PAST ALASKAN AVIATION LEGEND HONOREES
2017
Fred Richards
Lynn Ellis
Lee Staheli
Lynn Ellis
Lee Staheli
2016
Pete Haggland
Chuck Sassara
Heidi Ruess
George Tibbetts, Sr.
Dick Harding
Kimball Forrest & Kitty Banner
Chuck Sassara
Heidi Ruess
George Tibbetts, Sr.
Dick Harding
Kimball Forrest & Kitty Banner
2015
Robert “Bob” Bielefeld
While some brag about their exploits as a pilot in Alaska, instructor/examiner Bob Bielefeld quietly signs logbooks and goes about his business. He didn’t begin his career as a pilot but was lured to Alaska not to fly airplanes, but to work on drill rigs in the oil fields around the Kenai Peninsula and Swanson River. Bielefeld came to Alaska with a Piper Tri Pacer in the late 1950s, but later was lured into flying oil field hands across the Upper Cook Inlet as part of his job. The need for this type of flying later led to the beginning of Kenai Aviation which is still in operation today. After a career of flying mainly in the upper Cook Inlet, Bielefeld logged 42,000 hours of flying with a legendary career of safety and stability.
Bob “Jake” Steuban Jacobs
Known to his friends as Jake, Bob Jacobs came to Alaska in the late 1930’s to work as a mechanic for Alaska Coastal in Juneau. Within months Jake was in demand and offered another job with Alaska Star, which later became Alaska Airlines. Jake was sent to Nome for a three week stint to repair a Stearman that had lost power and nosed over as it plowed through snow drifts. It would be 14 years and thousands of flying hours before Bob would leave Nome.
Jake continued to fly out of Nome and Kotzebue with Alaska Airlines and later Wien Air. He flew the Gullwing, Pilgrim, Norseman and twin Cessna and delivered mail to all the local villages where he met and later married, Neville Abbott. Neville was visiting friends and traveling around Wales by umiak. At Cape Prince of Wales, Bob circled overhead in the Norseman while Neville and her friends cleared the debris off the beach so he could land. Bob left Alaska for a 10 month stint in Los Angeles flying DC-3’s and C-46’s. In 1959, Bob was hired by Interior Airways to fly the twin Beech to resupply the DEW sites out of Point Barrow and Barter Island and later Frontier Flying Service to resupply troops at Clear AFB. Over the course of Bob’s career he amassed over 19,000 hours flying in bush Alaska and over 6000 hours flying all over the world as a C-130 First Officer and later Flight Engineer. Today, Bob is 97 years of age and lives in Fairbanks with the love of his life, Neville Abbott.
Ketch Ketchum
After graduating high school in 1941, Ketch Ketchum started out as a civilian airplane mechanic for the Navy in San Diego. Rather than wait to be drafted into World War II, Ketch was accepted as a cadet into the Army Air Corps pilot training program during 1942. After graduating as a Second Lieutenant, Ketch launched his aviation career flying C-46 transports in the South Pacific, Philippines and Okinawa and then at the wars end into Atsugi Airfield in Tokyo. Ketch flew briefly with the Philippine Airlines and then in 1948 spent two years flying DC-3’s for a civil airline on the Burbank to LaGuardia run.
After World War II ended Ketch was recalled back to the Air Force and accepted orders to fly C-54’s to transport food and miscellaneous supplies over blocked highways, canals and railroads leading into the U.S. occupied sector of West Berlin. The flights were part of the “Berlin Airlift” and U.S. pilots uplifted over 2.3 million tons of supplies over the course of a year to West Berlin. Following the Berlin crisis, Ketch continued to fly C-47’s with the Air Force throughout England, Europe, and Africa. Once back in the states Ketch joined the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and flew B-36 Bombers and then completed staff work until his retirement in 1964 as a Major. Before the love of his life, Marguerite, and their three children settled in Alaska they lived many places in the world including England and Germany. In 1965 the Ketchum’s went on a family road trip up the Alcan to Alaska for a vacation and never looked back. Their entire family still calls Alaska home. After Ketch retired from an extensive military aviation career, he and his wife Marguerite then started and grew their own air taxi. Ketchum Flying Service was a successful family owned and operated air taxi based at the largest sea plane airport in the world, Lake Hood. Eventually they also operated out of other Alaskan locations including Valdez and Cordova. Ketch Ketchum retired a second time as a very experienced and sought after Alaskan bush pilot.
