Robert Frick

To know Bob Frick was to know a person with a joyful heart and adventurous spirit. Bob lived his life with great integrity. He accepted everyone he met with special kindness and modeled the life of a faithful Christian servant. A wonderful husband, father, and mentor to many, he leaves behind a beautiful example of living life to the fullest and giving selflessly his time and resources to others in need. With many small acts of love and large acts of sacrifice, he gave his all for the family he so loved. Bob will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all those whose lives he touched.

His story begins in the midst of the 1930s when the nation was bouncing back from tough economic times. The decade saw an expansion of new technologies. Aviation, radio, and film were making great strides. His mother, Emily, welcomed his arrival on August 4, 1936, in Orange, California. Born the only child, his birth brought her great joy and happiness. Growing up in the city of San Francisco, Bob lived a happy and fulfilled childhood. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he participated in the pole vault on his high school track and field team at Lowell High School. He was also a member of the yearbook club and enjoyed capturing many behind the scenes school events which led to a lifetime of shooting photos at family events.

After graduating with the Class of 1957, Bob attended San Francisco City College for two years before enlisting with the United States Navy. During his ten years, he served in the Pacific theater during the Vietnam War including the Philippines, Panama, and Georgia. His experience as a pilot led him to work for Frontier and Western airlines once he was discharged from the Navy.

After settling in Denver, Colorado, he met the love of his life, Jo Ann Ayres, who would change the course of his life forever! Hitting it off from the start, the two of them shared many commonalities. She was immediately smitten by his sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye and he fell for her sharp wit and beautiful smile. Eager to spend their lives together, they married in 1967. His career landed them in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Anchorage, Alaska before they later moved back to the Bay area. While still living in Alaska, Bob entertained Jo’s teenage brother, Herb, during the summer of 1969. Bob gave Herb some flying lessons and took him on some memorable flights over the wilderness as well as went on an extended canoe trip into the Kenai Peninsula. The two of them shared a special bond.

Bob and Jo raised three wonderful sons; Christopher, Tim, and Matthew. As a dad, he was very involved with his kids. Despite his busy schedule as a commercial pilot, he made time to coach some of their sports and encourage their creative minds. Over the years Bob taught them how to pan for gold as well as dabble in beekeeping. No matter what they set out to accomplish, they always had his support. Bob was good-natured and even-keeled in his role as a dad. He knew how to listen and offer his wisdom when needed as well as step back and let opportunities and lessons unfold for them. All in all, he was immensely proud of his boys and encouraged them through many of life’s challenges. These were very busy years for him and Jo, yet they savored them all the same.

Serious about his position as a professional pilot, Bob took advantage of many opportunities in his field. When Delta Airlines purchased Western Airlines, he continued his flying career with Delta, maneuvering routes around both the US and internationally. Toward the end of his career, he was flying Boeing 767s. After retiring at the age of 60 years old, Bob started flying a King Air Charter and was a flight instructor at Navajo Aviation.

In 2004, he and Jo settled in Jackson, California. They became active members of New Life Church where they met many friends and built a community of fellowship. Bob also enjoyed being a member of the Jackson area Lions Club. Anyone that met him enjoyed his quick-witted humor and endless stories! He enjoyed making people feel at ease which made for many lasting friendships during his retirement years.

Bob held many special pastimes over the years. He enjoyed running marathons, gardening, and working as a general contractor which included adding to his tool collection, as well as making jewelry from many of his special finds and treasures. His special nieces remember him taking them to pan for gold during their younger years and making keepsake pieces of jewelry for them to take home. A movie lover, he enjoyed spending time with family and watching films together. In his retirement years he published Tears of the Heart, a children's fairy tale based on the real story of Jo giving up a daughter for adoption and finding her 35 years later. Published in 2013, but developed in his imagination after finding Annette in 2001. He always wanted a daughter.

Committed to his family, Bob remained active in their lives. Even as his health began to decline in recent years, he faced each day with optimism. Sadly, he is gone, yet his memories will surely endure in the hearts of the countless lives he touched over the years, especially those of his loving family.

Robert (Bob) M. Frick of Jackson, CA, died Friday, May 13, 2022, after an extended battle with dementia. His family includes his loving wife of 54 years, Jo; his three sons and their partners, Chris Frick and Brittney Thompson of Sacramento, Tim Frick and Angela Mazziotta of Portland, OR, and Matthew and Adri Frick of Martinez, CA; his brothers in law, John Swisher III of Ann Arbor, MI and Herb Ayres and his wife, Elizabeth Hartman, of Kalamazoo, MI; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the New Life Church in Jackson at 10:00 a.m. Memorial gifts for those that desire can be made to Hospice of Amador and Calaveras Counties.