Ralph Hunt – 1920 – 2012
Ralph Hunt, 92, of New Harbor, passed away at home on September 1st,2012. He was born on his family’s farm in Huntsburg, NJ, graduated from Newton High School, and attended Newark School of Diesel Engineering.
He joined Pan American World Airways in 1942, started flying Boeing DC-3‘s for PAA-Africa during World War II, and retired as Captain on Boeing 747‘s in 1980. He served on numerous White House press charters to Europe, Asia, and within the United States for Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter. He was in Berlin to hear President Kennedy’s famous speech, “Ich bin ein Berliner” and flew the press plane to Dallas on the sad day in November, 1963. His accomplished career in aviation included flying the first commercial flight into Moscow in 1968, and accompanying President Nixon to China in 1972.
Upon his retirement to Maine in 1983, he remained active gardening, reading and raising the flag daily on his homebuilt 50’ spruce flagpole.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, former Pan Am stewardess, Peggy (Matilda A. Hendrickson) Hunt; daughters, Candace Hunt and Jane Hunt-Brackett; grandsons, Chase Hunt Brackett and Theodore William Brackett; and many other friends and family members.
A memorial service to celebrate his life is planned for next summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Bristol First Responders, 104 Southside Road, New Harbor, ME 04554 or New Harbor United Methodist Church, PO Box 100, 6 Southside Road, New Harbor, ME 04554.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.