Carl R. Fisherkeller

"OH! I HAVE SLIPPED THE SURTLY BONDS OF EARTH AND DANCED THE SKIES ON LAUGHTER-SILVERED WINGS…" Carl Robert Fisherkeller, 94, captained his last flight as he pulled the nose up and put away the landing gear leaving Stratford Court in Palm Harbor Florida to God's Place. Departure was 6:00 pm December 28, 2017. As an aviator he flew everything from Steerman biplanes thru 727 jets. The passions of his life were God, his family, his country and flight. Born January 21, 1923 in Springfield Ill of Carl A. and Beatrice Baum Fisherkeller he was the oldest of six siblings. Bob joins Dorothy, Jack, Larry, and Jean. Sister Betty lives in Jacksonville, Ill. A Graduate of Springfield HS 1940 it appeared he was going to be a bandleader as he loved music and played saxophone and clarinet. Like so many of the greatest generation, WWII changed his plans. He enlisted in the Navy and became a flight instructor at Pensacola Florida. A pilot's pilot, he helped many to get their wings. Later he flew the Berlin Airlift. He met a dim-pled beautiful small town Franklinton NC girl in Atlanta during the war. Geraldine, the love of his life, left September 30, 2015. They shared 70 years of marriage and had three children, Bob Wil-son in Springfield MO, JoAnn Pompeii in Safety Harbor, Fl and Mark Fisherkeller in Willington Ct. Bob was a devote Catholic who practiced his faith daily and taught by example. He was gener-ous and gave freely to his church, those in need and those that asked. He opened his home to needy pilots and strangers became family and friends. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and the Soaring Eagles. A patriot, proud of his military service, he continued flying in the Navy reserves to retirement as commander and squadron leader. He had a long career as a aviator during the golden age of flight before romance with the air gave way to buses in air. He started with All American Airways that became Allegheny Airlines which ultimately became USAir. He and Geri long lived in Pittsburgh Pa. In retirement they lived in Sarasota and enjoyed the easy social life of Bird Key Yacht Club. He traded his horizontal air-foils for vertical ones, sailing the Mama Fish in the Gulf, eastern seaboard, and New England. He loved music and singing. Geri and he were always a thing of beauty on the dance floor. He was a passionate golfer and enjoyed bowling with friends into his 90's. Bob was the patriarch of the large Fisherkeller family, centered in Illinois and throughout the country. His great accomplishments are three children. Son Bob, ministerial servant to Kingdom Hall congregation, and wife Celeste. Grandchildren Robert, Joey, Christy, Mikie, Katie, Ryan and Connor. and nine great-grandchildren. Nurse practitioner daughter JoAnn and grandchildren Jesse, Jozi and four great-grandchildren. Physician son Mark and wife Karen and grandchildren Rachel and Will. We as a family will miss his smiling blue eyes, singing songs, laughter, love, kindness and gen-erosity. He is at peace and with the Lord. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 am, Friday morning, February 2, 2018 at St. Martha Catholic Church, 200 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236. Interment with military honors will be held 1:30 pm, Friday afternoon, February 2, 2018 at Sara-sota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida 34241.

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Carl R. Fisherkeller

January 21, 1923 - December 28, 2017