Getting to Know the Kingdom Man of the Month for September: Bob Fildes
I was born in Lexington, Kentucky and remained there until my Dad, who went back into the Army when I was 9, was sent to the Panama Canal Zone when I was in the 10th grade. I graduated from Balboa High School, Panama CZ in 1966. I traveled extensively throughout Central and South America with my Dad. After graduating in 1966, my mom, dad, two sisters (both younger) and I drove from Panama to Kentucky. That was quite a road trip! I attended the University of Kentucky for a year. I had a good time and lousy grades so I joined the Air Force before I was drafted. The Air Force was good to me, taught me a profession (air traffic controller) and allowed me to grow up with a safety net. I also learned to fly, my life long passion. To understand what flying means to me, and to most pilots in my opinion, read "High Flight", a poem written by John Gillespie Magee Jr. I have it mounted on a plaque on a wall in my house.
My flight instructor's wife had a baby sister that she wanted me to meet. I did and Carol and I have been married for 38 years. We have one daughter, Christie, who is currently studying for her CPA After the Air Force, I was worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller for several years ending up here in Orlando at Orlando International Airport. I obtain a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach in 1977. Since 1982, I have worked in sales for various electronic components manufacturers in various capacities from field engineer to regional sales manager. I traveled extensively, with several trips to the Far East to visit our plants and customers. Carol was able to travel with me on several of these trips. I currently work for EDX Electronics in Winter Springs as a Sr. Territory Manager and am happy not to have to travel much anymore.
I came to UPC through an invitation from my daughter in 1998. It was the first church I had ever been in that played contemporary Christian Music. My religious background was as a Baptist so it was quite a change. I have loved UPC ever since. I was elected a Deacon in 2002 and feel very compelled to serve UPC in anyway I can. God has given me some abilities that I am happy to use to serve Him. He has watched over me my entire life. In 1983, I had to crash land an airplane. He took care of me much better than I took care of the airplane. I was able to walk away from the broken plane without a scratch. I truly know the meaning of the phrase "God is my copilot".
I am very much involved in sports, both as a spectator and a participant. I have coached and played softball for UPC since 1998(we took off 2 years from 2008-2010, temporarily retiring as champions with a perfect season). But my sports passion is University of Kentucky basketball (GO BIG BLUE!). I currently coach one of the UPC men's basketball teams. I played basketball in organized leagues since 4th grade. I am a member of the Central Florida University of Kentucky Alumni Association and have been for many years. I have been an Atlanta Braves fan for over 50 years. Carol often says the only reason I dated her was so I could come to Atlanta where she lived and go to Braves games together.
Other than the Bible & your wife, if you were caught stranded on an island, what two things would you want to have with you? Why?
A satellite ready cell phone with a fresh battery to get me off the island and a solar powered TV with satellite receiver in case it takes some time to rescue me.... OR... duct tape and WD40, duct tape to hold things together that are supposed to be together and are not, and WD40 to use on things that are stuck together and shouldn't be (I always wanted to answer that question that way).
If you had the choice to sit courtside at a basketball game or sit 5 rows up on the 50 yard line at a football game, what would you choose? Why?
Easy. Basketball seats. Why...I am from Kentucky. My high school did not even have a football team. But in 1965, we won the state basketball championship. I believe basketball players are the best performing athletes in the world.
If you could choose any baseball player (past or present) to be on your team, who would you choose? Why?
Henry Aaron. Hank was the most consistent hitter in history. He had power, speed and a great throwing arm. He was a black man playing in a sport that had very few black players playing when he made it to the big leagues. And it was a big deal in the 1950s. Throughout all of the turmoil of the 1950s and 60s, Hank maintained his cool and became the greatest homerun hitter in history, in my opinion. I was fortunate enough to be a seat mate with Henry on an airplane trip from Atlanta to Pittsburgh in 1998. He was everything I expected him to be, gracious, thoughtful and with the biggest forearms I have ever seen on a man his size. There are several other Braves players I would want on my team, Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews, Dale Murphy, Tom Glavin, John Smoltz to name a few. But Henry Aaron would be my first choice.