Home of Pan American World Airways Retired Pilots and Employees
1927-1991Remembering those who passed in 2013…
Hugh Edward McKeown, Born 12-17-1933, Passed away 11-30-2013. His family was by his side. Hugh was an Air Force Graduate and flew the B26 for the New York National Guard. He started with Pan Am in 1955. He was based in New York. His long career in aviation included flying as Captain on the 707 and the 747 with Pan Am and United, having transferred to United with the Pacific Division sale. Hugh will be missed by all who knew him.
Dave Stauffer died on Dec. 16 2013 at Pleasanton Ca
Stanley Anthony Roitz passed away suddenly and peacefully Sunday evening December 22nd. He was 80 years old. Stan was born in Trinidad, Colorado and attended Holy Trinity Elementary and High School. He also attended Trinidad Junior College. In 1954, he enlisted in the US Navy. Stan had the opportunity to fly for Pan American Airlines – his big dream. The family moved to New York, as Stan flew out of JFK.
Jim Crum passed away in December 2013.
Edwin Joseph Wright, 86, born on October 21, 1926, in St. Louis, MO, passed away February 1, 2013. He resided in La Quinta, CA with his wife of 63 years, Jacqueline Wright.
A life long love of model airplanes, time in the Navy under Captain Ball on a B314 Seaplane until 1946, an Aircraft and Engine License at Northrop School of Aviation, a short time with Douglas Aircraft and then on to Flying Tigers working in the Flight Controls shop followed by a season of crop dusting in Calexico in his much loved Stearman. In 1955, the door opened for a chance to fly with Pan American Airways, he took it and never looked back, joining them as a Flight Engineer.
Jack W. Burke, longtime Pan Am pilot and resident of the Seattle area, passed away in Hospice care on Thurs., Dec. 5, 2013 at the Fleming House. He retired from Pan Am in 1982 after 40 years as an instructor, check pilot and Chief Pilot.
John Emmett Shanck, 86, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on December 17, 2013. John flew for Pan Am for 20 years, from 1955 until 1975, before medically retiring. He was a 707 captain flying out of JFK at retirement. He also flew for 20 years for the Air Force and Air National Guard. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, three daughters and eight grandchildren.
Thomas John Flanagan Sr. of Madison and Ridgefield, Conn has passed away at the age of 92. Tom, in his 45 years of service with Pan Am flew everything from Flying Boats to the 747 and rose to the executive position of Senior Vice President of operations.
Christopher “Kip” Darling Koss was born June 25, 1935 After his military service, Kip began his 27 year career with Pan American Airlines. By the time of his retirement, he had served as a 747 check pilot, training captain, and manager of flight operations.
William (Bill) Cabbott Lee DOB July 12, 1919 died Oct 21, 2013.
Donald Claire Williams, 82, loving husband of Lillian Ann Gresham Williams, died October 20, 2013. Born in Morris, Illinois. He was the son of the late Claire Samuel and Anita Helen Anna Geldreich Williams. Donald was a Captain for Pan American World Airlines. As a civilian pilot, he was asked by his country to evacuate civilians at the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. He also served in the US Air Force. He was of the Baptist faith.
James “Jim” Lee Barnette died October 7, 2013 at the Brentwood Assisted Living in Ocala, FL. He was born in South Charleston, WV April 15. He graduated from the University of West Virginia with double major of physics and mathematics. He was an pilot instructor in the USAF flying the C-130 aircraft and after his service flew for Pan American Airlines until his retirement.
James F. Keehan passed away at age 80 on Thursday, October 3, 2013 in Mtn. View, San Jose, CA. A native of Pittsburgh, PA. A veteran of the U.S Navy and Naval Reserves in Alameda, Jim was a commercial pilot for Pan American Airlines, followed by Delta Airlines, and then he retired after 29 years.
Capt. Warren Roberts passed away at his home in Caldwell, Idaho early Thursdaymorning of natural causes. He was born on July 18, 1920. He flew for Pan American World Airways for 37 years and retired in 1980. The funeral will be in Caldwell, Idaho on November 2,2013 at the Flahiff Funeral Home.
Tommy Jack Swaim -Nov 28, 1930-Sept 18, 2013. An intent listener, fascinating storyteller and quick-witted jokester, Tom was proud of and deeply loved his six children, nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren, each of whom filled him with great joy. As a Flight Engineer for Pan Am for 35 years, Tom flew millions of miles to every corner of the earth. It was during his career he met Susan, a flight attendant, who became the love of his life and his wife of nearly 37 years. Our lives will never be the same without Tom’s gentle kindness, soft-spoken guidance and heartfelt devotion.
Joseph W. Chopski of Boynton Beach, born on March 17 1922, died on April 27, 2013 from complications of dementia and a fractured hip. Joe flew 39 years for Pan Am.
PanAm Captain Bill Mitchell, USMC, died October 6, 2013 at his home in Montauk. He will be greatly missed.
