The AOPA Foundation, Inc.
Personal Giving Stories
Foresight of Aviation Advocate Helps Future Pilots
As an author, Robin Forbes Perry's favorite topic was good landings—perfectly understandable for a high-flying advocate of aviation.
Robin's love of aviation was in his genes and background. His father flew with the British Royal Flying Corps in World War I and was killed over France prior to Robin's birth. His stepfather, A. Holand Forbes, had a distinguished career, including aviation, and helped turn his son into a naval officer and pilot.
Robin began flying before World War II and published more than 269 books, articles, and stories promoting the dream of flying. At one point he interviewed famous aviators on his own aviation-related talk show on WNHC in New York and Connecticut. He was still an active CFI and flying his own 172 until his passing at the age of 88 in 2005.
A few years ago, Robin contacted the AOPA with his legacy on his mind. "The other day my attorney suggested since I was in my 85th year on earth—I might write a will," he stated. "My small fortune is to be distributed to those people meaningful to me and those organizations I have belonged to over my lifetime. Among those associations as a pilot for some 70 years has been the AOPA, since 1940."
Even before the Legacy Society was created, Robin committed a sizable portion of his estate to ensure that future pilots have smooth flights—and good landings too.
Updated June 16, 2008
