Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame Spotlight: Robert J. Dunahoe, Jr.
Robert J. Dunahoe, Jr.
Roanoke, Virginia • Inducted in 1990
Inducted in 1990, Robert J. Dunahoe, Jr. first soloed an aircraft in 1931. He engaged in many flying activities including barnstorming, charter flying, passenger hopping, student instruction, airplane sales and services, and aerial photography. In 1937, he became the first manager of Roanoke Municipal Airport. Under his leadership, the airport grew from a rural field to a prosperous, commercial airport with 24-hour service and daily coast-to-coast flights. He was named airport management consultant in the Airports Division of the Civil Aeronautics Administration in 1945. While in that post, he visited some 750 airports. In 1951, he resigned for health reasons, returning to Roanoke where he served as civilian supervisor of the Air Force Filter Center until 1955.
W.P. Hunter, Roanoke City Manager; John L. Wentworth, City of Roanoke Engineer; and R.J. Dunahoe, airport manager.
The photo above: This photograph was taken three days before the dedication and renaming of Roanoke Municipal Airport to Woodrum Field. The airport is receiving a final inspection, having just undergone a $400,000 multifaceted construction project as a WPA Certified National Defense Project. Shown here, from left to right are: A.M. Mayre, WPA district director and construction supervisor; W.P. Hunter, Roanoke City Manager; John L. Wentworth, City of Roanoke Engineer; and R.J. Dunahoe, airport manager. Photo courtesy: http://www.virginiaroom.org/digital/document/RAC14