Jim Rowe
Jim Rowe's life in Alaska has been one of adventure, hard work, big chances and huge rewards. While perfectly suited to the position of CEO, Jim never set out to fulfill that dream and still doesn’t see himself in that light, it just happened. At 16, Jim soloed from his hometown airport, Harbor Springs in Petoskey, Michigan. During his senior year at Western Michigan University he and a partner purchased a 1954 Cessna 195. After graduation Jim and three college buddies, each with $400 in their pockets, embarked on a long cross country flight. The group traveled from Petoskey, Michigan to Baja, Mexico, then followed the shoreline to Barrow and finally Nome, Alaska taking two months to complete the journey. “We arrived in Nome at 4pm on July 3rd, 41 years ago with a flat tail wheel, out of gas and between the three of us remaining we had $0.78 in our pockets." “That night, after receiving a $100 money order at the post office from my partners’ father in Iowa, we were having dinner at Mike Murphy’s newly established Uncles Pizza.” While there the phone rang, it was Dick Galleher, owner of Munz Northern Airlines, a local air taxi. Dick had looked up the owner of the 195 and asked for “Jim Rowe” and then quickly offered him a job. Jim and Chris raised their two sons Ben and Russell in Nome and together, along with long time employees and friends, quietly grew Bering Air into a major regional schedule, charter, fixed wing and helicopter business based in Nome, Alaska. Jim insists that without his partner and wife Chris and many dedicated employees who became friends none of this would have been possible. Jim had many firsts along the way including the first to offer passenger air service to the Russian Far East. Still today, after over 4,000 flights to Russia, Bering Air continues to operate year around service to that isolated region. “The early year’s weren’t all the glamor you see today flying turbo prop airplanes, flying at altitude, great runways, GPS and the like. My first 20 years, were mostly all off airport operations flying single engine otters, beavers, beech 18’s, and a lot of search and rescues, in a lot of ways they were also the best.” Today after flying over 30,000 hours Jim and Chris share their time between Harbor Springs, Michigan and their real home in Nome, Alaska.
Nancy Jane Miller Livingston Stratford
During her extensive career in aviation, Nancy Miller Livingston Stratford was a trailblazer for women seeking to enter aviation at a time when it was still considered a man’s world. In 1942, twenty-three year old Nancy Jane Miller joined a group of American women hand-picked to volunteer as a pilot with the British Air Transport Auxiliary. During her time while serving the ATA, she delivered over 50 different types of aircraft without instruments and in all kinds of weather. When Nancy and her husband Arlo moved to Juneau in 1960 she became the very first and only woman helicopter pilot in Alaska at that time. She was the second woman to be a licensed commercial helicopter pilot in the United States and fourth woman licensed in the world.
“I loved all the flying, the freedom, doing what I liked to do. It was “wild and wooly” at times. I was a lucky person in my career. I smile. I have absolutely no regrets.” -- Nancy Miller Livingston Stratford
Lowell Thomas Jr.
In 1943 Lowell Thomas Jr. began flying as an Aviation Cadet in a Boeing Stearman. For the next 66 years, piloting more than 10,000 flight hours, Lowell Jr, would live his dream flights, including a honeymoon flight round-the-world and later a record breaking jet flight North Pole to South Pole. During WWII Thomas trained and flight instructed in the B-25 Mitchell. His passion for flying and photography took him across the US and all over the world on filming adventures. Lowell and his wife, Tay, moved to Alaska in 1960 and raised their young family in Anchorage. He owned Talkeetna Air Service and became known for his glacier landings and high altitude flights to Denali in a turbocharged Helio Courier.
Larry Thompson
Larry Thompson was born in a farm house in Southeastern Iowa before World War II . His father always had an airplane around so he doesn’t remember exactly when he learned to fly—but does remember that he purchased his first airplane while in the seventh grade. Later working as a commercial pilot flying for American Airlines in Chicago, he moved back to Alaska and took a job with the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller at the Center on Boniface in Anchorage. While working air traffic he applied with FAA Flight Service. After being transferred all over the state he eventually settled in Homer. While working at the Homer FSS he worked part-time for Homer Air. Eventually he bought Homer Air in the early 1990s but later sold it in 2001 after turning it into an operation with dozens of aircraft. Under the direction of Thompson, Homer Air is considered the pioneer of bear viewing in the Kachemak and Kamishak Bay areas of Alaska. Logging over 30,000 in his career of flying Thompson also has roots in commercial fishing, plumbing and construction.
