Update/Obituary notice for Captain Fulkerson:
Retired Delta Pilot, Captain Robert (Bob) Fulkerson died August 15 in Calgary, Canada. Bob was a veteran Maui outrigger canoe paddler, and suffered an apparent massive heart attack during the International Vaa World Cup Sprint races. Bob collapsed near the finish line of the race.
Teams from around the world honored Bob with traditional protocols from their countries. There were honors from Hawaiian chants to a Scottish Bagpiper playing Amazing Grace. The competitors raised their paddles in honor of Bob and his passion for the sport as his body was transported from the race. While his family and friends were shocked and deeply saddened by the loss, they have taken comfort in the fact he died doing what he loved.
Bob was a Viet Nam Veteran and then served as a Delta Airlines pilot from 1972 to 2002. He was based in Los Angeles during his last three years with Delta and flew from LAX to Honolulu and LAX to Maui. Prior to this assignment, Bob flew internationally. He retired to the North Shore of Maui.
Bob is survived by his wife Kim Fulkerson of Maui; his sons, Robert (Bobby) Fulkerson and wife Sloan of Portland, OR, and Kurt Fulkerson of Austin, TX. He is also survived by his stepson Dana Heter and wife Amanda of Dallas, TX and stepdaughter Elizabeth Losito and husband Michael of Phoenix, AZ, his father Robert Fulkerson and wife Julia of Ajo, AZ, and his sisters Nancy Cranston and husband Steve of Honolulu, HI and Kathy McMahan of San Raphael, CA.
Services were held in Maui at the Kihei Canoe Club where Bob was a ten-year competitive paddler. His ashes were placed in the Pacific Ocean where he loved to paddle. Pastor Shaun Waite officiated.
The family suggests those wishing to make memorial donations in Bob’s honor send any gifts to Waipuna Chapel, 17 Omaopio Road, Kula, HI 96708. (See www.waipunachapel.com for more information on the chapel and its ministry.)
~ IN MEMORY ~
DL Capt. Robert W. ‘Bob’ Fulkerson
May 2, 1942 ~ August 15, 2012
Word has just reached us that retired Delta Captain Bob Fulkerson suffered a massive heart attack while competing in canoe paddling competitions in Canada. Bob hired on with Delta 11-27-1972. He was based DFW for most of his career, then JFK, and prior to retiring May of 2002 was based LAX. The Kihei Canoe Club held a Celebration of Life and Ashes to Sea ceremony for Bob on Sunday, August 26th. Bob had planned to be in Arizona August 24th for his dad’s 90th birthday celebration. Captain Robert Wilmarth ‘Bob’ ‘Bobby’ Fulkerson was 70 years of age at the time of his passing August 15, 2012.
For those wishing to send personal condolences, I believe Kimberly White Fulkerson can be reached at
1704 Treehouse Lane, Plano TX 75023-7432
and Captain Fulkerson’s father
Robert L. Fulkerson can be reached at 140 W. Morondo Ave., Ajo AZ 85321-2417
Thank you,
~ Carol
Hawaiian Canoe Club
Celebration of Life for "Haiku Bob" Fulkerson, 8/26.
Alberta - Bob Fulkerson, a veteran paddler from Haiku, died Wednesday while competing in the International Va'a Federation World Sprints. He was 70.
According to the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association's website, Fulkerson "suffered a massive heart attack" during a race.
Kihei Canoe Club will be having a Celebration of Life and Ashes to Sea ceremony at 10:00 AM Sunday, 8/26 at their club beach in north Kihei. All Maui Canoe Club members are invited to attend.
According to the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association's website, Bob Fulkerson "suffered a massive heart attack" during a race. Fulkerson, of Haiku, Maui, was 70 years old.
During the Kupuna masters race, Fulkerson from Maui suffered a massive heart attack. Volunteers and emergency response did all they could.
Racing commenced after a blessing by New Zealand in honor of Bob’s passion for the sport.
“Although I am deeply saddened that I was not with Bob in Calgary, I am comforted that my precious husband was surrounded by wonderful friends and the paddling community. Thank you for honoring my husband and paying tribute to him in such a special way. We love you Bob!”
~ Kim Fulkerson
Maui paddler dies during World Sprints
August 17, 2012
The Maui News
CALGARY, Alberta - Bob Fulkerson, a veteran paddler from Haiku, died Wednesday while competing in the International Vaa Federation World Sprints. He was 70.
According to the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association's website, Fulkerson "suffered a massive heart attack" during a race.
"Everyone who talked about him remembered how he loved life," said Sharon Balidoy, one of the head coaches at Lae'ula O Kai, Fulkerson's team during this year's Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association season. "He was really fun, happy - always had nice things to say."
Fulkerson collapsed near the finish line of Wednesday's race.
"It happened right before us," Balidoy said. "He kept paddling with his hands, even without his paddle."
Balidoy said participants and staff at the sprints paid respects in their own fashion when Fulkerson's body was taken away, with honors from Hawaiian chants to Maori haka to a Scottish bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace."
Paul Luuwai, who was in Calgary as the Hawaiian Canoe Club keiki coach, said the demonstration was moving.
"All the cultures there were trying to do their protocol when someone dies," he said. "It was kind of touching to see them honor one of our kupuna like that."
Fulkerson, a former Delta Airlines pilot, was in his first year with Lae'ula. He had known Balidoy from their participation in one-person events, especially races from Maliko Gulch.
"He used to say, 'I can fly all over the world, I should be able to navigate this course,' " Balidoy recalled.
Fulkerson had previously paddled for Kihei Canoe Club, and served on the club's board of directors.
"Bobby, he was an honest man with a lot of integrity," said Kihei head coach Kawika Williams.
"He was always happy to be racing and be around the gang."
