Robert (Bob) Edward Soladay

SOLADAY - Robert (Bob) Edward Soladay was born February 10, 1921, to Earl and Minnie Soladay, in Fulton, SD. Robert lived in Fulton during his youth and served in the United States Army during WWII. Robert was married to Mildred Bowman and had three children from the marriage, Patricia, Bob and Carol. Bob married Beverley Boelman on June 6, 1953. They enjoyed almost fifty-eight years of marriage and have four children, Earl, John, Roberta and Charles. Bob and the family resided in Redondo Beach, California until 1982 when they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico after Bob's retirement and during which time Bob successfully beat cancer in the early 1980s. Bob was actively involved all aspects of air flight and the developing industry. He flew planes from an early age and had his own small airport in Luverne, MN. Bob spent his career years with McDonnell Douglas, integrally involved in the evolution of air flight occurring in those days -- flight-testing airplanes and managing the jet engine quality control division of McDonnell Douglas at the El Segundo, CA plant. He culminated his career as the Personnel Representative of McDonnell Douglas overseeing the Torrance and Long Beach, California plants. Bob enjoyed fishing, summers on houseboats at Lake Powell with his family, reading, sports, and always tinkering mechanically in his garage. In his retirement years in New Mexico Bob enjoyed road trips throughout the state, always taken in by its scenery and sights. Bob celebrated his 90th birthday on February 12, 2011, surrounded by many family and friends who attended his birthday bash, where a good time was had by all. Bob passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 8th, 2011 at the age of 90 years. Bob is survived by his wife Beverley and six of the children, Bob Jopp, Patricia Lonhart, Earl Soladay, John Soladay, Roberta Golish and Charles Soladay. He is also survived by his brother Glen (Doc) Soladay, 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Minnie Soladay, his brother Harold Soladay and his daughter Carol Burt. Services will be held Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the French - Wyoming Chapel. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. 912 Menaul Blvd. NE. Memorial contributions may be made to the UNM Cancer Center Development Office, MSC07 4025, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131.