Leland K. Ozawa
1943 ~ 2024
Captain Leland K. Ozawa, age 80, died on September 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada of pneumonia. He was born on December 16, 1943 at Queens’s Hospital, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to parents Walter Minoru Ozawa and Catherine Keonaona Sims.
‘Lee’ was the second of four siblings, there was an older brother and a younger brother and sister. His father was a GP medical doctor, and his mother Catherine was a nurse. These parents discerned that Lee needed direction and discipline, upon reaching high school age he was enrolled in Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia, graduating with the class of 1961. After high school Lee enlisted in the Marine Corps and served a single term enlistment.
Briefly after the USMC Lee studied at the University of Utah. Sometime around this era he began general aviation pilot instruction at airports near Salt Lake City. The bulk of his ratings and initial flight time were acquired in or near Salt Lake City. Thereafter, the quest for airline employment began.
James D. Houdek
1938 ~ 2024
Captain James Houdek, age 85, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, passed away at his home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Amazingly, September 18th is the Feast Day for the patron saint of aviators and pilots, Saint Joseph of Cupertino.
James Dean Houdek was born December 19, 1938, to James C. and Marie ‘Mae’ Sedlak Houdek in Crete, Nebraska. He was one of four children, the third child. ‘Jim’ grew up farming with his family in rural southeast Nebraska. During his senior year he moved to Columbus, Nebraska. He graduated from Columbus High School with the Class of 1956. Farm life in rural Nebraska demanded a strong work ethic and attention to task. Jim met those standards. After high school Jim became a welder. Driving home one night after a long cold day on the job, Jim saw a billboard touting “Air Force, a great way of life.” It was then he decided to join the USAF and learn to fly.
Norman R. Anderson
1933 ~ 2024
Captain Norman ‘Andy’ Anderson, age 91, died on September 20, 2024, from the effects of Parkinson’s and associated infections. He was born to Anthony and Miriam Miles Anderson at Lawrence Park, PA on August 21, 1933. Andy was the youngest of 3 sons, his older brothers were Tony and Harold.
Andy’s father, Anthony Anderson, had retired from the US Army. His service included duty as a drummer in the Army Band and service during WW 1. His post-retirement employment was with General Electric. Andy’s mother Miriam, was an elementary school teacher.
The family abode was in Lawrence Park, PA just east of Erie, PA. No doubt Andy could recall many brutal winters and yet in the summer months he often swam in Lake Erie. As a youngster, each summer Andy could be found on the public ball fields playing baseball with his pals. While in high school Andy distinguished himself as an athlete. He played the position of end on the football team. He most distinguished himself as a star basketball player, earning himself a full basketball scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh.
David R. Wooden
1932 ~ 2024
Captain David R. Wooden, age 91, died July 22, 2024 at Grand Itasca Clinic in Minnesota after an auto accident that occurred the afternoon of July 18, 2024.
Dave was born on November 26, 1932, at Riverside, IL to Richard and Susan (McLaughlin) Wooden. He was a good student with a bent toward technology and science. After high school he attended college in his home state - Illinois. In late 1952 & early 1953 the United States was deeply engrossed in the Korean War. It was no surprise that his local Draft Board sent Dave a notice of inquiry preceding induction into the Army. Dave opted to enlist in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet rather than face induction into the Army as a draftee.
Joseph B. Heye
1939 ~ 2024
Captain Joseph B. Heye, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Olympia on Thursday, July 25th with family by his side. Joe was humble, kind, and a devout Catholic, attending St. Mary's Catholic Church in South Tacoma. He was born in Olympia on Feb 9th, 1939, the son of Adolph and Agnes Heye - Joe had three younger siblings.
Joe attended grade school at St. Michael's Catholic School and for high school, went on to attend St. Edward Seminary in Kenmore, WA with the intention of possibly joining the priesthood. He continued in the seminary until he completed a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He decided not to go into the priesthood and left the seminary in 1961. At that time, the conflict in Vietnam was escalating with the beginning of the Army draft.
Hans Abrahamsen
1927 ~ 2024
Captain Hans J. Abrahamsen, age 96, of Inver Grove Heights, passed away peacefully at home on May 12, 2024. He was born September15, 1927 and grew up on a dairy farm in Askov, MN.
His boyhood dream was to be a pilot. After serving in the Army, graduating from Macalester College and then serving in the Air Force, he achieved his goal of becoming a commercial airline pilot for Northwest Airlines.
Midway through his flying career he bought a farm near Coates, MN and found great satisfaction in running a farm. He retired from flying at age 57 but continued to actively farm until age 78. He was still cutting his lawn with his John Deere mower at age 95.
In 1956 he married Phyllis Bailey. Together they had two daughters, Karen and Susan. Becoming a father was one of the greatest moments of his life. He found much joy in spending time with his young daughters and later his grandchildren.
Hans is preceded in death by his parents Hans and Carrie, all eight of his siblings, Jens, Karl, Magdeline, Lillian, Mildred, Ina, Eldon, Nettie and his beloved dog Freckles. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Phyllis, daughters Karen (Logan) and Susan, grandchildren Nick (Alex), Sammi (Joey), Jacob, Josh (Jordan), Marissa (Jonathan) and great grandchildren Noelle, Hannah, Lilly, Luke, Isaac, Micah.
