| Robert
Donald Craft
 |
CRAFT, CAPT. ROBERT DONALD of Longboat Key, FL passed
away on April 10, 2013, at the age of 70. Bob was born in Louisville,
KY on January 21, 1943. He was the son of Robert & Elma Craft of
KY. He is survived by his devoted wife of 35 years, Alycia Araneo Craft
formerly of Charleston, S.C. His sister, Barbara Jarvis & husband,
Dennis Jarvis; brother, John Craft & his wife, Linda Craft; nieces,
Angela Bowman & Vallerie Becker; nephews, Matthew & Michael
Craft. Bob attended Winter Park High School in Winter Park Florida,
& after moving to Okinawa he graduated from Kubasaki High School
in Okinawa, Japan in 1961. He graduated from the University of Florida
in 1965. He was active in the ROTC program and created The Capt. Bob
Craft Scholarship Fund. Bob was a member of the (Pike) Pi kappa Alpha
Fraternity. Among his many achievements, Bob entered the USAF and served
two tours as a C-130 Pilot in Vietnam, from 1967 -1969, where he received
the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry and airmanship. He returned
to Langley AFB and served as an Instructor Pilot until 1973, when he
began his career with Delta Air Lines. Throughout his life he stayed
very active in many patriotic veteran associations. This news has been
received with the passing of Delta Airlines Pilot, Captain Robert Donald
Craft. Captain Craft had a 30 year career with Delta Air Lines, hired
February 26, 1973 and retired at mandatory age of 60 in 2003. Captain
Craft was based in Miami. Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, and Portland, Oregon.
Captain Craft flew International the majority of his 30 year career
crossing the Atlantic to Europe, the Pacific to Asia and many Delta
routes to South America. One of his most memorable days in Commercial
Flying was on September 11, 2001. He was the Captain of Delta Flight
109, originating in Madrid, Spain bound for Atlanta, Georgia. He &
his fellow pilots together made the decision to make the difficult landing
of their B-767ER in the Azores at Santa Maria Island on a WWII Runway
to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. He met Alycia, the
love of his life, and married in August 1977 at the Ernest Hemingway
Home in Key West Florida. Alycia flew with Pan American World Airways
as a Flight Attendant& Purser from 1965 until 1991. After Pan American
went into bankruptcy, Alycia was hired by Delta Air Lines & together
Alycia & Bob flew many overseas trips together until 2002 when Alycia
retired. Bob's Retirement trip was Delta Flight from Milan, Italy to
Atlanta in Jan. 2003. In 1979 Bob & Alycia purchased 150 Acres,
with creeks and a 14 acres lake, in Fayetteville, Georgia. During the
34 years they built a large barn, fenced  all
the land, then purchased beef cattle. They built 4 more Ponds, stocked
them & one pond was with a variety of Koi. In 1987, the Craft's
built their Dream Home, never to leave. Approaching Retirement age,
The Craft's purchased a 2nd home on Longboat Key, FL, on the Sarasota
Bay & the Inter Coastal Waterway. After retirement, their decision
was to move full time to Florida and have the best of both worlds, The
Gulf of Mexico and the serenity of their beautiful farm environment.
Memorial Service will be at a later date. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes
& Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge. In lieu of flowers Please
send donations to The Wounded Warrior Project in Jacksonville, Florida,
website: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Condolences may be sent to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
~ IN MEMORY ~
Vietnam war veteran, DL Capt. Robert ‘Bob’ D. Craft
January 21, 1943 ~ April 10, 2013
Word has been received with the passing
of decorated USAF Vietnam war veteran, retired DL pilot and Delta Golden
Wings member Captain Robert Donald Craft, age 70. Captain Craft hired
on with Delta 02-26-1973 and retired at the mandatory age 60 in 2003.
He was based MIA/ATL/PDX and flew international routes for much of his
commercial airline career.
To view/sign the online guestbook and to read the complete obituary,
please visit the funeral home website at http://www.brownandsonsfuneral.com/
Survived by his wife, PAA/DL retired F/A Alycia Araneo Craft, personal
condolences may be sent to the Craft’s residence at 701 Binnacle
Point Drive , Longboat Key FL 34228-1603 .... (941) 387-7017 Captain
Craft’s complete obituary is also available on our blogspot at
http://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/ A memorial service will be held at
a later date. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory of Bradenton,
FL have been entrusted with arrangements.
Thank you,
Carol Faulkner, PCN death notice communicator
death@pilotcommunication.net
http://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
HONORED BOB CRAFT IN A BEDSIDE SERVICE
Bob Craft recognized for service during
final battle!
Date: April 10, 2013
by Robin Hartill | City Editor
Bob Craft logged 1,172 combat hours with
the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He did two tours in Vietnam
during his seven-and-a-half years of service that earned him numerous
medals.
Craft, 70, says he’s still fighting — now, inside a Tidewell
Hospice room in Bradenton, against the cancer associated with Agent
Orange that’s spread throughout his body.
On Saturday, April 6, approximately 35 people — including fellow
Air Force veterans and Emerald Harbor residents — gathered in
Craft’s room to pay tribute to his service. Three veterans from
Veterans of Foreign Wars presented Craft with a medal in recognition
of his service. They brought an angel pin for his wife, Alycia, that
she’s been wearing ever since.
The staff of Tidewell presented him with a framed certificate that reads:
“On behalf of a grateful nation, the staff and volunteers of Tidewell
Hospice pay special tribute to you for your military service to America
and for advancing the hope of freedom and liberty for all.”
Alycia Craft says her husband doesn’t like to tell war stories.
But, at the short ceremony, his breathing labored, he told the story
of how he knew he wanted to serve his country.
He grew up surrounded by heroes, his father having served 32.5 years
in the Air Force as a master sergeant. His father wanted his son to
become an officer. Craft did become an officer, eventually earning the
rank of captain.
Growing up, Craft lived throughout the United States on Air Force bases.
When he was in elementary school, he rode his bicycle almost five miles
to the former Pinecastle Air Force Base in Winter Park to watch his
father.
He told the three-dozen people Saturday about watching
the thick runway being put in place and wondering why it required so
much concrete. Soon, he realized it was for a B-52.
“He was so excited to find out that secret,” Alycia Craft
said. “He knew he wanted to fight wars.”
Many of the medals he earned sit across from his bed at Tidewell.
 They
include a Distinguished Flying Cross, six Air Medals (one of which he
earned the same day as the Distinguished Flying Cross), the Air Force
Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Outstanding Air Award
and National Defense Ribbon.
He went on to become a Delta Airlines pilot. Since retirement, he has
volunteered one day a week at the VA Hospital, helping other veterans,
many of whom struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Inside the Tidewell Hospice room where the U.S. flag hangs over the
entrance, he still hasn’t given up the fight.
“Bob Craft,” he said, “is fighting his final battle.”
~ IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME ~
From: Victor Vermillion
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 11:14 AM
To: Anne Laing
Subject: Bob Craft Memorial Service
 Hello
Anne,
On Monday October 7th, I attended the "Service of Remembrance and
Celebration" for Bob Craft which was held at Long Boat Key, FL.
A "Presentation of the Colors" by a local VFW post in tribute
to Bob's military service was appreciated by several hundred people
who were in attendance. The folded flag was given to Bob's wife, Alycia,
by the Color Guard commander. A reception at a restaurant overlooking
the bay was held later in which fond and humorous anecdotes about Bob
were related by many of his close friends and family. He will be missed
by all.
Best Regards,
Vic
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