Bill Gamboe (Lieutenant, USAF) died November 12, 1971 in the crash of an Air Force C-130, "Hercules" aircraft. Though Bill was a pilot, he was not at the controls that flight. Bill was also a newly-wed, 3 days later would have been his "6 month Anniversary", to Carolyn Skipwith, May 15, 1971.
I vividly remember being with Bill the day he took his very first plane flight in an old "L-5" observation aircraft from Bowman Field one summer while at WHS. His "excitement", as well as his "unique de-briefing" of the experience.
For me, it has been very rare to find a man or woman as good as Bill Gamboe. His friendship, ethics, humor & enthusiam for life & the future. While hopefully most of us will be fortunate enough to make it to September, 2016, Bill will remain, in my thoughts, at the age of 23, "Forever Young".
Bill - I love you brother - we miss you - God Speed "Big B"!
Bill Gamboe was a really cool, introspective but outgoing, deep, yet very funny guy. He actually did what I wanted to do. I found out at the end of my freshman year at U of L that I would not be an Air Force pilot. Bill was the only one I knew who fulfulled that dream. Weeks after we graduated my Dad began his career as a Navy Chaplain. My mother, brother and sister moved to San Francisco and my Dad did two tours with the 3rd Marines 1st Batallion in Viet Nam. The last thing I did as a AFROTC cadet was hitch-hike to Wright Patterson and catch a hop to Travis AFB. Bill hitch hiked out to San Francisco and staid with me at my folks' place for several days. This was the "Summer of Love" 1967, San Francisco. I remember we went to Golden Gate Park. On Tuesday afternoon the San Francisco Chronicle sponsored concerts. Bill and I got to see Jimi Hendrix.
Chuck Wingo told me about the C130 crash that took Bill's life. I do think about Bill very often. Both Chuck and I took up hitch-hiking in earnest following Bill's quest- sometimes together, but mostly alone. Mr. Wingo, Chuck's dad got Bill a job at Brown and Williamson, but Bill soon quit and said he wanted to "find himself." I know he has.
Bob Kehrer
Miss you Bill. Our trip hitchhiking across the country, changed my life. Good times.
Chuck Wingo
Bill Gamboe (Lieutenant, USAF) died November 12, 1971 in the crash of an Air Force C-130, "Hercules" aircraft. Though Bill was a pilot, he was not at the controls that flight. Bill was also a newly-wed, 3 days later would have been his "6 month Anniversary", to Carolyn Skipwith, May 15, 1971.
I vividly remember being with Bill the day he took his very first plane flight in an old "L-5" observation aircraft from Bowman Field one summer while at WHS. His "excitement", as well as his "unique de-briefing" of the experience.
For me, it has been very rare to find a man or woman as good as Bill Gamboe. His friendship, ethics, humor & enthusiam for life & the future. While hopefully most of us will be fortunate enough to make it to September, 2016, Bill will remain, in my thoughts, at the age of 23, "Forever Young".
Bill - I love you brother - we miss you - God Speed "Big B"!
"Aim High!" "Go Blue!"
Richard Rogers
Bill Gamboe was a really cool, introspective but outgoing, deep, yet very funny guy. He actually did what I wanted to do. I found out at the end of my freshman year at U of L that I would not be an Air Force pilot. Bill was the only one I knew who fulfulled that dream. Weeks after we graduated my Dad began his career as a Navy Chaplain. My mother, brother and sister moved to San Francisco and my Dad did two tours with the 3rd Marines 1st Batallion in Viet Nam. The last thing I did as a AFROTC cadet was hitch-hike to Wright Patterson and catch a hop to Travis AFB. Bill hitch hiked out to San Francisco and staid with me at my folks' place for several days. This was the "Summer of Love" 1967, San Francisco. I remember we went to Golden Gate Park. On Tuesday afternoon the San Francisco Chronicle sponsored concerts. Bill and I got to see Jimi Hendrix.
Chuck Wingo told me about the C130 crash that took Bill's life. I do think about Bill very often. Both Chuck and I took up hitch-hiking in earnest following Bill's quest- sometimes together, but mostly alone. Mr. Wingo, Chuck's dad got Bill a job at Brown and Williamson, but Bill soon quit and said he wanted to "find himself." I know he has.