Robert “Bob” Bielefeld
While some brag about their exploits as a pilot in Alaska, instructor/examiner Bob Bielefeld quietly signs logbooks and goes about his business. He didn’t begin his career as a pilot but was lured to Alaska not to fly airplanes, but to work on drill rigs in the oil fields around the Kenai Peninsula and Swanson River. Bielefeld came to Alaska with a Piper Tri Pacer in the late 1950s, but later was lured into flying oil field hands across the Upper Cook Inlet as part of his job. The need for this type of flying later led to the beginning of Kenai Aviation which is still in operation today. After a career of flying mainly in the upper Cook Inlet, Bielefeld logged 42,000 hours of flying with a legendary career of safety and stability.
Bob “Jake” Steuban Jacobs
Known to his friends as Jake, Bob Jacobs came to Alaska in the late 1930’s to work as a mechanic for Alaska Coastal in Juneau. Within months Jake was in demand and offered another job with Alaska Star, which later became Alaska Airlines. Jake was sent to Nome for a three week stint to repair a Stearman that had lost power and nosed over as it plowed through snow drifts. It would be 14 years and thousands of flying hours before Bob would leave Nome.
Jake continued to fly out of Nome and Kotzebue with Alaska Airlines and later Wien Air. He flew the Gullwing, Pilgrim, Norseman and twin Cessna and delivered mail to all the local villages where he met and later married, Neville Abbott. Neville was visiting friends and traveling around Wales by umiak. At Cape Prince of Wales, Bob circled overhead in the Norseman while Neville and her friends cleared the debris off the beach so he could land. Bob left Alaska for a 10 month stint in Los Angeles flying DC-3’s and C-46’s. In 1959, Bob was hired by Interior Airways to fly the twin Beech to resupply the DEW sites out of Point Barrow and Barter Island and later Frontier Flying Service to resupply troops at Clear AFB. Over the course of Bob’s career he amassed over 19,000 hours flying in bush Alaska and over 6000 hours flying all over the world as a C-130 First Officer and later Flight Engineer. Today, Bob is 97 years of age and lives in Fairbanks with the love of his life, Neville Abbott.
Ketch Ketchum
After graduating high school in 1941, Ketch Ketchum started out as a civilian airplane mechanic for the Navy in San Diego. Rather than wait to be drafted into World War II, Ketch was accepted as a cadet into the Army Air Corps pilot training program during 1942. After graduating as a Second Lieutenant, Ketch launched his aviation career flying C-46 transports in the South Pacific, Philippines and Okinawa and then at the wars end into Atsugi Airfield in Tokyo. Ketch flew briefly with the Philippine Airlines and then in 1948 spent two years flying DC-3’s for a civil airline on the Burbank to LaGuardia run.
After World War II ended Ketch was recalled back to the Air Force and accepted orders to fly C-54’s to transport food and miscellaneous supplies over blocked highways, canals and railroads leading into the U.S. occupied sector of West Berlin. The flights were part of the “Berlin Airlift” and U.S. pilots uplifted over 2.3 million tons of supplies over the course of a year to West Berlin. Following the Berlin crisis, Ketch continued to fly C-47’s with the Air Force throughout England, Europe, and Africa. Once back in the states Ketch joined the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and flew B-36 Bombers and then completed staff work until his retirement in 1964 as a Major. Before the love of his life, Marguerite, and their three children settled in Alaska they lived many places in the world including England and Germany. In 1965 the Ketchum’s went on a family road trip up the Alcan to Alaska for a vacation and never looked back. Their entire family still calls Alaska home. After Ketch retired from an extensive military aviation career, he and his wife Marguerite then started and grew their own air taxi. Ketchum Flying Service was a successful family owned and operated air taxi based at the largest sea plane airport in the world, Lake Hood. Eventually they also operated out of other Alaskan locations including Valdez and Cordova. Ketch Ketchum retired a second time as a very experienced and sought after Alaskan bush pilot.
