat could have a bad thought about him. His victories were always clear cut to my knowledge. 😇

And, he was one of the judges for my one and only ever 500 plus flight! I love the guy as you might imagine. Some guy named Fitzgerald was the other judge, so the score may have been bogus, but I have the sheets framed. 👍

Since I can no longer fly CL that has got to be the tops, and it is something to treasure. Thanks Bob 👨🏼‍🦳

Dane Martin · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2020, 06:51:18 PM »

RJ has been an enormous help in my ability to fly. He's let me borrow aircraft in contests, just so I can fly in more classes. He and Chris McMillin always go out of their way to help. RJ made it a point to watch all of my flights and coach me. I've been threatening to beat him, but haven't delivered on that. Yet. I'm looking forward to seeing him again. Praying for you bro.

Paul Walker · « **Reply #22 on:** December 30, 2020, 08:18:28 PM »

RJ was ever the competitor..at the first VSC held at Whittier Narrows, he competed in OTS. It was obvious that he SO wanted to win. After the first round, Tom Warden and I made up some bogus score sheets. Tom and I were the OTS judges. On his second flight we scored him for what he flew, but turned in the fake sheets. We watched him go to the scoreboard and see his score. He was beside himself. We could hear him explaining that he flew well, but JUST wasn't scored. After another flight or two, we sent in the real sheets, and the tabulator (who was in on this) put up the real score. All the way across the field we could hear him scream our names. He vowed to "get me back", but never managed.

Bob was one of my original heroes. Saw him fly many nice patterns. I only imagined that some day I could beat him.

Yes, he is a tad rough around the edges, but is a great guy. Prayers for you Bob.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2020, 09:15:18 PM »

I just hope Bob is following this thread and sees what love we have for him! I understand he isn’t much of s computer guy, but perhaps someone will take a laptop and show him.

Trostle · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2020, 10:34:40 PM »

I have not written earlier because I am having a hard time writing down what I feel and how to say it. Some of the things I want to talk about have already been said so bear with me.

Bob and I have had a great relationship for the past 40 plus years. When I moved to Southern California, we were neighbors in the same town near Mile Square Park. Shared many flying sessions there for the next 20 plus years, traveling to contests on the West Coast and the Nats. Then, we both moved to Tuscon around 2003. Continued the many flying sessions, several times a week, year around and traveling to contests in the Southwest. Celebrated holidays. We have recently shared thoughts on one of his next projects - a semi-scale twin. (He is no stranger to twins.) This one will be remarkable.

I am going to repeat what others have already said.

Bob is a great competitor. He is a great designer. He is a great builder. He is a great flier. He is a great judge. He is a great coach. He will help anybody from building, to flying, and to improve the pattern. He can fly any plane better than its builder and then have the uncanny ability to explain the three or four adjustments it needed to make it better after that one flight. Most people would suggest making only one change at a time. Not Bob, make those changes - those changes will do nothing but improve how the airplane flies. I was many times the victim at a contest with a higher score after the first round of flights only to have Bob fly after me in the second round. The results were inevitable as explained in earlier posts here. He does not give up and if he has his way, he will win this thing.

I firmly believe that prayers work. My prayers are with Bob and Jan.

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #25 on:** December 31, 2020, 12:24:42 PM »

Just wanted all to know that Jan Whitely has posted an update on her FB page which I'll attach below. It's Good News.

Ted

UPDATE for Bob Whitely!!

Good news! Bob was able swallow applesauce and a pureed dinner and some liquids yesterday while I was there. We are beyond thrilled because now he can swallow the pills he needs that can't be given through the IV.
His heart doctor has signed off. Now they will start Occupational therapy and Physical therapy. Please keep him in your prayers, as his heart is still in critical shape. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers 🙏

john e. holliday · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2021, 11:52:14 AM »

Thanks for the update.