travel, cruise: Valor Tours- historical battlesite expeditions tours

TRIBUTES TO BOB REYNOLDS - passed away January 7th, 2021
(updated October 6, 2021)

John Shively, Bob Kozlowski and
Henry Bodden, who came from near and far to attend Dad's memorial service on June 6th.
All three are tour leaders for Valor Tours.

Can't tell you how many times I'm drawn to thoughts of your Dad over several trips that I got to know him. His knowledge of all things WW11 was exceeded only by his charm and character as a kind and warm human being. To watch him juggle the logistics and daily problems that arose during a tour he was leading, I was amazed that he never showed any stress or irritation to the tour members. Just handled the situation and pressed on.

I consider myself to be very lucky and fortunate to have spent time with him. During times of stress, I think about how Bob would have handled it, and act accordingly. Most times I get it right. He is one of a very few that I consider a mentor.

One day soon, I will hopefully see him again. This joyful thought far exceeds the sorrow I feel at his passing.

God bless you, Vicky,

Mike Hill

I too want to extend my condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father.

As you know my father was an an "Old Breed" veteran of The First Marine Division on Guadalcanal and The 2011 Valor Tour there with my Uncle Walt West will always standout in my memory. Thanks to Bob Reynolds these tours have given many family members of those veterans a chance to relive history. I am grateful for that.
B Although I never got the chance to meet your Father, my Uncle Walt, during a 2012 Tour of the UK airbases, had your Dad as his guide. This somehow resulted in Walt getting singularly invited to go with Bob to The Queen's dedication of "The Bomber Command Memorial" in London. I know those two former WWII Air Force veterans hit it off on that special tour. Attached is a picture from that tour that I have saved and my Uncle is on the far right.

As the Marines would say, "Bob Reynolds may you have fair winds and following seas". God Bless!
Sincerely,
David West

A rare gentleman man and what a contribution he has made in building up a strong team of individuals to carry on his determination to bring the realities of WW2 to the general public.

His first hand experience of conflict and easygoing manner made the whole experience unforgettable I"m sure you must all miss his presence so please accept my condolences from the UK during this sad time.
Doreen Sigvaldsen

Dear Vicky, May I offer my sincere condolences over the death of your father. I made a number of tours with Bob and learned to both like and admire him. Two particular times stand out. The first was when my late wife Anne and I visited your offices during a stay in San Francisco. We learned a lot about the work that goes into organising a tour and afterwards had a very pleasant lunch with Bob while you were still working hard in the office! The second was the 2006 Guadalcanal Tour. Bob had assembled a great bunch of travellers including some veterans of the conflict. The highlight was a ceremony at the Guadalcanal Memorial. A host of dignitaries attended. It was altogether a very moving event. Bob and Valor Tours did of course play a pivotal role in the establishment of the Memorial. It is a fitting tribute to the brave marines ,soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives on Guadalcanal. I was proud to be there in such distinguished company. During the course of the Tour I bought a Japanese water canteen in one of the villages. I didn't realise that I could not take it out of the island without first obtaining a whole host of permissions. Fortunately Bob used his diplomatic skills to persuade the Customs people at the airport to let me take it out. The canteen now occupies a prominent position in my little office here at home. A constant reminder of a great tour. Your father was a good and a great man. A true,courteous English gentleman. I will miss him. I was so pleased that he was able to attend the dedication of the Bomber Command Memorial in London. A long overdue Memorial I may say.
Yours sincerely, Brian Donaldson.

Vicky, I was very sorry to learn of your father's passing. My condolences to you and your family. Bob Reynolds made a large and valuable contribution when he established Valor Tours, making it possible for people to visit remote and difficult to get to places, which one knew only from mentions in old news reels or stories. And, he and the company helped to bring attention to, and preserve, many places of historic value. I learned much on the four tours which I've taken with Valor Tours, including from Bob when he participated in the 2nd of those four tours. May his soul rest in peace.
Brian Notzon

Once in a lifetime, if you are lucky you may cross paths with someone who will make an indelible impression on you.

