Edwin David Bridges, pilot, tinkerer, airplane enthusiast, and devoted family man died peacefully November 9, 2024, at home in Los Altos. He was 103 ½ years old, and in his words, “ not too shabby”. Dave was telling jokes, on his iPad, and checking the weather by asking SIRI until a few days before his death.
Born in San Francisco in 1921, Dave was curious and mechanical since childhood. He was raised on Versailles Avenue in Alameda. He was on the Alameda High crew team, and when he reflected on that time he talked about how clear the estuaries and San Francisco Bay were back in the 1930’s.
He met his love on a trolley car in San Francisco. Eleanor Marie Garibaldi was – as he described her – a “darling” Italian girl who was 5’ 5” tall; Dave a 6’ 6” and a strikingly handsome guy. It was love at first sight; he never forgot that pillbox hat and seamed stockings she wore that day. However, Eleanor has a different “love at first sight story”, she remembers bumping into him in the halls of Alameda High School and knew then he was the “guy”.
Dave was the first non-Italian to marry into the extended 3rd generation Italian family, and he was a big hit; the family loved his charm and how happy Eleanor was. Family lore has his attempts at Italian to impress the family at a big dinner to be a bit of a disaster. He tried his Italian skills and asked Big Louie to “please pass the butter”- instead, he said, “please kiss my behind”. When the table burst into laughter Eleanor knew it was going to be okay. They wed in 1944 and were married for 58 years.
During the war, Dave was a flight instructor for Army Air Corps and, after being discharged, joined Pan American Airways (“the world’s most experienced airline’). He started out as a crewmember on a China Clipper B-314 “flying boat” and ended his career flying a Pan 747. He could navigate by the stars and flew over and around the world for 36 years. He is the last surviving Pan Am pilot with those credentials and at 100 years old was interviewed for The Pan Am Podcast episode #8. He was the talk of the town when, one year, he gave Eleanor a surprise wedding anniversary gift: dinner in Tahiti on an overnight Pan Am flight.
Dave and Eleanor left San Francisco for the Los Altos “sun” in 1952, when the apricot orchards made way for the new ranch-style homes. The backyard Doughboy Pool was a weekend hit with Eleanor’s family coming down from the city to escape the fog. Dave lived at 524 Distel Drive for 72 years; he was the last original homeowner on their street in Los Altos. Dave could rebuild a car engine and repair a TV or toaster. He was the neighborhood fix-it guy. His garage was filled with handmade remote-control wooden airplanes and electronic projects. He put a 707 Pan Am yoke cap into the steering wheel of his 1968 Oldsmobile Delta 88 “ luxury car” (You can imagine Eleanor telling him to slow down). After his retirement, he continued building and fixing things. He taught his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren how to whistle and make tunes from blowing over bottles.
Eleanor died in 2002, and sadly his treasured son, Danny passed away just 5 months ago, on June 18, 2024. Dave was ready to reunite with them and passed on Danny’s birthday.
Dave is survived by a family in awe of his strength, knowledge, whistling, and who groaned at his jokes. They include his 2 remaining children: Ross Bridges, Pamela Bridges (Gordy), and his devoted daughter-in-law, Val Bridges. He is loved by seven grandchildren, Blake (Nicole), Craig, Todd, Phoebe, Lily, Heather, and Haley and his adorable great grandchildren Kainoa, Leilani, and little Makoa, who at 3 ½ had the fame of being 100 years younger than his GG (great- grandpa).
Dave was lucky enough to have the loving extended family of Eni, Sione, and Naia Tangi. His longevity can certainly be attributed to the daily fresh squeezed orange juice, Tongan drinks, and Eni’s excellent care.
Thank you also to Sulan Wang, RN, the most compassionate Sutter Hospice of the Valley nurse, and Sara Wright PA and Eri Fukaya MD at Stanford Health Care. Thank you to Kara and Sakeasi who came to our rescue and cared for Dave.
In memory of Dave, tell a friend a corny joke and then tell the same joke to the same friend two days later, still chuckling. The joke should involve a blonde, a priest, a nun, or a doctor.
Rest in peace, Dad, you were loved by so many, your life and legacy remain with us all.