My father, Bob Love passed away last Friday June 12th 
at the age of 89.  
 
Steve Love
 
Captain Robert H. Love 
(Lt Col First US Army Air Corps, USAF, 
Captain CATC, Chief Pilot, Overseas National Airways) 
passed away June 12th, 2009 in Santa Rosa, California. 
Born in Barboursville, West Virginia, September 6, 1919, 
second son of Alfred Love and Nona Alderman Love, he 
is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, 
Elsa Magana Love; children, Robert W., David (Patricia); 
Stephen (Pam); and Jeffrey (Kevin Lane); grandchildren 
Andrea, Eli and Eva. He is preceded in death by his 
first wife Winifred (Winnie) Hong Love, brother William, 
sisters Sarah and Janet. 

Bob grew up on a small family farm in West Virginia, 
attended Brandon High School in Tampa, FL and the 
University of Florida. In 1940, Bob joined the Army 
Air Corps and graduated from pilot school in the first 
class after Pearl Harbor. He became a flight instructor 
at Randolph Field, Texas. Trained in a variety of 
aircraft from P-38s to C-54s, he also tested the first 
jet fighter, the P-80 Shooting Star. After the war, 
he transferred to Kiangwan AAB in Shanghai China and 
discharged as Major in the US Army Air Corps in 1946. 
Bob worked for Central Air Transport Corporation
(CATC) out of Shanghai with Moon Chin, the pilot who 
flew Jimmy Doolittle out of China after the secret 
raid on Japan in 1942. He met his first wife, Winnie, 
who worked for General Chenault, then at Kangwan AAB 
working for Bob's commanding officer. They married in 
Shanghai in September, 1947, and lived there until 
1949 before returning to the States. After attending 
Stanford University, Bob raised his family in the bay 
area. With Overseas National Airways 1951-1976, he 
retired as a DC-10 Captain after logging nearly 25,000 
hours in the air. Bob and Elsa were married in 1977 and 
have lived in Santa Rosa for the past 22 years. He was 
a devoted and loving husband, great friend, proud father 
and grandfather, avid golfer, and unpredictable bridge 
player. To the end he lived life to the fullest taking 
on new challenges with boundless energy and enthusiasm. 
With clear skies and a strong tail wind, Bob took his 
last flight at 1 pm, June 12, 2009 surrounded by Elsa 
and his sons. His drive, resiliency and humor will be 
missed by all who knew him. 

A memorial to celebrate his life is planned for Sunday, 
June 28th at 3:00 PM at the Central "Berger" Facility, 
6633 Oakmont Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409.

BOB was the ONA crew Elvis, we looked up to him.


We love you Bob and all the 

best to Elsa & the family






Homage to Bob Love

Elvis - Follow that dream

ONA CREW HOMAGE TO THE # 1 CREW