Bob grew up in College Park, Maryland and graduated Gonzaga High School. He attended the University of Maryland before enlisting in the Navy in 1963. Bob was a U.S. Navy Jet Carrier Pilot flying the F-8 Crusader and the A-4 Skyhawk during the Vietnam War. Bob was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Gold and Silver Stars, Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After being honorably discharged from the Navy Bob started a career as a commercial Airplane Pilot for Eastern Airlines. In 1981 Bob merged his long-time love for model airplanes into a new business venture BVM Jets, which he ran until selling in 2016. During his time as founder, BVM Jets emerged as the worldwide leader in the design, development and manufacture of radio-controlled model jet airplanes.
Amongst Bob’s many accomplishments, he was a three-time world champion R/C Pylon Racer, racing his self-designed Pole Cat Airplane. He was also a two-time winner of the prestigious Mr. Top Gun award going to the best Scale Airplane pilot, flying his designs of an F-86 Sabre Jet and F-100. In 1996 Bob was inducted in the Academy of Model Aeronautics Hall of Fame. During his 35 years in business his list of awards and accomplishments are vast.
Bob is predeceased by his infant son Robert Violett, Jr. and survived by his wife of 58 years Patricia Violett. Daughters Marcia Jones, Patty Generali, Debbie Violett Grindstaff; Son-in Laws Tal Jones, Michael Generali; Grandchildren Victoria Tasch, Garrett Jones and Mary Eileen Grindstaff; Sisters
Mary- Anne Schoeb, Marcia Geoghan. And thousands of fellow modelers that he considered his family.
Bob will be laid to rest at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 funerals are being restricted to immediate family members only. Any further memorials or plans will be announced in the future.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for the Vietnam Veterans of America Association at www.VVA.org