Jim Rowe
Jim Rowe's life in Alaska has been one of adventure, hard work, big chances and huge rewards. While perfectly suited to the position of CEO, Jim never set out to fulfill that dream and still doesn’t see himself in that light, it just happened. At 16, Jim soloed from his hometown airport, Harbor Springs in Petoskey, Michigan. During his senior year at Western Michigan University he and a partner purchased a 1954 Cessna 195. After graduation Jim and three college buddies, each with $400 in their pockets, embarked on a long cross country flight. The group traveled from Petoskey, Michigan to Baja, Mexico, then followed the shoreline to Barrow and finally Nome, Alaska taking two months to complete the journey. “We arrived in Nome at 4pm on July 3rd, 41 years ago with a flat tail wheel, out of gas and between the three of us remaining we had $0.78 in our pockets." “That night, after receiving a $100 money order at the post office from my partners’ father in Iowa, we were having dinner at Mike Murphy’s newly established Uncles Pizza.” While there the phone rang, it was Dick Galleher, owner of Munz Northern Airlines, a local air taxi. Dick had looked up the owner of the 195 and asked for “Jim Rowe” and then quickly offered him a job. Jim and Chris raised their two sons Ben and Russell in Nome and together, along with long time employees and friends, quietly grew Bering Air into a major regional schedule, charter, fixed wing and helicopter business based in Nome, Alaska. Jim insists that without his partner and wife Chris and many dedicated employees who became friends none of this would have been possible. Jim had many firsts along the way including the first to offer passenger air service to the Russian Far East. Still today, after over 4,000 flights to Russia, Bering Air continues to operate year around service to that isolated region. “The early year’s weren’t all the glamor you see today flying turbo prop airplanes, flying at altitude, great runways, GPS and the like. My first 20 years, were mostly all off airport operations flying single engine otters, beavers, beech 18’s, and a lot of search and rescues, in a lot of ways they were also the best.” Today after flying over 30,000 hours Jim and Chris share their time between Harbor Springs, Michigan and their real home in Nome, Alaska.
Nancy Jane Miller Livingston Stratford
During her extensive career in aviation, Nancy Miller Livingston Stratford was a trailblazer for women seeking to enter aviation at a time when it was still considered a man’s world. In 1942, twenty-three year old Nancy Jane Miller joined a group of American women hand-picked to volunteer as a pilot with the British Air Transport Auxiliary. During her time while serving the ATA, she delivered over 50 different types of aircraft without instruments and in all kinds of weather. When Nancy and her husband Arlo moved to Juneau in 1960 she became the very first and only woman helicopter pilot in Alaska at that time. She was the second woman to be a licensed commercial helicopter pilot in the United States and fourth woman licensed in the world.
“I loved all the flying, the freedom, doing what I liked to do. It was “wild and wooly” at times. I was a lucky person in my career. I smile. I have absolutely no regrets.” -- Nancy Miller Livingston Stratford
Lowell Thomas Jr.
In 1943 Lowell Thomas Jr. began flying as an Aviation Cadet in a Boeing Stearman. For the next 66 years, piloting more than 10,000 flight hours, Lowell Jr, would live his dream flights, including a honeymoon flight round-the-world and later a record breaking jet flight North Pole to South Pole. During WWII Thomas trained and flight instructed in the B-25 Mitchell. His passion for flying and photography took him across the US and all over the world on filming adventures. Lowell and his wife, Tay, moved to Alaska in 1960 and raised their young family in Anchorage. He owned Talkeetna Air Service and became known for his glacier landings and high altitude flights to Denali in a turbocharged Helio Courier.
Larry Thompson
Larry Thompson was born in a farm house in Southeastern Iowa before World War II . His father always had an airplane around so he doesn’t remember exactly when he learned to fly—but does remember that he purchased his first airplane while in the seventh grade. Later working as a commercial pilot flying for American Airlines in Chicago, he moved back to Alaska and took a job with the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller at the Center on Boniface in Anchorage. While working air traffic he applied with FAA Flight Service. After being transferred all over the state he eventually settled in Homer. While working at the Homer FSS he worked part-time for Homer Air. Eventually he bought Homer Air in the early 1990s but later sold it in 2001 after turning it into an operation with dozens of aircraft. Under the direction of Thompson, Homer Air is considered the pioneer of bear viewing in the Kachemak and Kamishak Bay areas of Alaska. Logging over 30,000 in his career of flying Thompson also has roots in commercial fishing, plumbing and construction.
