A Tribute To WWII Plane Crash Victim Robert Riddell

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT—Robert Riddell woke up Monday thrilled to have the chance to fly in a B-17 Flying Fortress and said he hoped the weather would cooperate. On Wednesday night, his daughter told reporters that her father's "time of suffering is over from this crash."

Riddell, 59, was one of the seven people who died in the crash of the vintage World War II bomber at Bradley International Airport Wednesday morning.

Riddell was one of the 13 aboard the craft. There were passengers and three crew. Six survived; some remained in critical condition Thursday.

Riddell was a married father and grandfather who lived in East Granby, according to his Facebook profile. He was an analyst at The Hartford and originally from Colchester. His passion was World War II history. He traveled to Pearl Harbor, re-built a Jeep as a young man and had plans to travel to Normandy for his 60th birthday.

Riddell's family said through their grief that he died "doing something that was really near to him."

On Monday, Riddell took to Facebook to share his excitement over having the opportunity to fly in a B-17 bomber, which was instrumental in the Allied bombing campaign in Europe during the war. He hoped for good weather.

Wednesday morning, he posted a photograph of the plane he was about to board. He was asked, "I thought it was tomorrow?" His reply: "Got switched. Just about ready to take off now...Here we go!"

Riddell took one last photograph before takeoff: "Taxiing...(not much of a view from the seats )"

Riddell was a big Aerosmith fan. He was a beloved family man. And one of his greatest loves was honoring those who gave their lives, who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and in particular, he hoped to honor "all those who served." And he did so on Memorial Day often seen in the Granby and other communities Memorial Day parades riding in the WWII Jeep he rebuilt as a teen, his family told local news.

In a comment on his Facebook from five years ago a friend wrote, "I agree Rob: Driving a vet in the parade is one of my annual highlights. I had a WWII Vet in Avon and a Vietnam Vet in Simsbury. Interesting to talk to him since I am a Vietnam era vet."

Connecticut filmmaker David Gere, a family member, wrote on his Facebook:

"We lost a family member to the horrific plane crash at Bradley Airport. Rob was a really great guy who loved his family above all. I am incredibly sad for my cousins - his children who lost their father - and his wife. My condolences to the families of the other six victims. Sending hope to those who were injured and God Bless the first responders who took heroic measures to save lives. Please pray for those lost and those still fighting to live."

Riddell's wife Debra and his family waited Wednesday evening to hear from the medical examiner after learning that all the survivors had been identified.

"Rob was not one of them," she wrote on Facebook. "Rob was the best person I’ve ever known. He was my soul mate I will miss him beyond words can ever express. He loved his children more than anyone could know and the new grandson was the apple of his eye. He embraced my daughter and grandchildren and loved them as his own."

"He was brilliant, loving, funny, reliable, compassionate and the best man I’ve ever known. The world lost an amazing person today.

"My heart goes out to the other people that lost loved ones but especially the people who survived this crash. Thank you for your support and love."

Here is Robert Riddell's obituary from Carmon Windsor Funeral Home:

Robert G. Riddell, 59, of East Granby, beloved husband of Debra A. (Chamberland) Riddell, passed away tragically on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at Bradley International Airport. Born in Middletown on April 2, 1960, son of the late Robert James and Joann Mae (Boson) Riddell, he was raised in Colchester and was a graduate of Bacon Academy, Class of 1978. While growing up in Colchester, Rob served as a volunteer with the Colchester Hayward Junior Fire Department from 1975-1978. After high school, Robert continued his education at the Morse School of Business where he studied accounting and graduated in 1983. Rob started his career at The Hartford Insurance Company and would have celebrated 36 years with the company on October 3rd. Throughout his career he worked in several departments and most recently had served as a senior business analyst for reinsurance IT. A World War II history buff, he was 17 years old when he and his father purchased and began restoration of a 1942 Ford GPW Jeep. He spent many years restoring the Jeep and attending car shows. Over the last several decades, Rob provided rides to World War II veterans in his Jeep for Simsbury, Tariffville, and Granby parades. He was a member of the Connecticut Military Vehicles Collectors, serving as secretary in 2005 and the Valley Collector Car Club serving as treasurer from 2007-2010. He enjoyed working with his hands and there wasn't anything he couldn't do or fix. He was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. He was known for his quick wit, warm smile, calm nature, intelligence, bear hugs, selflessness, love of life, and love for his family. He was always there for his family, co-workers, and friends, and he was an excellent listener and always offered sound advice. Music was a large part of his life. He enjoyed attending concerts, the most recent, Aerosmith Deuces are Wild. His love of music was passed down to his son Bryan who enjoyed attending concerts with his father. He shared a love of Disney with his daughter Rebecca and was looking forward to experiencing the thrill of attending Walt Disney World in April for his grandson Zachary's second birthday. The birth of his first grandchild, Zachary Robert gave him so much joy. The project he was most recently working on was restoring a vintage Jeep pedal-push car to be a mirror image of Pop Pop's 1942 GPW. Rob's greatest regret would be that Zack will never know his grandfather. Rob and Deb met as soul mates in 2011 and married in 2015 and were about to celebrate their 4th wedding anniversary on October 18th. They built a marriage that was filled with love, respect, and happiness – that they both knew would last forever. Two people couldn't be any more compatible. They were best friends and what they called an "effective team." They enjoyed working on home projects together and camping in their travel trailer. They looked forward to their retirement in North Carolina where they purchased 10 acres at the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. He warmly welcomed his stepdaughter Jessica and step-grandchildren, Alyssa and Sophia, all of whom will miss him tremendously. Rob loved spending good quality time with his brothers Gary and Jim, especially going to the Yard Goats games during the summer. Rob's English Springer Spaniels, Molly and Brooke will miss him terribly; he loved the dogs as much as they loved him. Rob's bucket list wasn't long but very near and dear to his heart. He had the opportunity to experience the Total Solar Eclipse in 2017 – something that profoundly touched his soul. In 2015, Rob and Deb spent part of their honeymoon paying their respects at Pearl Harbor – another profoundly moving experience. A trip to Normandy, the biggest on his bucket list was planned for his 60th birthday next year. Unfortunately, a ride on the B-17 Nine O Nine Flying Fortress was the last item he was able to check off his list. His family plans to complete the trip to Normandy in his memory in 2020. He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son, grandfather, friend, co-worker, and overall human being. Anyone who met him immediately liked him. Besides his loving wife Debra, he leaves a daughter, Rebecca L. Lantzman and her husband Adam of Riverview, FL; a son, Bryan W. Riddell of Temecula, CA; his former spouse and the mother of his children, Melissa Riddell of Simsbury; a grandson, Zachary Robert Lantzman; two brothers, Gary Riddell of Colchester and James Riddell and his wife Sharon of Lebanon; a niece, Regina Riddell of Lebanon; a stepdaughter, Jessica Darling of Fairfield; and two step-granddaughters, Alyssa Mirizzi and Sophia Fazio both of Fairfield. His family will receive friends on Friday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 6:30 p.m., at The Lodge Community Chapel, 130 Deerfield Rd., Windsor. Memorial donations may be made to the Colchester Federated Church, 60 South Main St., Colchester, CT 06415. Carmon Windsor Funeral Home has care of the arrangements.

For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.

You will be in our hearts forever. We all love you and you will be missed by many.

Tim Jensen/Patch contributed to the original story.