About two years ago I wrote about Bob Reardon, the world's oldest ever flight attendant. He had worked for Delta (and previously Northwest) for 63 years. He was 90 years old, and was forced to retire, against his own will. It seems he didn't go out without a fight, as his last seven months were…
Continue reading: RIP: World’s Oldest Ever Flight Attendant Passes Away
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I flew with him several times to Asia. A good guy from the old school, sorry to hear this news.
I too flew with Bob several times to Tokyo. When I was employed by NW, Bob was a legend both inside and outside the company. I was chatting with him on one trip to NRT and I mentioned that he must have gone back to the (Boeing) 707 days. Bob corrected me, and told me he went back to the Boeing Stratocruiser days! Based in Minneapolis/St.Paul, he only flew MSP-NRT nonstops. He loved flying the Tokyo route, and he thought it would be fitting if he was lucky enough to someday pass away in Japan while on layover. Sadly he didn't get his wish, but he was lucky enough witness and be part of the golden years of commercial aviation. Bob was a great guy who will be missed by all who knew him.
"he thought it would be fitting if he was lucky enough to someday pass away in Japan while on layover."
That's pretty weird.
Die on a layover? Very classy. I'm sure he was a lovely guy with crisp dress shirts to the end, but I most assuredly do not want a Flight attendant who has been distinguished as "oldest on the planet."
Bob should have retired years ago...and opened up a slot for a younger person eager to start a career...if there was ever an emergency how the hell could a 90 year old perform his duties...that's very unsafe....sorry should have retired long ago..
"...how the hell could a 90-year-old perform his duties..." Why couldn't he?
You can't paint everyone with the same brush you know. I have a dear friend who was formerly my high-school science and physical education teacher, who today in his 80s can literally run circles around me!