Bobby Francis Vaughan

Bobby F. Vaughan, Captain, United States Navy Reserve (Retired), and retired Captain for Eastern Airlines, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, February 13, 2026, with his wife and family by his side.

Born to William Patrick Vaughan and Rebecca Elliott Vaughan, Bobby was one of thirteen children and grew up in Nelson, Mecklenburg County, Virginia. In his early years, he worked alongside his family raising tobacco, a foundation that instilled in him the discipline, work ethic, and resilience that would define his life.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, and by his brothers Chester, Winn, Randolph, and Jack, as well as many close nieces and nephews.

Bobby and Judy built their home in Dogwood Airpark, a residential airpark community in Stafford County, Virginia, Together they raised four children: Brenda Hotinger (Joe), Donna Vaughan (Kim), Stephen Vaughan (Janice), and Sandra Arnold (Roger). He was also blessed with grandchildren — Jake, Emily, Alex, Paul, Ashley, Lindsey, Zachary, Rachel, and Corbin — and great‑grandchildren Drew and Colby.

Bobby graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 1961 with a degree in engineering. He entered the United States Navy that same year as an AOC and earned his designation as a Naval Aviator in January 1963.

His active-duty assignments included Fleet Tactical Support Squadron VR‑1 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and later NATTC Glynco, Georgia, where he qualified as an anti‑submarine air controller. He resigned his commission and was released from active duty in 1967. Captain Vaughan continued his distinguished military service through multiple Navy Reserve squadrons at NAS Washington, D.C. He was the first Commanding Officer of VR‑48 Fleet Tactical Support Squadron. While serving with the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) at the Pentagon, he was the Commanding Officer of DCNOOP 05‑166. Captain Vaughan retired from the Naval Reserve in 1989 after more than two decades of devoted service.

Following his military career, Bobby flew for Eastern Airlines, piloting the Lockheed L‑188 Electra, Boeing 727, Douglas DC‑9, Airbus A‑300, and the Lockheed L‑1011. After retiring from commercial aviation, he founded AERO Realty, which he operated for many years in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

A lifelong aviator at heart, Bobby poured his passion for flight into every stage of his life. He was an active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and proudly completed the build of his Vans RV‑8 in 2004. He supported the EAA Young Eagles Program and shared the wonder of aviation with people of all ages. Bobby remained a Certified Flight Instructor throughout his life — still instructing and mentoring new pilots at the time of his passing — a role he cherished deeply. Among those he taught to fly were his son Stephen, daughter Donna, and grandson Corbin, along with many friends, neighbors, and aspiring aviators.

Bobby and Judy were members of Fairview Baptist Church in Fredericksburg and he was a long-time active member of the Massad Family YMCA in Falmouth.

He will be remembered for his steadfast devotion to family, his disciplined and humble character, his honorable service to his country, and his unwavering passion for aviation. He touched countless lives through his generosity, mentorship, and love of flight, and he will be deeply missed by many.

The family will receive friends from 1:00pm-2:00pm Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 1621 Emancipation Highway, Fredericksburg, VA where a funeral service will be held at 2:00pm. Interment with Military Honors will be held at 10:00am Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the EAA Young Eagles Program at eaa.org/foundation/giving-opportunities.