Robert F. Six, founder and leader of Continental Airlines from 1936-1980, transformed it from a one-route "puddle-jumper" into one of the world's major airlines. He is credited with dramatically expanding air travel by introducing lower airfares. Through his efforts, airlines became an accessible and affordable form of travel for the mass public.
After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, Six felt the loss of the young president keenly and made a significant contribution toward establishing the John F. Kennedy Library. Mrs. Kennedy was moved by the generosity of it to take the time to respond in a personalized fashion.
Typed Letter Signed on her personal letterhead, May 7, 1964, to Six, who was then President of Continental. “Stephen Smith has just advised me of your extremely generous contribution and pledge to the President’s Library, and it is with my deepest appreciation that I write to thank you for your generosity. The President often expressed his hope that some day a Library might be built, and he had planned on devoting much of his future time to such a project. Now we must do that for him, and I can assure you that it will be the finest President’s Library ever. The Library will serve as a perpetual memorial to him, and the support of Continental Air Lines will help tremendously in making our goal a reality.”
Perhaps inspired by this letter, Six became even more deeply involved in the effort to establish the Kennedy Library, by late 1964 becoming its California fundraising chairman. Stephen Smith was Kennedy’s brother-in-law.