A life of service. A story of connection.
A lifetime of flying and the people who made it possible
“Delta 82, you are cleared for takeoff.”
Bob Snelling had heard those words a thousand times. On his final Delta flight from Paris to Atlanta, they carried the weight of thirty-one years of memories. As he advanced the throttles of a Boeing 777, he was also looking back on the people and experiences that had brought him to that moment.
Takeoff Power follows that wider journey. It begins long before the airline cockpit, with a young man from Western Pennsylvania, a high-school band room and a clarinet player named Paula. It moves through Navy service, a first solo flight over Pensacola, years with Delta and service in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Along the way, Bob reflects on adventure, responsibility and the people who share them. He recalls watching September 11 unfold from a hotel lobby in Brussels, an ocean away from Paula, and learning in public office how a community can work together through strong differences. Later, a slower pace brings a new appreciation for faith and the people who help carry us.
At its heart, this memoir is a thank-you to the communities that made Bob’s life possible, and an invitation to look more closely at your own. Every takeoff depends on people whose work, care and commitment we can easily overlook.
What readers are saying
“This book is worth reading because it reminds us that character matters, relationships matter, and a life devoted to others leaves a legacy that endures.”
Andre’ Kennebrew Director of Relationships, Lifeshape
About the author
Bob Snelling is a former Naval aviator and retired airline pilot, former Georgia State Representative, author and coach. Across aviation, public service and church life, he has spent decades learning, teaching and working in community.
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Signed Takeoff Power paperback · $12.99
Order a signed copyOne signed paperback: $12.99. U.S. shipping: $13.90 by USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope. Total: $26.89. Bob signs and ships your copy.