Robert “Bob” Park Lance, lovingly known as “Sweet Ole Bob” by his mother-in-law and simply “Bob” to his many friends and loved ones, passed away peacefully at his home in Little Switzerland on Monday,September 29, 2025.
Bob was born in 1943 in Calhoun, Georgia, to Mary Anna Anderson Lance (Royall) and Robert Park Lance. His father gave his life in World War II. Raised in Miami Springs, Florida, by his mother and stepfather, Skeeter Royall, Bob grew up surrounded by planes.
A graduate of Miami Jackson High School, Class of 1962, Bob went on to attend Kemper Military Academy in Boonville, Missouri, and Young Harris College in the mountains of North Georgia. He flew for Northeast Airlines and Frontier before settling in with Delta Air Lines, where he served for 35 years as a Captain on the MD-88 and the 767ER.
Bob enjoyed lending a hand to the JAARS mission aviation organization each year, helping during their training exercises on the airstrip near his home. At home, Bob enjoyed tinkering in his garage on woodworking projects, his motorcycle or Jeep, or building model planes.
Bob is survived by his wife, Patti Merck Lance; his daughter Robyn Lance, son-in-law Eric Brown, and grandson Gilen Brown; and his daughter Kate Parks and son-in-law Ryan Parks.
A memorial will be planned for a future date, where friends and family will gather to honor and remember Bob’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob’s name to JAARS at jaars.org.
Fly high, Captain. The skies are yours.
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to the website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Bob Lance’s name and then you may sign his guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Lance and is honored to be serving the Lance family.
Mr. Lance’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing
