Robert J. Gilliland

An aviator, a gentleman totally non assuming.
I had the great honor to meet and talk with Robert at The Royal Aeronautical Society London July 3rd 2007
Robert told me his family name being so long, it was reduced to my christian name of Gil to fit his flying suit name patch.

After Roberts excellent lecture, he declined to return to his hotel room "one of the loneliest places on earth" as he called it. I would prefer to sit here and talk aviation.
And so another hour with the great man.

Thank you for your service Sir.

Robert J Gilliland R.I.P

A truly great man, I'll miss him like all his other friends will. Met & worked with him while a docent at Blackbird Airpark, Palmdale, Ca. Spent time talking SR info, that I used to inform guests about the SR.

He had a pilot's swagger and a warrior's courage. One of a kind. Fair winds.

I met Mr. Gilliland in the line for flight on Southwest Airlines in Baltimore in approximately 2000. He was wearing the best SR-71 ballcap I ever saw and I asked him where he got it. He told me that he was an SR-71 test pilot. I looked him in the eye and said questioningly, 'Lou Schalk?". He smiled and said his name and I said, "Oh, right. Lou Schalk was the test pilot for the A-12". Mr. Gilliland pretended he didn't know what I was talking about but was nice enough to sit down with me and let me play 20 questions with him. We were the last 2 people on the airplane and he ended up in a window seat on the last row. I remember thinking that here was a guy who flew Mach 3 in space suits sitting in the 'back of the bus' on an airliner. He was nice enough to give me his business card, which I think I still have. Thank you Mr. Gilliland.

I am so sorry for your loss may you find comfort and hope through this difficult time

My dad Woody Sims, Class of 42 at Webb School in Bell Buckle Tennessee and i (Webb School class of '72) send our sympathies to the Gilliland family. Mr. Gilliland, and his father who my dad says was chairman of the board at Webb, was a alum of highest distinction whose character and memory will continue. We send our deepest condolences for your loss.

What a remarkable life he had! I'm so sorry for the loss of your father, Dr. Hayes.

Mimi Richards

God bless. One of my life long hero's. I had the privilege to meet Mr Gilliland on a lecture tour at Duxford, England.

My deepest condolences to the family, may you find comfort and strength from the God of all comfort in this difficult time (Isiah 25:8)

While we never met, I feel a close association with Bob. I wish I had tracked him down after he was Grand Marshall of a parade in Palm Desert several years ago. I tried but the traffic blocked us.
My "association" with Bob was through my intimate involvement with the manufacture of the titanium from which the SR-71 was made. In the mid 1950's through the 1960's I was a young titanium metallurgist with TIMET and was heavily involved in alloy composition development and mill processing procedures in the manufacture of titanium sheet , plate and billet products. The secret project at the time was always intriguing. Visits from the "customer" were special. I have always felt a close association with the "Blackbird" and would loved to have had the opportunity to shake Bob's hand and talk a little. I will always regret not following up to meet him personally.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your great loss.
Jeremy Newman, Rancho Mirage, CA

Bob Gilliland was a Memphis treasure. He grew up here but was destined for greatness in the Aviation World. He was interesting, brilliant, and always generated a lot attention whenever he visited his home town. I shall miss his wonderful stories and his kind spirit.