Harvey Hay

Harvey Robert Hay, or Bob as he preferred to be called, was born December 1, 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri to Daniel S. and Laura Hay. He graduated from Central High School in 1942 having achieved National Honor Society status and Eagle Scout with Palm Leaves.

Bob met future wife Ruth Ellen Baird in 1939 and they married on February 22, 1946.

After high school he worked for Kansas City Southern Railroad and attended the Kansas City Business College at night. He enlisted in the Navy V-5 Aviation Cadet program in May, 1943 was commissioned in 1945 and retired from Naval reserves in 1967, having been the first pilot to achieve 20 years of reserve duty at the Olathe Naval Air Station. Navy V-5 cadets were educated in multiple participating institutions, which for Bob included Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, Iowa State University, Iowa City, Iowa, Ottumwa Naval Air Station, Ottumwa, Iowa and Corpus Christi Naval Air station, Corpus Christi, Texas, where he received his commission.

Bob found his perfect career as a pilot for Trans World Airlines from 1953 through 1985 and as a Captain from 1959 until his retirement. He retired from TWA’s International Division on December 1, 1985 with just under 32½ years. He flew the DC-3, DC-4, Martin 202 and 404, all models of the Constellation and Boeing 707 series, Convair 880, B-727, Lockheed 1011, and retired on the Boeing 747.

Bob and his wife owned and operated several dry-cleaning stores under the One Hour Martinizing franchise. They also owned HRH Farms Inc, of Springhill, Kansas – an American Saddlebred operation.

He was a member of Village Presbyterian Church since early 1951, the Naval Air Transport Squadron Association and TWA Active and Retired Pilots Association.

He cared deeply for their Cocker Spaniels, Silver Rum Dum 1947, Friskie 1958 and truly loved his English Setter Bird dogs, Henry Beauregard 1973, The Beauregard Jack 1987 and Steve’s English Setter, Reno Valedictorian 1968. They were his pride and joy.

Bob will be deeply missed by Ruth, his wife of 73 years, daughter Sharon, son Steven and granddaughter Vasilisa.