Robert Edward Homan

Please join us as we share more of Bob's life.

AVCM Robert Edward (Bob) Homan (U.S. Navy retired), age 72, passed away July 17, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born August 31, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Maurice and Ina Homan. He served in Arkansas National Guard for 2 years, Naval Aviation for 10 years, then 20 years active reserve, attended Memphis State University and San Diego City College. His career in aviation manufacturing spanned 50 years.

Bob Homan began his civilian career as an Avionics Liaison Engineer at Wilcox Electric in Kansas City , Missouri after completing 10 years with the United States Navy as an Avionics Technician and Instructor. He rapidly rose to Manager of Airborne Products Assembly at Wilcox Electric. At Wilcox Electric Bob was in charge of approximately 50 technicians and 200 assembly workers.

He later joined Torotel Incorporated as Production Manager of the Electronic Filter Group, Torotel Inc. manufactured sophisticated electronic filters, transformers, and inductors. He then directed his career path toward the field of Quality Assurance when he joined one of the world's largest producers of avionics, King Radio Corporation in Olathe KS . King Radio manufactured virtually everything in aircraft avionics from Radios and VORs through Transponders, DMEs, RNAVs, to HSIs and Attitude Indicators. He started with King Radio as Manager of Inspection. Bob handled all of the inspection and conformity activities for the corporation's 5 manufacturing facilities.

While he was at King Radio, he became very active in the American Society of Quality Control (ASQC) where he served as the Chairman of the Kansas City Section of the Society. He also attained the highly regarded Certification as a Quality Engineer (CQE) from the Society. Bob was promoted to Manager of Piper Field Support and relocated to Lakeland , FL where he trained Field Engineers and Technicians to man FAA Repair Stations in Lakeland and Vero Beach in order to support Piper Aircraft's increasing dependence on King Radio products.

After eight years with King Radio, Bob joined the Quality Assurance team at Piper Aircraft Corporation's Lakeland Florida facility as the Director of Quality Assurance. He was in charge of Quality Assurance for the Piper Navajos and Cheyenne 's and also trained and supervised a Quality Assurance team of over 70 individuals. Bob also served as Production Test Pilot for Piper Corporation on various aircraft including the high performance Cheyenne 400 propjet aircraft. He advanced rapidly to Vice President of Quality Assurance overseeing all of Piper Aircraft production after Piper consolidated all of its aircraft production activities in Vero Beach, Florida .

Bob joined the worldwide recognized Fairchild Aircraft Corporation as Vice President of Quality Assurance in October of 1991. During his tenure at Fairchild Corporation he was in charge of all Quality Assurance activities and, aided by his experience, knowledge and assistance, the company completed the FAA Certification program for the advanced high performance Metro 23 commuter airliner.

He then went to Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation, San Antonio Texas in October 1995 as Vice President, developing, directing and overseeing all of the Quality Assurance programs for the new high speed, long range SJ30-2 Corporate twinjet aircraft. Bob organized and lead a very impressive team of over 40 professionals, a staff of professional managers and Quality Engineers as well as a very sophisticated program to maintain conformity control aimed at achieving FAA certification of the new SJ30-2 twin jet. He helped transition the bankrupt Sino-Swearingen/Emivest to Syberjet Aircraft as a senior consultant. He retired from Syberjet Aircraft last fall.

Robert Homan was a FAA Certified Commercial Pilot and had advanced instrument and multi-engine Pilot ratings. He was also a FAA Certified Flight Instructor with Instrument and Multi-engine Privileges. As mentioned, he also had a high number of hours as a Production Test Pilot at Piper Aircraft Corporation. Bob loved to fly and golfed whenever and wherever he was! His golf clubs were never too far out of reach! He loved working in his yard, entertaining and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Rick Homan. Robert is survived by his wife, Betsy Homan; sons, David Homan, Steve Homan and wife, Stormy, and Ryan Homan; daughter, Vikki Healey; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Lynne Alice Holley and husband Charles; brother, Chuck Homan and wife Rosie; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

MASS

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

8:30 A.M.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH

4201 DE ZAVALA

Interment with Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Presentation Sisters of San Antonio, 8931 Callaghan Rd., San Antonio, TX 78230.