Bob Judy was a fascinating and engaging individual attracted to local aviation circles. His profession was barbering and when flying money was needed Judy offered haircuts for other air field personnel, setting up a temporary site in an empty hangar. He had become a pilot but apparently other interests proved more exciting. Bob turned his attention to motorcycles and he was an active and eager participant in the sport of motorcycle hill climbing.
Judy is remembered for practicing his hill climbing techniques aboard his special climbing machine, as he used the northeast end of the Cumberland Airport to perfect his craft. The steep bank at the end of runway 24 was an ideal location for this practice. Once he reached the top so quickly that both he and the cycle became airborne traversing several feet through the air. The ensuing crash on the hard shale at the top of the bank damaged the motorcycle but Judy suffered only scratches and bruises. Undaunted, he participated in rough and tumble motorcycle hill climbing events, traveling over the eastern United States.
In the local area were a small group of individuals that became interested in parachuting. This became Bob Judy’s next attraction and thrill seeking endeavor. The group would avoid local airport traffic by departing the Cumberland Municipal Airport, proceed southwest in their jump plane, and would parachute into a cleared area adjacent to WV Route 28 which is now the site of the Hunt Club Plaza and surrounding residential area. Bob jumped at every opportunity and soon began parachuting professionally at public gatherings, picnics, and air shows. He would dress as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny at special holiday commercial promotions. Judy then enlisted the services of ‘Rebel’, his pet German Shepherd dog, by constructing a special parachute for the canine friend. Local pilots, eager for any opportunity to fly, would pilot Judy’s Stinson 108 Station Wagon aloft carrying Bob and Rebel to the jump site. Judy would answer queries about his parachuting dog by stating, “Rebel just loves to jump”. However, pilots who flew the human and animal related that Rebel did not want to leave the aircraft and would, at jump time, growl and attempt to bite anything solid and attempt to hold on to anything in an effort to remain in the Stinson’s cabin. After several jumps the pilot’s leather seat back was destroyed by Rebel’s efforts to remain inside the aircraft. ‘Jumping Bob Judy’, as he became known would usually simply throw Rebel out just prior to leaving the aircraft himself.
Near tragedy for Bob and Rebel occurred when the Stinson’s Franklin engine stopped shortly after taking off from a farm field near the Blue Bridge along the South Branch of the Potomac River. The Stinson came down in the river but nearby pleasure boaters quickly rescued both Judy and Rebel. Bob continued to jump professionally using a Piper Tri-Pacer owned by Bill Yoder and from other owners that granted Judy a jumping platform. Rebel died, unfortunately, not from parachuting but from poisoning, and Bob Judy, who died in the late 1980’s, passed into obscurity.
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Wings Over Cumberland 