2014
Walt Audi
Audi came to Alaska in 1962 “to see what was possible,” and stayed to serve the people north of the 70th latitude for over fifty years. He started Audi Air and Audi Enterprises, with a headquarters in Kaktovik and stations at Fort Yukon, Galena and Prudhoe Bay. The companies employed over 100 people and operated 29 aircraft. He and Merilyn Traynor continue to support the aviation industry today from Kaktovik and Fairbanks, and host visitors to Kaktovik at the only hotel in town, Waldo Arms.
Albert Ball, Sr. - November 6, 1914 – April 10, 2014
Ball was an Alaska bush pilot for over 30 years. He started Western Alaska Airlines in January 1953, headquartered in Dillingham and King Salmon, to serve the Western Aleutian Chain and Bristol Bay, flying the Grumman Goose, Super Widgeon, Lockheed 12A, and Cessna aircraft. After twenty years of dedicated service, the airline merged in 1973 with Kodiak Airways to become Kodiak Western. He taught his sons to fly and they started the Ball Brothers Inc., flying cargo aircraft filled with up to six million pounds of salmon to processors monthly from the beaches of Bristol Bay before processing ships became the norm. Four generations of the Ball family still operate a fishing venture from Dillingham.
Lavelle and Dick Betz
Lavelle and Dick Betz flew hunters and fishing clients to their wilderness lodge at Shulin Lake in “his and her” 160 hp super cubs for over thirty years. Still today, both enjoy visiting and staying at their remote wilderness lodge. The Betz’s came to Alaska in the mid 1940’s then secured jobs at the base. Shortly after, Dick transferred to Skwentna and then back to Ft. Richardson (JBER) hangar three where he worked for the remainder of his career salvaging, repairing, and maintaining aircraft and heavy equipment for the military. Many have relied on Dick for rescues, maintenance or as a good friend. Lavelle soloed in their supercub on skis after 4.5 hours while Dick enjoyed ice fishing on a small nearby lake . Lavelle went on to earn her single engine private pilots certificate with land and sea rating. She earned over 6,000 hours flying for enjoyment and a Class A assistance guide.
Bill Diehl
Diehl designed and produced the Arctic Tern aircraft, transforming the Interstate Aircraft into a bush plane by upgrading the structural elements of the fuselage, landing gear, and wings. He extended and squared off the wings, added a large cargo tray, and a new clam shell engine cowling. Bill had an oxygen supply and flew the Arctic Tern over the top of Mount McKinley. As he passed over the summit, he was 50 feet above the mountain top.
Garland Dobson
Garland always knew he would be a pilot and when Anna Marie pinned helicopter pilot wings on his U.S. Army officer uniform, Garland was off to earn his fixed wing and commercial license the very same day! Garland went on to fly Black Cat Assault helicopter missions in Vietnam and when not deploying or extracting soldiers Garland was often called upon to sweep fox holes. After two tours of duty and a Purple Heart Garland and Anna Marie moved to Alaska where Dobson flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft for local companies, Army Guard, the State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Garland became the first Helo-1 pilot, tested the R-22 helicopter for the State of Alaska, and received recognition as pilot of year and more.
Joyce Galleher
Galleher came to Alaska in 1951 for a honeymoon in Bethel with her husband, Dick Galleher. As Dick flew airplanes for Northern Consolidated, they lived in Bethel, Dillingham, and Red Devil. Joyce and Dick co-owned and together ran Arctic Air Cargo in Anchorage. In 1962 they bought Munz Airways and created Munz Northern Airlines, faithfully serving the people of Western Alaska until 1983, when they retired.
Dr. Royce Morgan
Morgan’s inspiration for flying was gained early from his Uncle Harvey who was part of the first World flight flying back seat in the Seattle. Later his uncle became quite an accomplished pilot flying B-10’s, B-29’s and other aircraft during WWII. When Royce won a high school writing contest, “Why I want to be a Pilot” he received free flight lessons and was hooked. While practicing medicine in Anchorage after the service, Royce learned about the imminent construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and subsequently created Polar Airlines, beginning with a C-180 and an Aztec. The company quickly grew to 20 pilots and over 14 aircraft with cargo and passenger scheduled and charter service statewide.
