~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, RW/RC/NWA/DL Capt. Robert “Bob” Erwin
Colley
August 19,
1949 - May 13, 2026
Upon his exit from the Air Force, Bob became an
airline pilot, first working with Hughes Air West, followed by Republic
Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. He retired among the most
senior captains of the Delta fleet (assumed retired age 65 in 2014)……………………..
Bob began flying commercially 08-14-1978. He is survived by his wife Patricia, and by
his children and their families.
PCN memorial site
https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/fair-oaks-ca/robert-colley-12889710
also
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ca/fair-oaks/robert-colley-21555058
Robert Erwin Colley Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the
death of Robert Erwin Colley (Fair Oaks, California), who passed away on May
13, 2026, at the age of 76, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and
friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share
them with the family.
He was predeceased by: his parents, Erwin Rudolph
Colley and Sue Colley; and his brother Joe Colley. He is survived by: his wife
Patricia Jane; his children, Jeremy and Amanda; his grandsons, Jackson, Grayson
and Kellan; his children-in-law, Edmund and Elizabeth; and his nephew Reid
Colley.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to
First Tee.
https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/fair-oaks-ca/robert-colley-12889710
Robert Erwin Colley, son of Callie Sue and Erwin Rudolph Colley, passed
away on May 13, 2026, in the presence of his beloved wife, Patricia, and his
two children, Jeremy and Amanda. Bob, as he was known, was a force of nature.
In his best moments, he was always on the right side of compassion, and his
personality filled any space, no matter how large.
Bob began life in his hometown of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma—a small town big
of heart, where he learned the meaning of community and service. He graduated
from Pauls Valley High School in the spring of 1967, attended Westminster
University in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from East Central University.
Concurrently, he pursued his passion for aviation.
Following in the footsteps of his father Erwin—who had been a World War
II aviator commanding glider planes in Normandy and Berlin—Bob became a pilot
in the Air Force and served our country during the Vietnam War. Upon returning
to the States, he received national recognition for his "planned"
crash landing of a C-141 Starlifter at Christchurch, New Zealand. Bob’s quick
thinking, and that of his crew, set a new standard for what was possible in
aviation safety—a truly remarkable accomplishment.
Upon his exit from the Air Force, Bob became an airline pilot, first
working with Hughes Air West, followed by Republic Airlines, Northwest
Airlines, and Delta Airlines. He retired among the most senior captains of the
Delta fleet.
While his travels took him across the globe, he was best known for his
leadership in the cockpit and as a trusted colleague. One of Bob’s most beloved
treasures were his flight memories, which he honed, retelling them year after
year. He often recalled the fun times of the job—singing “Chain of Fools” by
Aretha Franklin and dancing for his flight attendants up and down the aisle
before takeoff, or handling belligerent customers with his signature blend of
accountability and humor.
His accomplishments as a veteran and pilot are innumerable, and the
source of his pride came from the family for whom he provided selflessly year
over year. He met his wife, Patricia Jane, in 1975. A stunning man with a sharp
wit and sense of humor, he boldly invited her to meet him in the bar of a hotel
inn in Fairfield, CA. She was reluctant to meet him without a chaperone, but
she took a risk, and the rest is history. They were married, quickly welcomed
their children, and started a family.
In 1983, Bob and Pat made a bold move, leaving the comfort and certainty
of Oklahoma, where they were both born and raised, and planted new roots in
Memphis, Tennessee. During this time, Bob cultivated one of his greatest loves,
golf. He formed a fast group of close friends at Windyke Country Club, and when
he wasn’t flying, he was on the links.
Once the kids were raised and off to college, Bob and Pat made another
move together. Drawn west to California, where they first met, they settled in
El Dorado Hills and became members of Serrano Country Club. Many rounds of golf
ensued, and another string of friends was made. Bob volunteered time with First
Tee, an organization committed to developing character for young people through
the game of golf. Bob was especially passionate about ensuring that young
people with disabilities were given access to the joy the game could bring.
Bob was remarkable because of the myriad kind things he did without
anyone noticing. If he was in a restaurant and saw a young couple fretting
about buying a steak, he would order it for them and pay the bill, without an
expectation of gratitude. When he saw a young athlete with potential, he would
provide tuition payments. Generosity was his currency, a habit inherited from
his parents and those who preceded them.
His signature was his love for his family. His greatest source of pride
was the education of his children. His son, Jeremy, graduated from Princeton
University with a degree in Chemistry and later received his medical degree
from Columbia University. His daughter, Amanda, graduated from Tulane
University and later earned her master’s degree in School Leadership from
Harvard University.
In the wake of his passing, Bob’s legacy lives. It’s one of grace, humor,
and care. He was a mentor to many and had a way of teaching life lessons in 10
words or less. During his speech at his daughter’s wedding, he issued the most
important lesson: the only thing you can’t buy more of is time.
Truer words were never spoken.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, Sue and Erwin Colley, as well as his
brother, Joe Colley.
Bob is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Jeremy and Amanda;
his grandsons, Jackson, Grayson, and Kellan; as well as his son-in-law, Edmund,
and his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth. He
also leaves behind a beloved nephew, Reid Colley, who was a second son.
