Robert F Kavula
Captain Robert F Kavula (Bob) took his final most important and peaceful flight on August 23, 2023, God Speed. Bob celebrated 85 years with many lives touched and saved. Bob was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Frank and Ethel (Smolen) Kavula. Bob is predeceased by brother Thomas Kavula, a New Jersey State Trooper. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years Dale (O’Grady) Kavula and their three sons Kevin (Cyndee), Keith, and Scott. Bob graduated from Xavier Military Academy High School in Manhattan. He worked as a bartender in his father’s tavern, Frank’s Bar and Grill in Bayonne, New Jersey. During the summers he worked as a manager of multiple concession stands in Bear Mountain State Park, New York and for fun as a Good Humor man where he met his wife, Dale. Bob continued his education at St. Peters College Jersey City, New Jersey, and Newark College of Engineering where he obtained an associated engineer degree. Bob always dreamed of traveling and flying airplanes. He signed up with the Navy and went to Saufley Field in Pensacola Florida where he trained to be a pilot, including landings on the Antietam Aircraft Carrier. He continued training at Corpus Christi, Texas and was assigned to Squadron VP19 at NAS in Alameda, California. Later VP19 Squadron was transferred to Adak, Alaska and was his last duty station where he flew P2V’s and P3A’s used for anti-submarine warfare flying just 100 ft above the sea. After his duty ended in Alaska, he interviewed with four airlines and chose Trans World Airlines (TWA) and started on March 1, 1965. He flew with TWA domestic and international for 35 years ending on May 25th, 1998, which was mandatory at age 60. He flew around the world flights, which took him to many exotic locations. These flights were 10-12 days of flying requiring just as many days to recuperate before starting the next around the world flight. His later flight days would take him to Egypt and Riyad, Saudi Arabia. Bob met many famous people flying on his flights including Neil Armstrong, Jackie Kennedy, and many others. Bob was very much a family man and loved taking his family on his trips showing them the world at very young ages. While he lived in Pennsylvania, he coached Little League Baseball, and managed a local swimming pool with swimming lessons and a concession stand. He loved skiing, hunting, boating, swimming, water skiing, and traveling. In retirement Bob had the honor of being the last president of the TWA Retired Airline Pilots Association before TWA shut down the airline. He also wrote a book with a collection of short stories of his experiences as a Navy pilot and a commercial pilot titled “I’ll Have the Chicken”. Bob was a great storyteller, he always would have an audience, and everyone loved to hear him tell his stories. He will be greatly missed by all who know him.
Viewing: Thursday, September 7, 2023 @ 2pm-5pm
La Paloma Funeral Services Chapel Room
2551 South Fort Apache Road Suite 101
Las Vegas, Nevada 89117
702-935-7900
Burial: Friday, September 8, 2023 @ 9:20am
Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SNVMC)
1900 Veterans Memorial Drive
Boulder City, Nevada 89005
702-486-5920
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.
10 Comments. Leave new
Fly with the eagles Captain Bob, you are an inspiration and greatly admired. Mahalo for all your stories , jokes and advise. May the four winds blow you safely home.
We both loved being Bob’s friend! He & Dale are close friends & Bob & Dusty were fellow TWA pilots & past presidents of TWA Retired Pilots Association. Bob was a fun, interesting & knowledgeable man & very loved by Dale, his sons & friends. He will be missed!!
Dusty & Lee West
Dale: what a wonderful memory to an gentleman that went on to be a great pilot, good friend and a very good pilot. I am probably the next to go but I will say, he was a gentleman, smart and one of Tarpa’s leader and friends to all. He did it right. I hope folks will feel that way about all of our terrific pilots, we made aviation wonderful with the help of our TWA Family!!
Dear Dale & Family, I was shocked when I read your message. My sympathy and prayers to you & your family. I read in the Skyliner that he had a stroke & we had a TWA luncheon last week & I told everyone about Bob. A lot of them remembered you & Bob. Wish I lived closer but I don’t travel anymore. You take care & I will be thinking of you on the day of the funeral. Love, Jan.
Bob was an incredible pilot, dad, husband and man. Everyone loved him, and loved to hear the stories! Fly High, my Friend. Prayers for Dale & Family.
Dear, dear Dale, this is so hard to believe. When I think of Bob I think of energy, action, curiosity, travel, and newness, not endings. I’ll bet he was an awesome Good humor man (I did not know that). Many many blessings to you, and may you be surprised by Joy in the midst of all this. Much much much much love, Bonny
Oh dear, such a shock. When I think of Bob, I think action, energy, curiosity, travel and newness, not endings. It seems to me like yesterday that wee Jeffrey was toddling up your driveway for an unannounced (to either party) visit. May the love of friends and family uphold you, and the peace of God surround you. May you find unexpected joy “in the midst.” With much, much love, Bonny
Oh dear, such a shock. When I think of Bob, I think action, energy, curiosity, travel and newness, not endings. It seems to me like yesterday that wee Jeffrey was toddling up your driveway for an unannounced (to either party) visit. May the love of friends and family uphold you, and the peace of God surround you. May you find unexpected joy “in the midst.” With much, much love, Bonny
You will remain immortal through all of the loving thoughts and memories of you. You hold a very special place in my heart . I will miss you and your stories. Heaven gained a wonderful angel 💕
Dear Dale & Family, So sorry to hear this sad news about Bob. Sorry I’m replying to you so late. Praying for you and your family to stay strong at this difficult time.