Paul Shanahan
Paul learned to fly in Anchorage in the early 1950s. With only 50 flight hours, he was landing on glaciers, providing flight service for neighbors from his homestead at Susitna Station, and delivering mail. He flew his own planes and also was employed by Southcentral Air, Wien, and Wrights Air Service. Operating for years from Bettles, Paul is well known for exceptional skill in cold weather service across Northern Alaska, many emergency flights, and helping countless Alaskans in need. He retired to live in the Brooks Range at Iniakuk Lake.
Ron Sheardown
Sheardown watched aircraft at the local airport from his home across the street and relished hearing local pilots shares stories. Since earning his pilot’s license at the age of 19, Ron has amassed over 19,000 hours as pilot in command with over 10,000 hours in Polar Regions of the world. Ron is known for numerous arctic rescues, discovering numerous mining claims with six mines in production today, and leading or participating in numerous arctic explorations including the search for the 1937 lost Russian airplane, an N209, piloted by Captain Levanevski. Ron is the recipient of numerous national and international awards, including the prestigious Collier Trophy.
Warren Thompson
Thompson served the FAA from Kotzebue for 25 years. He has logged over 44,000 flight hours, a good portion of those on search and rescue missions. Thompson helped form the Kotzebue squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, and his commitment to the safety of the people in the NANA region is legendary and much appreciated. He has received numerous awards from the Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska state legislature, local groups, and the aviation community.
Merrill Wien
Merrill has been flying continuously for 68 years and is still flying at age 83, logging over 33,000 hours in more than 300 aircraft including helicopters, war birds, bush planes, and large jets all over the world. He is an accomplished glacier pilot, type rated in over forty large aircraft, one of a very few check airmen with unlimited authority by the FAA to give type ratings in any multi engine piston aircraft. He flew FIFI, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29 and was a check airmen on all their multi engine war birds. He has been a mentor to hundreds of young men and women.
K. Gene Zerkel
Zerkel came to Alaska after being a wing-walker in air shows, flying to help build the eastern stretch of the DEW line through Canada, and managing a non-union airline for 14 years that served the auto industry in Detroit. Zerkel started Great Northern Airlines, formerly Fairbanks Air Service, then lead operations and maintenance at Mark Air before starting Alaska Aircraft Sales and Maintenance at Lake Hood.
Audi came to Alaska in 1962 “to see what was possible,” and stayed to serve the people north of the 70th latitude for over fifty years. He started Audi Air and Audi Enterprises, with a headquarters in Kaktovik and stations at Fort Yukon, Galena and Prudhoe Bay. The companies employed over 100 people and operated 29 aircraft. He and Merilyn Traynor continue to support the aviation industry today from Kaktovik and Fairbanks, and host visitors to Kaktovik at the only hotel in town, Waldo Arms.
Albert Ball, Sr. - November 6, 1914 – April 10, 2014
Ball was an Alaska bush pilot for over 30 years. He started Western Alaska Airlines in January 1953, headquartered in Dillingham and King Salmon, to serve the Western Aleutian Chain and Bristol Bay, flying the Grumman Goose, Super Widgeon, Lockheed 12A, and Cessna aircraft. After twenty years of dedicated service, the airline merged in 1973 with Kodiak Airways to become Kodiak Western. He taught his sons to fly and they started the Ball Brothers Inc., flying cargo aircraft filled with up to six million pounds of salmon to processors monthly from the beaches of Bristol Bay before processing ships became the norm. Four generations of the Ball family still operate a fishing venture from Dillingham.
Lavelle and Dick Betz
Lavelle and Dick Betz flew hunters and fishing clients to their wilderness lodge at Shulin Lake in “his and her” 160 hp super cubs for over thirty years. Still today, both enjoy visiting and staying at their remote wilderness lodge. The Betz’s came to Alaska in the mid 1940’s then secured jobs at the base. Shortly after, Dick transferred to Skwentna and then back to Ft. Richardson (JBER) hangar three where he worked for the remainder of his career salvaging, repairing, and maintaining aircraft and heavy equipment for the military. Many have relied on Dick for rescues, maintenance or as a good friend. Lavelle soloed in their supercub on skis after 4.5 hours while Dick enjoyed ice fishing on a small nearby lake . Lavelle went on to earn her single engine private pilots certificate with land and sea rating. She earned over 6,000 hours flying for enjoyment and a Class A assistance guide.
