Robert E. Anson

Aviation Pioneer & Executive

ROBERT (BOB) ANSON

Bob passed away at age 99 on Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd in Naples. He was known as Bob to his friends and "HONEY” to his family.

Kind, generous and principled, Bob lived with a great sense of honor and spirit of gratitude. A man of action driven by a sense of service in areas where he felt he could make a difference.

He was born in Hamilton, Montana. At the age of nine he knew he wanted to fly and be a pilot. A true early pioneer in the field of aviation he traveled to St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from Parks Air College (1941) with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

In 1943 Bob and his bride Peggy, moved to San Jose, Costa Rica where he worked as a captain for T.A.C.A Airlines. It was here that he became an aviation pioneer in Latin America between 1941 and 1963. During that two-decade period Bob was a pilot, businessman, and aviation executive in Costa Rica and Central America. During the war Bob served in the Army Air Corps in Panama. Bob took great pride in having established the only aviation overhaul station in Latin America with a stellar world-wide reputation of excellence and safety.

After moving to Bethesda, Maryland in 1963 until his retirement in 1987 Bob was President of AIRCLAIMS INC., a worldwide aviation insurance adjusting company in London. He was responsible for opening and overseeing offices throughout the U.S. and Alaska and had satellite offices throughout Mexico, Central and South America. He was an honorary life member of Congressional Country Club in Potomac, Maryland.

Bob and Peggy moved to Naples, Florida in 1994. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and active volunteer in numerous community activities. He was active in the Naples Hangar of the "Quiet- Birdman" Association. He was a member of the Almas Shriners organization in Washington, D.C. They lived at Foxfire Golf and Country Club until April 2018. They moved from their independent living at Foxfire to Terracina Grand, a senior and assisted living facility in Naples.

Family survivors include his beloved wife Peggy of 75 years of life together and three children: Briah, Janet Dahlem partner (Minneapolis); Roberto (Baltimore); Daughter-in-law Joan Anson (Pittsburgh); and Richard and wife Barbara (West Virginia); 4 grandchildren Kim Linck (Bob) and family; Ryan Anson (Kelly), Dan Anson (Sara); Christina Anson; and 6 great grandchildren (Matthew Linck; Andrew Linck; Emily Linck; Cole Anson: Maria Ture; and Gabriel Anson).

A Memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3901 Davis Boulevard in Naples, Fl, on Thursday, November 29th at 2 p.m.; followed by a reception in Trinity Hall.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made in his memory to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or to a charity of your choice. 

lnurnment will be in the COLUMBARIUM at ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY in Arlington, Virginia at a later date. Bob will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.