Bob Reynolds (my Dad and founder of Valor Tours), passed away January 7th, 2021 at a senior home facility in Georgetown, Texas. Being 1700 miles away in California I could not be with him at the end, but his beloved caregiver Julia was by his side for that I’m forever grateful. He always said he planned to live to be 100, but Covid19 took him six months shy of his goal. Still he had a long and fruitful life as briefly outlined in my tribute to him below for his 99th birthday. Those of you who had the privilege of travelling with him knew he was a special man who accomplished much in his long life. We will all remember him with fondness.
Born in the jungles of Burma after WWI, Bob Reynolds grew up in London. He flew Lancasters for the RAF during WWII and participated in the night bombing raids over Berlin and later the Berlin Airlift. He migrated to the U.S. in 1947 and married Nancy MacBurney in Chicago where they began their life together. He joined the sales and marketing department of BOAC (now British Airways). In 1968 he accepted a position with the Pacific Area Travel Association which took him all over the Pacific Rim. During that time he told the Department of Tourism for the Philippines that Corregidor would be their No. 1 tourist attraction and to keep it open. They did. He later went to work for the Hong Kong Tourism Association and was known as "Mr. Hong Kong." Finally in 1975 he fulfilled a dream of starting a tour company to take Veterans and their families back to the battle sites of WWI and WWII which was incorporated as Valor Tours in 1977. Valor Tours continues today in Sausalito with his daughter Vicky at the helm. Bob was also involved with fundraising, placement and dedication of memorials and monuments all over the Pacific including the American Memorial at Guadalcanal.
Bob is survived by his daughter Vicky Reynolds-Middagh, his son Roger Reynolds and grandsons Michael and Chris, all living in Marin County, California.
Donations in Bob’s name can be made to the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum Inc in Terrell, TX which is a 501 C Corp for tax donation where services for him will take place when Covid19 is over.
Send Checks To This Mailing Address:
No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum
119 Silent Wings
Terrell, TX 75160 Tele: Tel: 972-551-1122 Website: www.bftsmuseum.org
[email protected]. 415-332-7850.
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