Captain Robert Oliver Daniel ROD) Sullivan was born in Hannibal, MO, about 1893. He had one child, ROD Sullivan, Jr., born about 1928. ROD joined the US Navy, where he learned to fly. (Flight training believed to have taken place in CA.) Following discharge from the US Navy, he joined Pan-American Airways in FL.
About 1932 ROD made his first purchase of property in Lee County, North Carolina. This property was located by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, about 10 miles north of Sanford, in the community known as Olives Siding. Over the years he continued to purchase property, acquiring approximately 800 acres. This property was referred to as Sullivan's Ranch. There was neither electricity, telephone, nor paved roads in this area until the early 1940's. Sullivan had a 'Windcharger' electrical power system for his home. After proving the feasibility of commercial aviation, and becoming Pan-Am's senior Trans-Atlantic pilot, Sullivan commuted by train from NY, his home port, to his ranch in NC, for rest and relaxation.
He was First Officer on the China Clipper that first transported US airmail to Manila, departing Alemeda, CA, November 22, 1935. A Republican, he was active in civic affairs in his adopted county of Lee. A Republican, he was not one who sought publicity yet he was sought by the local paper (The Sanford Herald) for interviews and by civic clubs for speaking engagements.
His career as a commercial pilot ended with the crash of Pan-Am's Yankee Clipper (Boeing B-314, Registry: NC18603) in Lisbon Portugal, February 22, 1943. Although he suffered only minor injuries, there were 24 fatalities among the 39 persons aboard. Jane Froman, noted vocalist, although with critical injuries, was one of the survivors. She was enroute to entertain US troops in Europe. Pan-Am noted that Sullivan's accident was the first in Pan-Am's Transatlantic service. Sullivan had made approximately 150 Atlantic crossings and 55 Transpacific crossings, having logged more than 15,000 hours flying time.
Sullivan was a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve and former chief aviation pilot for the Navy. He returned to his home in NC and, following WWII, established ROD Sullivan, Inc., a multi-location electrical parts supplier. He died July, 1955 in the office of his Wilmington, NC business. As of 1999, ROD Sullivan Inc., continued in business, and is operated by descendants of those he chose as his partners.
There are numerous books which mention ROD Sullivan. One subject under which he is listed is "Flying Boats." My book favorite is "An American Saga: Juan Trippe and His Pan Am Empire." by Robert Daley. Published by Random House, this book is well indexed and noted.
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