Robert Francis Aumack

CDR Robert (Bob) F. Aumack (USN Retired)

1928-2023

“When a great tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?” Bob Aumack was by any measure a “Great Tree” in our Del Monte Forest. Bob was born in New Jersey and knew at an early age that he wanted to fly. He joined the Navy in 1948 under the “Flying Midshipman” program and received his golden wings in Pensacola, FL in 1950. Bob served more than 28 years, flew over 7,300 flight hours, and made 512 carrier landings. He flew from or served on 14 different aircraft carriers and was a key contributor to Naval Aviation’s transition to the jet age, instrument flying, and fleet replacement squadrons.

He flew 76 combat missions as a member of the USS Oriskany’s CVW-16 team in Vietnam before becoming Operations Officer at Miramar (Top Gun). During his land based time, CDR. Aumack was involved in the design of the Lightweight Fighter which would become the F-16 and the F/A-18 we know today as well as Air Combat and Carrier Landing Simulators.

Bob is perhaps best known as the leader of The Blue Angels, the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron where he served a record 3 ½ years as Number One. During that period (1964-1966), “The Blues” performed a record number of demonstrations throughout the world. In his career, Bob was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 7 Air Medals in addition to numerous other awards.

After his retirement, Bob settled in Pebble Beach, CA having become familiar to the area during two stints at The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. He volunteered constantly, working with The Pebble Beach Company Foundation in funding scholarships and educational opportunities for the County’s young people. An avid golfer, he worked with Calloway Golf and Pro-Am Golf, as well. Bob was a lifetime bachelor and a devout Catholic. He was preceded in death by his two brothers and his loving companion of 45 years, Elizabeth Coelho. He will be interred at Arlington Cemetery with full military honors on April 29, 2024.