Robert "Bob" Thomas Howell

Captain Robert Thomas Howell, 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Valor Hospice in Asheville, NC.

Bob was born on November 1, 1943, to the late Robert Everett Howell and Janie Mae Franklin Howell, in Bedford County, VA. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Michael Howell, of Roanoke, VA. He attended Huddleston Elementary, Hargrave Military Academy, and Altavista High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. He worked on the flight line at Eglin AFB as a mechanic. He would drive on the weekends to attend flight school where he would eventually receive his pilot’s certificate.

Bob flew for Pasquale Food Company (Birmingham, AL), Weiner King (Charlotte, NC), and Tennessee Airways (Chattanooga, TN) before flying for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which was a Delta Connection. He was certified by the FAA as a flight examiner, and he was proud of certifying thousands of pilots during his career. He loved flying and anything to do with aviation.

Bob is survived by his children, Diana Kay Alvis, of Bedford County, VA, Robert Thomas Howell, II, (Sarita) of Yorktown, VA, Rachel Leah Howell, of Macon, GA, and Adam Christopher Howell, of Marietta, GA; his sister, Rebecca Howell, of Floyd, VA; as well as his grandsons, Denver Alvis (Diana’s son) and Jackson Cash Howell (Rachel’s son).

Bob led a life full of adventure. He was a jokester, and he loved making people smile. He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles, too. Most importantly, he loved the Lord. He attended church services and Bible studies regularly. He loved to help people, and in his later life, often looked for ways to serve others. He actively sought to be an expression of the love of Christ. He was still making friends in the hospital and at Valor Hospice. This is the legacy that will be remembered.

Funeral service arrangements will be announced in the near future.