Lt. Col. Robert Michael "Bob" Mcdermott

Funeral mass for Lt. Colonel Retired Robert Michael “Bob” McDermott, 84, will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, January 21, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Mr. McDermott died at his residence on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.
A native of Kingston, PA, he was born on August 1, 1928 the son of the late Michael and Elizabeth Gertrude McLaughlin McDermott. Bob (also affectionately known as Mac) was an All- State football player at Kingson High School in Kingston, PA such that he received a scholarship to the University of West Virginia. While attending college he became active in the ROTC and upon graduation went directly into the United States Air Force where he flew F-86 and B-52 jets. He served his country in the Korean War and received many acclamations, among these awards was the Distinguished Flying Cross and honors during his 20 year military career. While in the Air Force, Bob earned the certification of ‘Triple Headed Monster’– which actually meant that he was trained as a Navigator, Radar and Bombardier specialist; a certification earned only by the best of the best. Bob was widely admired and respected by his fellow pilots for his devotion to duty and his tremendous flying ability. He was also a member of ‘SAC’ (Strategic Air Command) which was a group of pilots who had to be ready for flight at a moment’s notice; he often flew the B52 for 36 hours straight awaiting his next orders.
After retiring from the Air Force, Bob began flying for Federal Express May 30th, 1972. As one of the original pilots, he was the first to get 1,000 hours flying in the Falcon. As the company grew, Bob went on to fill the position of Chief Pilot for the Company and then flew as a Captain in the DC10 fleet. When Bob turned 60 years old the FAA said that Captains could no longer sit in the left seat, if they continued to fly it had to be in the Engineer position so that’s where he ended his career with FedEx – he loved flying that much! While flying in the ‘back-seat’ he met the love of his life Ann, who was also a company employee jump seating on the same flight he was a crew member on. They shared 22 beautiful years and many happy memories together.
As a man he stood head and shoulders above most. His greatest satisfaction in life came from doing for others, he was arguably the most generous, kind hearted man you would ever hope to meet.
He is survived by his wife, Ann rushing McDermott of Jackson, TN; daughters, Judy May and husband David of Little Rock, AR and Lesia Rushing of Collierville, TN and four grandchildren, Deborah Kieszek, Christa Kieszek and husband Kurt Johnson, Hayley Sheu and husband Chris and Lindsey May.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Eileen Ross and two brothers, John Donald McDermott and Gerald McDermott.
The family will be receiving friends on Sunday, January 20. 2013 from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway 731/ 668-1111 www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com .