The R.S. I remembered never soared above reason, the scientific method or courage to face facts. He will be missed greatly by his immediate family, first and foremost. But his many dear friends who shared his excitement for aviation, education, safety, accountability, patriotism, ethics, politics, materialism, etc. will persevere with a new outlook. We now have his sound shoulders to stand on.

Thank you Celeste and the entire Sherman Family for sharing Rob with me and the world.

Message from Kathy Cummings

December 18, 2016 4:40 PM

A few years ago, I was looking for the Green Party contingency to join them marching in the Chicago Gay Parade and saw Rob driving his big, wide, white travel trailer. You couldn't miss it. It was huge!

Rob invited me to get in and we rode through the rest of the parade waving, honking, sharing the peace signs and shouting to the crowd, "Go Green!" Celeste was cheering to the crowd, too, and Rob suddenly stopped the vehicle to jump out and give his son a big kiss and hug.
That's the kind of man he was, generous, kind-hearted, a loving husband and father with a big not-to-miss voice!

Message from Carl Silverman

December 17, 2016 8:47 AM

Rob was one of a kind. He was a role model for me (although he was a bit more diplomatic!) as an atheist/church-state activist. I'll never forget the time I first contacted him, just for some advice as to how to I should handle a troubling religious civil rights issue. Not long after our phone call, he called me back to say that he had called the responsible party, and convinced them to eliminate the religiously discriminatory problem. Solved, without publicity or controversy. I'm not often that successful. And I'll always appreciate the time he drove his truck out to Pennsylvania just to give a talk at our atheist organization. He clearly LOVED to help solve problems---to right wrongs. But he wasn't afraid of controversy or hate directed at him. He will be sorely missed and deserves formal recognition from atheist and church-state organizations nationwide. As someone with an education and background in aviation, I know all too well how unforgiving it can be. But it clearly gave him great joy, and I can relate to that. How wonderful--and fitting to his character--to have the memorial service at an airport! Yet, my heart goes out to the family.