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PROFILE <br />
Among one of his favorite<br />
assignments was flying geologists<br />
in Greenland where they were<br />
conducting mineral surveys. At the<br />
time, he and his crew lived on an<br />
ancient wooden boat which early<br />
explorers used.<br />
“I also flew geologists in Nigeria.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y were doing survey work to<br />
design and plan the new capital<br />
city in the Federal Territory. <strong>The</strong><br />
new capital is called Abuja, which is<br />
located in the geographical center of<br />
the country, uniting the different<br />
tribes that make up the area’s<br />
population,” he says.<br />
Off and on Robert Holly spent<br />
nearly 30 years working in<br />
Nigeria. At 65, local laws forced<br />
him to retire. However, he wasn’t<br />
ready to hang up his flying suit.<br />
“When I started my career, many<br />
pilots had to retire at 55. But we<br />
all get medically evaluated every<br />
six months. As long as you’re<br />
healthy and still enjoy what you<br />
do, I don’t think you should be<br />
forced out of your job,” he says.<br />
“<br />
As long as<br />
you’re healthy and<br />
still enjoy what<br />
you do, I don’t<br />
think you should<br />
be forced out of<br />
your job<br />
”<br />
<strong>The</strong> U.S. Navy was searching<br />
for contractors and signed my<br />
Dad. With more than 22,000<br />
hours in the air, high security<br />
clearance and experience<br />
in flying this type of Puma<br />
helicopter, he was a perfect fit.<br />
<strong>The</strong> work is hard. <strong>The</strong> hours<br />
are long and yet Dad calls it<br />
his perfect retirement job.<br />
“It’s great to be needed and<br />
challenged,” he says.<br />
At the same time my Dad<br />
is aware that he is truly<br />
fortunate to be healthy<br />
enough to work at such a<br />
demanding job. He has a<br />
lot of support from his wife<br />
and family during the long<br />
months he’s out at sea.<br />
But a lot comes down to good<br />
genes as well.<br />
Dad feels that retirement is a<br />
very individual choice.<br />
“It really depends on your<br />
health. And by that I mean<br />
both your physical and mental<br />
health. Working longer isn’t<br />
for everyone. But it was the<br />
right thing for me,” he says<br />
THE FREEBIRD TIMES – ISSUE NO. 3, AUGUST 2018<br />
15
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