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Post by graham on Jul 22, 2022 12:47:25 GMT
I've just found out that Bob Hinkel, known to us here on AFA as rh226 passed away at his home in Melksham, Wiltshire last Saturday. Bob had been a member and moderator here for several years and I think it's fair to say had a vast knowledge of military aviation. Some members on AFA and a chap on Fighter Control Group had sent messages asking me if he was OK as no one had heard from him since mid June.
I only met Bob the once when we all convened at Chard last November for the helicopter tour and I found him to be a softly spoken and very polite chap. I also got the impression that he wasn't coping with life too well or taking proper care of himself since he lost his wife about three years ago.
We all owe Bob a debt of gratitude for what he brought to the forum and I'm sure you'll all join me in sending sincerest condolences to his family at this very sad time. RIP Bob.
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Post by deke on Jul 22, 2022 12:57:13 GMT
Terribly sad news about Bob, who was always there with a patient answer to my questions concerning unidentifed military OTTs, a big loss to the AFA forum. My sympathies to his family, friends, and aviation associates.
Thanks for letting us know Graham.
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Post by davebasing on Jul 22, 2022 12:59:14 GMT
I've just found out that Bob Hinkel, known to us here on AFA as rh226 passed away at his home in Melksham, Wiltshire last Saturday. Bob had been a member and moderator here for several years and I think it's fair to say had a vast knowledge of military aviation. Some members on AFA and a chap on Fighter Control Group had sent messages asking me if he was OK as no one had heard from him since mid June. I only met Bob the once when we all convened at Chard last November for the helicopter tour and I found him to be a softly spoken and very polite chap. I also got the impression that he wasn't coping with life too well or taking proper care of himself since he lost his wife about three years ago. We all owe Bob a debt of gratitude for what he brought to the forum and I'm sure you'll all join me in sending sincerest condolences to his family at this very sad time. RIP Bob. That's very sad news. As you say he had a vast knowledge of matters military and he and I shared a number of exchanges on this forum where he was always happy to give freely of his knowledge. He will be greatly missed.
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Post by billsamuels on Jul 22, 2022 14:02:16 GMT
Very sad news about Bob and totally agree with Graham, Deke and Dave’s comment.
I only hope that when his time came it was peaceful and without any stress.
God bless Bob and RIP mate.
Bill
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Post by davidallum on Jul 22, 2022 14:06:57 GMT
I never had the pleasure of meeting Bob but it's always very sad when a fellow member passes away.
RIP Bob.
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Post by Jeff on Jul 22, 2022 14:39:24 GMT
Its come as a great shock hearing that Bob has passed, condolences to his family and friends
Jeff
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Post by zz on Jul 22, 2022 14:42:25 GMT
That’s very sad to read. I met Bob on three occasions and he helped me several times with various requests. I also always enjoyed his Mildenhall/Lakenheath blogs!
RIP Bob “rh226” , you will be missed!
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Post by keefyboy on Jul 22, 2022 15:07:09 GMT
A fountain of knowledge on military aviation. RIP Bob.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2022 17:10:01 GMT
I've just found out that Bob Hinkel, known to us here on AFA as rh226 passed away at his home in Melksham, Wiltshire last Saturday. Bob had been a member and moderator here for several years and I think it's fair to say had a vast knowledge of military aviation. Some members on AFA and a chap on Fighter Control Group had sent messages asking me if he was OK as no one had heard from him since mid June. I only met Bob the once when we all convened at Chard last November for the helicopter tour and I found him to be a softly spoken and very polite chap. I also got the impression that he wasn't coping with life too well or taking proper care of himself since he lost his wife about three years ago. We all owe Bob a debt of gratitude for what he brought to the forum and I'm sure you'll all join me in sending sincerest condolences to his family at this very sad time. RIP Bob. That is such sad news Graham- never met him but had PM'd him on a few occasions- a fountain of knowledge about all things military, and his knowledge on the subject will certainly be missed on this forum- RIP Bob. Bob
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Post by dave on Jul 22, 2022 17:55:50 GMT
Sad news, never had the fortune to meet him, but a couple of enquires of him brought a quick response, RIP and i hope the skies are blue where you are...
regards, dave...
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Post by foxfire on Jul 22, 2022 20:47:26 GMT
Very sad news. I hope his posts on here will remain as a memorial to his vast knowledge about military aviation.
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Post by chrisb on Jul 22, 2022 20:48:40 GMT
I always enjoyed Bobs Mildenhall reports from his caravan trips to East Anglia. We never met but sad to hear this news. Chris
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Post by chalkyboy on Jul 22, 2022 21:01:10 GMT
I only met Bob once at Johns Field Mildenhall where he was a regular . His knowledge of Military planes and what was due was amazing . He would extend his Mildenhall trips if anything good was booked and would nip home 150 miles to the west country if he needed to be home. His extended stays at Johns field and reports always made good reading.. RIP ..
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Post by christoff on Jul 23, 2022 5:47:57 GMT
Have only just caught up with the news, and very sad news it is indeed, my heart felt condolences go out to his family and members of AFA who had the pleasure of meeting him. I would often message him about the military content of my radar box reports, and no matter how trivial the question may have been he would always take the time to reply in his expertly friendly manner. May he rest in piece amongst the clouds.
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Post by davebasing on Jul 23, 2022 8:55:17 GMT
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Post by jargon on Jul 23, 2022 10:12:24 GMT
Condolences to his family and friends, RIP Bob
John
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Post by smudger98 on Jul 23, 2022 10:32:56 GMT
Best Wishes and deepest sympathy to Bob’s family at this sad time.. Smudger..
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Post by airsicksteve on Jul 23, 2022 15:45:46 GMT
So very saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. As one who has always had a soft spot for Mildenhall and Lakenheath- from my spotting days with my Cousin back in the 1970s - i always looked forward to Bob’s reports during his extended stays in John’s Field and the USAF movements. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject will be hard to even equal. RIP Sir
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2022 16:56:01 GMT
I sadly never met Bob but wish I had. Loved his Mildenhall reports. You almost felt like you were in John’s field with him. A great loss. RIP Bob.
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Post by bizfreeq on Jul 25, 2022 13:48:34 GMT
Have only just caught up with this and am absolutely gutted. I am proud to call Bob a friend. We met many years ago on one of his extended Hall/Heath trips when his wife was also very much alive. We had corresponded for some time prior to this meeting on all things military aviation and his knowledge and memory was superb and I will greatly miss our chats. I got the impression he wasn't coping so well though he insisted that he was, just wish he had been more local to me but he wasn't. So R.I.P Bob, friend and military aviation encyclopedia, you will be missed...... Blue Skies
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Post by graham on Jul 25, 2022 14:47:50 GMT
When Bob and I met up at Chard back in September Mark, I too had the impression that the poor guy was rather at odds with everything and as you say, wasn't coping well with the situation since his wife passed away. You form an idea in your mind of what you think a person looks like and Bob was completely different to how I had pictured him. We talked quite a bit as we went round the helicopters and then some more when we had tea and sarnies afterwards. The sad thing is that just prior to the first lockdown in early 2020, we had exchanged messages and he was going to drive from Melksham where he lived to Devizes, which is only 7 or 8 miles, and have a couple of beers with me.
Of course, Covid then threw everything off track, the plan was shelved and we never rescheduled the get together. I supposed it's very fair to say that I felt quite sorry for Bob after meeting him at Chard, he didn't seem to be taking care of himself and seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. I hope to goodness that I never find myself in a similar situation.
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