Bill Diehl
Diehl designed and produced the Arctic Tern aircraft, transforming the Interstate Aircraft into a bush plane by upgrading the structural elements of the fuselage, landing gear, and wings. He extended and squared off the wings, added a large cargo tray, and a new clam shell engine cowling. Bill had an oxygen supply and flew the Arctic Tern over the top of Mount McKinley. As he passed over the summit, he was 50 feet above the mountain top.
Garland Dobson
Garland always knew he would be a pilot and when Anna Marie pinned helicopter pilot wings on his U.S. Army officer uniform, Garland was off to earn his fixed wing and commercial license the very same day! Garland went on to fly Black Cat Assault helicopter missions in Vietnam and when not deploying or extracting soldiers Garland was often called upon to sweep fox holes. After two tours of duty and a Purple Heart Garland and Anna Marie moved to Alaska where Dobson flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft for local companies, Army Guard, the State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Garland became the first Helo-1 pilot, tested the R-22 helicopter for the State of Alaska, and received recognition as pilot of year and more.
Joyce Galleher
Galleher came to Alaska in 1951 for a honeymoon in Bethel with her husband, Dick Galleher. As Dick flew airplanes for Northern Consolidated, they lived in Bethel, Dillingham, and Red Devil. Joyce and Dick co-owned and together ran Arctic Air Cargo in Anchorage. In 1962 they bought Munz Airways and created Munz Northern Airlines, faithfully serving the people of Western Alaska until 1983, when they retired.
Dr. Royce Morgan
Morgan’s inspiration for flying was gained early from his Uncle Harvey who was part of the first World flight flying back seat in the Seattle. Later his uncle became quite an accomplished pilot flying B-10’s, B-29’s and other aircraft during WWII. When Royce won a high school writing contest, “Why I want to be a Pilot” he received free flight lessons and was hooked. While practicing medicine in Anchorage after the service, Royce learned about the imminent construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and subsequently created Polar Airlines, beginning with a C-180 and an Aztec. The company quickly grew to 20 pilots and over 14 aircraft with cargo and passenger scheduled and charter service statewide.
Paul Shanahan
Paul learned to fly in Anchorage in the early 1950s. With only 50 flight hours, he was landing on glaciers, providing flight service for neighbors from his homestead at Susitna Station, and delivering mail. He flew his own planes and also was employed by Southcentral Air, Wien, and Wrights Air Service. Operating for years from Bettles, Paul is well known for exceptional skill in cold weather service across Northern Alaska, many emergency flights, and helping countless Alaskans in need. He retired to live in the Brooks Range at Iniakuk Lake.
Ron Sheardown
Sheardown watched aircraft at the local airport from his home across the street and relished hearing local pilots shares stories. Since earning his pilot’s license at the age of 19, Ron has amassed over 19,000 hours as pilot in command with over 10,000 hours in Polar Regions of the world. Ron is known for numerous arctic rescues, discovering numerous mining claims with six mines in production today, and leading or participating in numerous arctic explorations including the search for the 1937 lost Russian airplane, an N209, piloted by Captain Levanevski. Ron is the recipient of numerous national and international awards, including the prestigious Collier Trophy.
Warren Thompson
Thompson served the FAA from Kotzebue for 25 years. He has logged over 44,000 flight hours, a good portion of those on search and rescue missions. Thompson helped form the Kotzebue squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, and his commitment to the safety of the people in the NANA region is legendary and much appreciated. He has received numerous awards from the Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska state legislature, local groups, and the aviation community.
Merrill Wien
Merrill has been flying continuously for 68 years and is still flying at age 83, logging over 33,000 hours in more than 300 aircraft including helicopters, war birds, bush planes, and large jets all over the world. He is an accomplished glacier pilot, type rated in over forty large aircraft, one of a very few check airmen with unlimited authority by the FAA to give type ratings in any multi engine piston aircraft. He flew FIFI, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29 and was a check airmen on all their multi engine war birds. He has been a mentor to hundreds of young men and women.