I had met such a man who just passed away. His name was Bob Reynolds who was a WWII Veteran .Bob was a Brit and a RAF Lancaster Bomber Pilot. He came to the USA after the war and started a company called Valor Tours of Sausalito, California.

I had the distinct honor and privilege to go on eleven WWII tours escorted by this incredible man . He was so knowledgeable about so many battlefield sites.

Bob was responsible for saving the giant mortars on Corregidor as the Philippine government was going to sell them for scrap. He personally met with President Marcos and persuaded him that they were more valuable for future battlefield tours.

Bob was selected to be on a committee that raised the funds for all the monuments on Guadalcanal. Thanks to Bob they are there because of his efforts.

On tours thru the Solomon Islands he would always bring gifts for the native children.

On one of many tours of Normandy he made sure that we stopped at the cemeteries to pay respect. Not only at the American, but British and German as well.

On my last tour with Bob which was called Bomber Command that ended up in London. Bob was honored along with other RAF pilots by the Queen herself at the unveiling of their new monument.

Just being in the presence of this giant of a man was worth the price of admission.

I shall miss him and his wisdom.

I Salute you Sir.
Henry Vaccaro

I am sorry to learn of your father's death; thank you for the notice and the fascinating history of his life.

I thank you again for the wonderful private tour you arranged for my father and me to visit the sites in Papua New Guinea and Papua, Indonesia a few years ago. He was stationed in Lae and Hollandia (now Jayapura) where he flew C-47s. My father spoke highly of the trip often, until his death a few years ago. The year following our trip, I presented a slide show and talk of our trip at the annual reunion of his WW2 unit, the 317th Veterans Group. Everyone there found it quite interesting and special to see the images from today to compare to their memories of time spent there in their youth.

I wish you success in this year, and I am hoping the pandemic will soon be under control and we can all travel safely again!
Jeff Miller

I believe at some point, on Olympus' gold-girded slopes, there will be a place for Bob Reynolds. Hopefully near the man I revered most in all the world, my father (1899-1970). Both men personified what I consider the ever-more-rare paradigm of the true gentleman. After I suggested, then researched, Ironbottom Sound while working for Bob Ballard at WHOI, I came into contact with Bob Reynolds for the first time. He, in essence set everything in order for the Ballard expedition, and ultimately started me on a second career. I didn't get to go on the first expedition to Guadalcanal (1992), but quite a few years later, my wife discovered Bob's photographs in one of Ballard's publications and I then linked up with Bob and Valor Tours. That commenced (in 2006) at least six tours to the South Pacific, three with Valor Tours as a speaker, etc. During these three Valor Tour trips (one by mini cruise ship and two by air) I had the incredible luck to be with Bob for weeks! I have never known a more fascinating, warm-hearted and gentle man. He is forever high in my firmament of heroes. I cannot think of any association I have had, with professors, fellow naval officers, friends, peers and acquaintances which can match that with Bob Reynolds. Because of his introductions and recommendations, I was also able to turn my years of classroom teaching at the secondary school level---including courses on naval history---into speaking about WWII in the Pacific on cruise ships. When I reflect on the hours I spent with this great man, I can only feel that it could not have happened without him.
Fred Douglass

Fourteen years ago I contacted ValorTours in an effort to visit a small island in the Philippines where my uncle was KIA and buried in the first months of WWII. My family have been searching for his remains since he was killed in April of 1942. ValorTours got me to Corregidor and then via a banca I was able to go out to Caballo Island and search for his unmarked his grave. As a result of that visit, the United States Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency got involved and we believe his grave has finally been identified. Hopefully, with the help of DNA we will have an answer this year. As the years go by, I appreciate more and more how important that trip with ValorTours was. I am deeply grateful to ValorTours and Bob Reynolds for getting us to that point. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family and organization. His life was a life well lived!

Dr. Wesley Shoop

Dear Vicky,

I am so sorry to learn about the loss of Bob. I admired and respected him so much. What wonderful memories of our Solomons trip. It cant be topped. Nor could his humor. Our night at the "greatest movie theater in all of the Pacific" and Bob's comments will never be forgotten. Wish he could've traveled on more trips with us.

