“The Meaning of Your Communication is the Response You Get.”
The mission of the San Diego Air & Space Museum is to preserve significant artifacts of air and space history and technology; to inspire excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; to educate the public about the historical and social significance of air and space technology and its future promise as a pathway to advanced innovations; and to celebrate aviation and space flight history and technology. The San Diego Air & Space Museum, one of the world’s premier air and space-themed science centers and museums, inspires our next greatest generations to achieve excellence in their lives by challenging their innate human pioneering spirt and encouraging the necessary risk-taking required to achieve global innovation success. Robert Odelson is the Docent Lead for the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
#1 Robert Odelson grew up in Chicago, Illinois. My father was One of the Greatest Generation – he survived WWII and landed on Omaha Beach at D-day + 6. He landed with 120 men and by the time he got to Germany, there were only 6 men left from that 120.
#2 My favorite travel destination is Missoula, Montana to visit my sister-in-law. I would like to visit Japan. My brother-in-law just came back from there and said, “You have to do this.”
#3 As a hobby, I test drive cars.
#4 My favorite movie is the original “Bladerunner”.
#5 I recommend reading “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir. They are making a movie of it, and I cannot wait to see it.
#6 Robert Odelson have a Keeshond named Riley. The breed is originally from Holland and was bred to chase rats off barges.
#7 It is on my bucket list to get a flight in a tandem Blue Angel.
#8 Jim Dalby, a neighbor of mine, was one of the original airplane volunteers at the museum and helped build and fly the Curtis Bi-plane Seaplane. When he died, I came to his service at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and thought this would be a good place to volunteer after retiring from Kaiser.
#9 Since I never served in the military, I felt it was my duty to give back my time to some causes that needed extra help.
#10 This year’s International Air & Space “Hall of Fame Legends of Flight Gala, will benefit the Museum’s youth education programs. We are proud to honor: the Goodyear Blimp, celebrating 100 years as an icon in the skies above countless cultural and historic events; Pete Bunce, former President & CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association; “Flight of the Grumman Cats” – legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman; and Jack Pelton, Chairman and CEO of EAA and a leader throughout the aviation community for decades, plus a few other surprises!
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Hall of Fame Legends of Flight Gala
November 8, 2025
San Diego Air & Space Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza
Balboa Park