K. Gene Zerkel
Zerkel came to Alaska after being a wing-walker in air shows, flying to help build the eastern stretch of the DEW line through Canada, and managing a non-union airline for 14 years that served the auto industry in Detroit. Zerkel started Great Northern Airlines, formerly Fairbanks Air Service, then lead operations and maintenance at Mark Air before starting Alaska Aircraft Sales and Maintenance at Lake Hood.
2013
Mike Hunt
C-46 connection to the Lower 48 after the war; installed airport infrastructure before statehood; started Alaska Commemorative Air Force
Bud Rude
A&E mechanic & pilot; 4000 hours by the time he was 23; amassed over 40,000; “Alaska can dish out whatever you think you are man enough to take.”
George Pappas
Is known as the “wizard of sheet metal,” he and Ruby have salvaged countless aircraft and returned them to serve Alaska
Urban Rahoi
Started flying in 1934, flew in the war, then flew for Alaska’s major carriers; big game guide (License #1) with a lodge and airstrip on Ptarmigan Lake
Bill Brooks
Started the Anchorage Air Cargo Association; built much of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport infrastructure during the pipeline days
Rita Sholton
Raised a family and led an aviation business single-handedly to become the the largest cargo carrier in a State dependent upon dependable, affordable cargo transport
Bobby Miller
Heavy equipment for WII; owned 61 aircraft; aviation leader who helped form an aviation industry in Alaska; NCA board of directors; owner of Arctic Circle Hot Springs
Peter Merry
Flew EVERYWHERE before statehood and infrastructure—Juneau, Barrow, Barter Island, Umiat, the DEW line; A&P still working today at 83 years
George Murphy
Engineer who build roads and airports throughout Alaska, then retired to start a bush Part 135 and flew for over 30 years in the Iditarod Air Force
C-46 connection to the Lower 48 after the war; installed airport infrastructure before statehood; started Alaska Commemorative Air Force
Bud Rude
A&E mechanic & pilot; 4000 hours by the time he was 23; amassed over 40,000; “Alaska can dish out whatever you think you are man enough to take.”
George Pappas
Is known as the “wizard of sheet metal,” he and Ruby have salvaged countless aircraft and returned them to serve Alaska
Urban Rahoi
Started flying in 1934, flew in the war, then flew for Alaska’s major carriers; big game guide (License #1) with a lodge and airstrip on Ptarmigan Lake
Bill Brooks
Started the Anchorage Air Cargo Association; built much of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport infrastructure during the pipeline days
Rita Sholton
Raised a family and led an aviation business single-handedly to become the the largest cargo carrier in a State dependent upon dependable, affordable cargo transport
Bobby Miller
Heavy equipment for WII; owned 61 aircraft; aviation leader who helped form an aviation industry in Alaska; NCA board of directors; owner of Arctic Circle Hot Springs
Peter Merry
Flew EVERYWHERE before statehood and infrastructure—Juneau, Barrow, Barter Island, Umiat, the DEW line; A&P still working today at 83 years
George Murphy
Engineer who build roads and airports throughout Alaska, then retired to start a bush Part 135 and flew for over 30 years in the Iditarod Air Force
2012
Glen Alsworth, Port Alsworth
Rex Bishopp, Anchorage
William D. English, Anchorage
Harold Esmailka, Ruby
Cliff Everts, Fairbanks
John Hajdukovich, Fairbanks
Oren Hudson, Anchorage
Holger “Jorgy” Jorgensen, Fairbanks
Rod Judy, Petersburg
Orin Seybert, Anchorage
William Stedman, Petersburg
Richard Wien, Fairbanks
Al Wright, Fairbanks
Rex Bishopp, Anchorage
William D. English, Anchorage
Harold Esmailka, Ruby
Cliff Everts, Fairbanks
John Hajdukovich, Fairbanks
Oren Hudson, Anchorage
Holger “Jorgy” Jorgensen, Fairbanks
Rod Judy, Petersburg
Orin Seybert, Anchorage
William Stedman, Petersburg
Richard Wien, Fairbanks
Al Wright, Fairbanks