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Your are in the thoughts of Linda and me.

Take care,
Lois

A video tribute from John Shively .... click here

Vicki, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I never had the opportunity to meet your Dad but I sure heard a lot about him from John. I am the one holding the hat in the picture with Joe. My sincerest condolences always
Dean Armstrong

Hi Vicky:

So sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. The two attached photos were taken in August, 2006.
Bob and me in the restaurant on Gizo and Bob walking down the runway to the boarding area to fly back to Guadalcanal from Gizo.

My condolences to you. We lost a great man.

Sincerely,
Dennis Covert

Dear Vicky, your Dad was an example of what we all should aspire to emulate.

His history from flying Lancasters on many very dangerous missions over Germany in WW2 to having the vision of opening travel to the far flung islands of the Pacific war for future generations was incredibly impressive. In between all this he raised a family and imparted integrity and honor to all his endeavors. I traveled with him on some of his island tours and and later lectured with him on on Princess Cruises ' THEATER OF THE PACIFIC " cruises over a number of years . Celia accompanied me on these cruises and we both became very fond of him. His contribution to projects like getting the AMERICAN MEMORIAL on Guadalcanal constructed will remain a testament to his efforts to preserve history.

I still remember years ago the first time he talked to me about leading tours for Valor Tours - he told me you must always look very smart, dress well, exhibit good manners and know what you are talking about . I told him, for sure , I knew what I was talking about but I tended to end up soaked in sweat with dirty clothes due to the sites liketo take people to explore. He gave me a very " IFFY " look . I could never figure out how he could always look so cool and neat when it was 98 degrees w/ 100%- humidity - like he had just come from the dry cleaners when everyone else was soaked in sweat. I also remember when he came to the 509 Composite Group reunion and got together with Paul Tibbets and talked about dropping the A- Bomb - it was quite a discussion and sight to see those 2 together.

We share your grief over his loss but know his legacy will keep the light of his wonderful memory burning for you always. We salute the memory of a GREAT PATRIOT !

Sincerely , Andy and Celia

Hi Vicky,

Please accept Donna's and my own sympathy for the passing of your dad. He was a fine person to know, a true gentleman, and he led an active life that touched many others in a positive way.

Mike Hanlon

Vicky, my sadness in hearing of his passing is countered with the knowledge that he lived a full, active, and meaningful life. An outstanding example of an amazing generation that is missed more and more each day. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Thanks for working to keep his vision of heritage travel alive.

Kent

Dear Vicky:

I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I offer you and your family my sincere condolences.

When I was working on my WWII travel guide books, Bob was without doubt the most generous and helpful person I encountered in terms of sharing information and guidance. One of my great memories of those years of research was joining Bob on a Valor Tours trip through Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. I developed relationships on that trip that continue to this day. I have spoken of Bob often through the years and promoted Valor Tours whenever I could. He is a memorable figure and will always remain so.

Thank you for sharing this news, despite how sad it is.
Chuck Thompson

Vicky,

I am sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. My few experiences with him made him seem larger than life. He was a great storyteller and a pioneer in the travel business. Speaking as a fellow aviator....He has gone west and to a great reward....
john p

Vicky, I'm so sad to hear the news about your father's passing. My condolences. I will prey for him at mass tomorrow evening.
John Cordero

Vicky, you are so right that he had a long and fruitful life. I suspect he always did it his way. He was a special bonus and Personalized the Normandy tour I was I was on with him. I enjoyed his company in front of the fireplace with a cordial or wine.

He mesmerized the young American soldiers we met at the Normandy hotel with his tales of WW 2. A life well lived.
Jim Carletti

My condolences on the death of your father. Never met him but read your obit, and think him a very courageous and honorable man. He lived an extraordinary life.
Looking to continue working and traveling with your great company as soon as the situation allows.
Lee Terry
Huntington Beach

I'm so sorry to hear about Bob's passing. If I had known about his World War II experience I would have spent a lot of time with him on the one tour where I traveled with him and your mother. He did indeed have a very interesting and productive life.

My thoughts are with you as you deal with this loss.
Bill Wells

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