Robert “Bob” Irvin Stringfellow passed peacefully at his home in Wilmington Delaware on August 6th, 2024.
He was born to Irvin “Bud” Stringfellow and Marie Denney Stringfellow on March 5, 1955.
An adventurous and determined spirit since birth, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was a member of the collegiate Army ROTC.
He graduated from Brandywine High School in ‘73 and received his Bachelor’s from the University of Delaware in ‘77.
His lifelong dream was to be a pilot, and he achieved this in every form imaginable. He was a private flight instructor out of Wilmington Airport. He was a commercial pilot for numerous airlines including PBA, Eastern, Pan Am, TWA, and North American Airlines.
Bob served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Delaware Air National Guard where he piloted C130s with the 142nd Tactical Airlift Squadron.
He went on active duty with the Air Force on deployment to Rwanda and also served in the Gulf War for Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired from military service in 2004 and continued to share his passion and knowledge of flight with the next generation, serving as a flight instructor for Flight Safety International for two decades until he retired in 2023.
When he wasn’t in the air, he loved sailing, scuba diving, or riding his Harley.
He is survived by his daughter, Sara Stringfellow, his brother, Barry Stringfellow, and his beloved pups, Shelby and Lexi. He is also survived by many loving cousins, friends, neighbors, extended family, and guard members.
Bob was an active member and usher of St. David’s Episcopal Church, 2320 Grubb Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810, where services will be held on Saturday, August 17th at 11 am, with reception immediately following.
Interment at Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery with military honors will take place on Wednesday, August 28 at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, the Wounded Warrior Project, or the Gary Sinise Foundation.
