AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) Bob Beabout’s life has been defined by two passions: flying and serving his country.
His passion for flying began in 1939, when at 4-years-old, he sat on his father’s lap during his very first airplane ride.
“I had my first airplane ride when I was four years old,” Beabout recalled. “From then on, all I thought about was flying.”
That childhood dream led him into the military and more than one branch of service.
“I was in the Marine Corps first,” he told local affiliate FOX31. “I went to pilot training, and they put me in the Navy because I was a cadet. When I finally finished pilot training and got my wings and was commissioned, I went back in the Marine Corps. Then I went to the Air Force and got recalled to the Air Force about three times,” he said.
In the late 1960s, Beabout served as a pilot in Vietnam, behind the controls of an F-100. He still keeps his old medals and the diary he carried in-country. Its pages detail his daily experiencesincluding notes on combat strategies.
When his military service ended, he kept flying. He spent decades as a commercial airline pilot for Continental and United Airlines. He also joined the Civil Air Patrol, piloting search and rescue missions.
At 90 years old, Beabout may no longer be behind the controls of an aircraft, but his legacy still inspires. His longtime friends, Charlene and Donald Heitman, nominated him to be FOX31’s Serving Those Who Serve Hero of the Month for Aug. 2025.
“Very nice man,” said Charlene.
Donald chimmed in about Beabout and his time serving the county.
“If there’s ever been a military hero, there he sits,” Donald said, pointing to Beabout.
Beabout’s family has long considered him a hero, including his granddaughter, Cheyenne Smith, who talks about his legacy and the pride he has for serving his country.
“He truly embodies the American spirit and what it means to be a veteran. He lives and breathes for our country,” Smith said.
The thought of Beabout being a hero while serving his country doesn’t stop there, as his daughter Leigh Ann Biggers adds that he is a hero at home, too.
“He’s been such an amazing father and role model,” Biggers said.
Beabout tells FOX31 that he still loves airplanes, and if he could, he said he’d still be flying them to this day.
“I don’t know though. I don’t even drive a car now,” he said.
To nominate a veteran or active-duty service member for our Hero of the Month honors, visit the nomination page.