Grady L. Williams passed away in Stockton, CA on July 7,2013. He loved to say that he flew for Pan Am for “39 years, 3 months and 15 days” wthout ever having a sick day. He dearly missed his wife, Dorothy, who died on Nov. 30, 2011. They were both avid Bridge Players. The Williams’ two daughters, Janet and Susan, along with four granddaughters, lived nearby so they enjoyed and helped each other.
CAPT Hendrik Rauwerdink (Henk) passed away at the age of 87 on July 8th in Carbondale, Co , his home for the last 14 years. Henk began his flying career with the Royal Dutch Air Force flying spitfires. He was hired by PAN AM in 1956 and flew for them for 30 years, retiring as a 747 Captain in New York. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 28 years, and his stepsons Robert, Douglas and Erik, their wives and 6 grandchildren. His wife and son Erik were at his side when he passed.
Daniel “Dan” Adams, 70, died August 22, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo., after a brief battle with cancer. He was born May 18, 1943, in Kansas City, Kan. After graduating from K-State in 1966, he served in the U.S. Navy as an A-7 pilot, flying missions over Vietnam. He was a highly decorated Navy pilot and continued to fly in civilian life, starting as a commercial pilot with National Airlines and later with Pan American World Airlines and United Airlines. Dan was proud to fly DC-10s and 747s internationally. He concluded his 35-year career with Air Atlantic, flying extensively in the Middle East. READ MORE>>>
PAA pilot Capt. Herbert G. Petty (Herb) passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 92 in August 2013. Herb was a pilot for Pan American Airways for thirty-nine years retiring at the age of 60 as an executive check captain. Herb started his career as fourth officer flying from San Francisco to Honolulu on the China Clipper that took off on the water from Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. Captain Petty was part of that truly pioneering epoch as a member of the flight crew on the fabled Pan Am Clippers.
Charles (Chuck) Appleton, captain, passed away at age 96 in August. He was healthy until just 11 days before his death.
William J. Donnelly, Jr. passed away on August 23, 2013 at the page of 77. He was born July 2, 1936. He was a PAA/DL retired pilot Captain William J. Donnelly Jr., USNR (ret.). Captain Donnelly hired on with Pan Am 03-28-1966 and retired with Delta Air Lines at the mandatory age 60 in 1996.
David Bruce Haman, 74, of Johns Island, husband of Edith Haman, passed away at home, after battling cancer, on Monday, August 19, 2013. From an early age, David was drawn to aviation. After attending Gettysburg College, he considered himself fortunate to be accepted by the US Navy as a fighter pilot. He continued his flying career for another 34 years with Pan American and Delta.
Masao Abe, 96, passed away on August 6, 2013. He was a PAA mechanic.
Captain William A. Stevens (b. 1934) passed away July 24, 2013 after a battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. After leaving the Air Force in May, 1960, Bill joined Southern Airways for 4 years before coming with Pan Am in July, 1964. After the doors closed December, 1991, Bill flew for Middle East Airlines & then for Connie Kalitta until his retirement. Much of his retirement years were spent as a volunteer with the New England Air Museum. He leaves behind his Australian wife Vivienne of 35 years, who he met in Pan Am’s Sydney sales office while based there, and two daughters.”
Captain David H. Quinn, Jr passed away on August 5, 2013. Raised in San Mateo and later the suburbs of Philadelphia, he was the son of a WWI Naval Aviator. Graduated Stanford University in 1953 with a degree in History and Geography, and a commission in the United States Air Force. He retired from the USAF-R in 1981 as a Lt Colonel, having flown T-33, U-3, C-97, C-119, C-47, and T-39 aircraft (among other duties).
Of course my father’s deepest career passion was his employ with Pan American.
Bernard Giere, age 74, of East Quogue, NY died July 31, 2013. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and joined the USAF in 1962. Mr. Giere served in Viet Nam as an F-4 Phantom pilot, and flew for Pan Am and Delta Airlines. He was in the New York Air National Guard as Air Commander for the 106th Air Rescue and Recovery Group, at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.
Capt Larry Hunsberger PAA/UAL (Ret) passed away peacefully on August 5, 2013. His family was by his side.
Richard Pierce “Dick” Joy passed away on June 28, 2013. He was employed as a flight engineer for Pan Am.
Bill Stevens passed away on July 23, 2013. More to follow.
PQ (Paul Quentin) Cotton passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2013 in Macon, GA where he had been living for over 20 years.
William (Bill) C. Dillon January 10th, 1924 July 1st, 2013, Bill was born in Tacoma, WA (then Custer Station), to Vincent and Margaret Dillon, both deceased. Bill joined the United States Air Force at age 19 and was stationed in England throughout WWII. He hired into Pan American World Airways as a flight engineer and flew out of New York from 1953-54, then Hong Kong from 55-60, then Berlin, Germany from 60-63 (while living in Salzburg, Austria), and then out of Seattle for the remainder of his career. Bill married his wife, Dicie Woodard on December 11th, 1954. They moved to Federal Way in 1965. Bill is survived by his wife, Dicie, son Matt and wife Karen, son Kelly and wife Julie, brother John Dillon, and sister Margaret Semon. Bill flew all over the world and when asked where his favorite place was he always answered “My home”. Bill will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by many.
