Robert F. Pavey was born in 1928 in Vernal, Utah. His parents, Oscar and Edna, moved the family to Indiana when Bob was very young. Bob attended Broadripple High School. Upon graduation he entered the Naval Air Force where he navigated lighter-than-air blimps and trained as a photographer at the Navy’s photography school at NAS Pensacola. He subsequently worked in the Navy Photographic Section and did much of his work at NAS Pensacola and at the Navy’s lighter than air station at NAS Santa Ana.

During World War II he patrolled the South Eastern and Pacific Coasts. Bob married Evelyn (Edie) in 1952 and had one son, Alan. In 1956 the family moved to San Diego and has resided in La Jolla for 40 years.

Pavey piloted his own Piper Clipper plane and also enjoyed sailing and power boating. In 1976, he was Commodore at South Western Yacht Club, and later continued as Staff Commodore. He was also a member of the La Jolla Businessmen's Club. Robert F. Pavey died on September 17, 2012.