Robert Allardyce
Obituary
Robert
William Allardyce
1922-2013 PITTSFIELD Robert William Allardyce, 90, of 16 Churchill St. died
peacefully Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family.
Robert, known as "Bob" to his friends and family, was born in
Sacramento, California, on September 23, 1922, son of William R. and Addie
Wilmot Allardyce.
He graduated from Oakland (California) High School in 1941 and completed an
Airplane Engine Mechanics program at the National Youth Administration
Vocational School in Sacramento. He graduated from the CAL-Aero Technical
Institute in 1946.
Following vocational school Bob was as an airline mechanic at the Sacramento Air
Depot at Plane Haven, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Army
in December 1942 and became a flight engineer on B-17 and B-29 aircraft in the
Pacific Theater as part of the 6th Bombardment 39th Squadron 20th Air Force in
the Marianas. Bob flew photo reconnaissance and bombing missions over Japan from
the U.S. base on Tinian Island. He was honorably discharged with the rank of
Master Sergeant on Dec. 4, 1945.
After the war Bob married his first wife, Maxine, and lovingly raised two
children, Pegi and William. With his second wife Barbara, whom he married in
1974, he raised two children, Dagan and Kimberly, in the Berkshires.
Following World War II he worked as a commercial airline flight engineer and
international relief officer, first for Trans Ocean Airlines and then Trans
World Airlines (TWA). Bob retired in 1985 after 32 years with TWA. Most notable
of the various aircraft Bob flew were the Lockheed Constellation, the Boeing 707
and the Boeing 747.
As an investigator of aircraft crashes, Bob was recognized as an industry expert
in navigation and aircraft controls systems. The highlight of this work was an
11-year investigation into the 1983 Korean Airlines Flight 007 tragedy. In 1995
the two-volume book "Desired Track" by Bob and coauthor James Gollin
detailed their research and position on events precipitating the passenger
aircraft's destruction by a Soviet fighter jet. The work inspired the
made-for-television movie "Shootdown."
Bob fought for human and labor rights. As a union leader he was instrumental in
securing fair salaries and worker protections for flight engineers of major
airlines in the early 1960s. Bob also trained the first African-American flight
engineer in U.S. commercial aviation history. Bob's TWA retiree business card
reads: "Goodwill Ambassador," a testament to his personality.
An avid reader, intellectual and writer, he contributed frequent letters to the
editor and opinion columns to the Berkshire Eagle.
Although his life experiences and accomplishments could fill a novel, Bob's true
love was spending quality time with family and friends. A caring and thoughtful
father, he gave first priority to children and family at home, traveling,
camping or attending sporting events. He touched many people's lives with his
love and sense of humor.
Bob leaves his wife, the former Barbara J. Ziehlsdorff, whom he married June 1,
1974; two daughters, Pegi Allardyce of Hayward, California, and Kimberly
Allardyce-Moon of Kailua, Hawaii; a son, Dagan Allardyce and his wife Annemarie
of Waterbury Center, Vermont; a granddaughter, Isla Allardyce; nieces and
nephews on the West Coast; as well as his dog, Ziggy.
He was pre-deceased by a son, William Robert Allardyce, who died November 24,
2008.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Race Brook Lodge
in Sheffield, Massachusetts on Sunday, July 28 from noon to 5 p.m. Readings and
remembrances will be held at 2. All who knew Bob are welcome.
To help the family plan accordingly, please email kim@bellalunayoga.com if you
intend to join the celebration.
Published in The Berkshire Eagle on June 30, 2013