Robert C. Davison passed away on July 2, 2013. He had been living in Clermont, FL and had been hospitalized for the previous 26 days.
Robert L. Johnson, 97 – December 13, 1915-June 22, 2013
Longtime resident of Miami, born in Hamilton, Ohio. Began his flying career crop dusting in Ohio. Came to Miami in 1942 as a pilot with Pan American Airways to fly the “B-314 Flying Boats” out of Dinner Key. He retired as Captain after 35 illustrious years with Pan Am during the “Glory Years” of air travel. Blessed with wonderful health, during his retirement years he and Ruth spent much time at their summer home in Canada and traveling the world. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Ruth, son David (Lori), grandson Logan and nephew Vincent (Virginia). A memorial service for family and friends will be held Thursday, June 27 at 3pm at Stanfill Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2-3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to your favorite charity.
Christopher (Chris) Place, 83, passed away at home in Grantham, NH, on March 11, 2013. Chris was a Flight Engineer with Pan American World Airways for 36 years, retiring in 1989.
James J. McDonnell passed away peacefully on April 15, 2013. He was born in 1922. He joined the U.S. Navy, flying in the Pacific region during World War II, after which he worked as a pilot for Pan American Airways.
Capt. Conrad Gosheff died on April 12, 2013 of pancreatic cancer at age 79. He earned a nursing degree while flying for Pan Am.
Harlow Earl “Will” Willard passed away on Jan. 15, 2013. Born Dec. 1, 1919, he served in World War II, assigned to command the personal fleet of legendary pil Maj. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. He started flying for Pan Am in 1945, and retired in 1979, after 34 years of service.
Frank Cassaniti passed away peacefully on April 18, 2013 in Vero Beach, FL at age 91. Frank served during World War II with the Air Transport Command (ATC) flying missions between India and China as part of the “hump” campaign. After the war, he met his wife, Marit, of 63 years, while flying the “Berlin Airlift” in Germany. Frank worked for Pan Am for 35 years in a variety of positions, including director of Flight Engineers based out of JFK. While with Pan Am, he flew with several U.S. Presidents, including Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon to China during foreign policy trips. He was responsible for ferrying thousands of Muslims from Iran to Mecca, Saudi Arabia to take part in the annual Hajj Pilgrimage. Frank was part of the flight crew in May 1976 that flew the “Clipper Liberty Bell” Boeing 747 SP record-setting around-the-world flight, breaking the speed record for a commercial revenue flight.
William “Lynn” Prater, 90 of Sebring, Florida, died Friday, April 12, 2013 at North Broward Medical Center Hospice House in Deerfield Beach, Florida, surrounded by his loving family. He joined the Navy Air Corps in 1942 and received his Navy Wings of Gold. He was commissioned Ensign in 1944, the same day he married Evelyn Maxine Ensor. He served as a carrier based pilot until the end of WWII. Lynn joined Pan American World Airways in 1952 and retired as Captain in 1982.
Robert Forrest Setterfield passed away peacefully in Carson City, Nevada, at age 95 on Mar. 16, 2013. He was born at home on Terminal Island, Los Angeles, California on Jan. 22, 1918. While still a teenager he learned to fly airplanes in exchange for washing them. He attended Fremont High School and then went on to Compton College, where he played football and served as student body president. He graduated from UCLA as a history major in 1941. He was a life member of UCLA Alumni Association. He received more flight training with the Navy in Texas and sailed in the U.S. Merchant Marine for seven months. He then flew world wide for 35 meritorious years with Pan American World Airways. He met his wife to be, Marian, in Argentina. She was formerly of Helena, Montana, and working as a Pan Am stewardess out of Miami.
Robert Lawrence May 29, 1916 -March 13, 2013 Resident of Sunnyvale. Bob, a native Californian, passed away peacefully at the age of 96. At the age of 26, he joined Pan American World Airways and as a Captain spent the next 34 years based in San Francisco flying westward servicing the Orient Theater. It was on one of those trips that he met Penny, a Pan Am flight attendant, and the rest is history. He is survived by Penny, his loving wife of 53 years, sons Gerry, Denny and Rob, daughter Kathy and their families of 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. His life was filled with family and life-long good friends, and there wasn’t a thing he couldn’t fix. He was always more than willing to help others who needed his skills. Always a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and a heart as kind as they come. Bob will be dearly missed but his positive and joyful spirit will live on.
John B. Russell died Sept. 4, 2012. He flew Clippers from Treasure Island starting in 1943. He flew to Alaska and Hawaii from SeaTax for about 15 years. In 1965, he moved back to the Bay Area and retired in 1980. He had a large collection of Pan memorablia that was donated to the SF Airport Museum.
Wade Brooks Cushing Weathers, 96 of New London, N.H., died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 at New Lond Hospital’s Clough Center. While attending Williams College, he developed a love for flying which led him to a career with Pan American Airways as a navigator and pilot. He flew the famous Pan American Clippers, including the Boeing B314 “flying boats” between New York, neutral Portugal and Brazil during World War II.