( ~ Abrahamsen family)
Karl Marvin Kunz
1936 ~ 2024
Captain Karl Marvin Kunz, age 87, of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away on February 20, 2024, at Hudson Hospital in Hudson, Wisconsin. Karl was born on April 29, 1936, to parent's Alfred and Mary (Jensen) Kunz in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
Young Karl grew up in Western Wisconsin, attending high school in Menomonie. He was smitten by the aviation bug as a teenager and delved deep into classifications and specifics of aircraft so abundant in the post WWII era.
Concurrently Karl met his future wife in high school and neither one dated anyone else. Karl and Virginia (Thibado) were united in marriage on August 26, 1954, in Downsville, Wisconsin. Together they raised two children.
It was no surprise to family and friends that Karl opted to acquire a FAA Mechanic A&P license in St. Paul, MN, given his intense interest in aviation. Karl began his Northwest Airlines career as a mechanic at St. Paul Airport on May 06, 1959. As the transition to jet aircraft arrived at NWA there also arrived a short-lived opportunity for Karl to qualify as an airline pilot. Karl grasped that opportunity and obtained the necessary FAA pilot ratings to qualify him for future pilot employment.
William Russell Smith
1942 ~ 2024
Captain William Russell Smith, age 81, of Osceola, Missouri passed away on May 18, 2024 at Truman Manor Nursing Home. Known to his friends as Russ, he was born in Los Angeles, CA on October 23, 1942 to Ethel and Bunyon Smith.
Russ was an energetic and industrious child starting his working career at the age of nine. Each morning at 0400, he and his beloved dog Princess would get up, roll and deliver newspapers on his bike and then go on to school. He did this through his early teens. Russ had other jobs that contributed to his character and work ethics; selling papers at the Rose Bowl, working at a hula hoop manufacture, pumping gas, and raising rabbits that he sold to the local market.
After graduating from Temple City High School, Russ enlisted for four years in the US Air Force. His military specialty was as a Security Specialist. This duty took him to stations in Alaska, Spain, and Kansas. While in the Air Force Russ discovered general aviation through the military aeroclubs. In time he acquired a FAA Commercial license with a Certified Flight Instructor rating. He thereafter built flight time working as a CFI.
Stuart Thomas Ecker
1942 ~ 2024
Captain Stuart Thomas Ecker, age 81, a cherished resident of Wickenburg, Arizona, died in a tragic road accident on July 9th, 2024 near Bozeman, Montana. Born on July 10, 1942, in Canton, Ohio to parents Edgar Norris Ecker and Sue (Thomas) Ecker. There was one sibling, his brother Robert Norris Ecker.
Stu attended high school in Canton, Ohio where he was regarded as a good student and athlete. After high school Stu migrated to Arizona where he earned BS and MS degrees in Engineering at the University of Arizona. Along the way he was smitten with the aviation bug. Stu acquired the entry level FAA ratings and began to build flight time in the extensive general aviation community found in Arizona.
When his ratings and flight time permitted, he applied for employment with major airlines and was granted an interview with Northwest Airlines. Stuart Ecker began his long-time employment with Northwest Airlines on February 27, 1967. Arizona to Minnesota in February must have been a physical shock!
Bruce Robert Olson
1941 ~ 2024
Captain Bruce Olson, age 82, of St. Pete Beach, FL, passed away peacefully, January 24, 2024. He was born on April 03, 1941 to Robert and Eve (Johnson) in Minneapolis, MN.
Bruce attended Gustavus Adolphus College and had a 30 plus year career as a pilot for Northwest Airlines where he was proud to be an early Captain of the Boeing 757. He loved watching sports, especially football, hockey and golf. His day wasn't complete until he finished the crossword from the paper. Bruce enjoyed taking care of the neighbors' condos and cars when they were away to make sure they were ready for them when they returned.
The neighbors of Bruce in Florida submit numerous reports on his generosity and kindness. Comments such as, “I will always remember what a wonderful man he was” abound when his name is mentioned.”
Bruce is survived by two sons, Chris (Karin) of Minneapolis, MN and Matt of Hilo, HI; two granddaughters, Annika and Greta; two brothers, Willy and Larry; and former wife, Karyl. He is preceded in death by wife, Gayle; sister, Kathy; and granddaughter Amanda.
(~ Olson Family)
Joseph M. Maricelli
1939 ~ 2024
Captain Joseph Marion Maricelli, 84, of Merryville, LA, passed from this life on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Joe Maricelli was born to Ray and Florence Maricelli on December 06, 1939 in Merryville, LA. He graduated from Merryville High School in 1957. He was awarded a football scholarship to Northwestern State College (now NSU) in Natchitoches, LA. He enrolled at NSC where he played football in the positions of fullback and halfback and joined ROTC. He was named All Gulf States Conference team while at NSC. He married Rosalind Jeans in July 1959. They had their first child, Neal, in April 1960. Their second child, Yvonne, was born in April 1962. Joe graduated from NSC with a bachelor’s degree in 1962.
David J. Rolczynski
1942 ~ 2024
Captain David Joseph Rolczynski, 81, of Enumclaw, Washington, died peacefully at home July 30, 2024. He was born November 1, 1942 in Missoula, Montana to parents Joseph and Jean Rolczynski.
Dave led an extraordinary life, filled with love for his family and friends, a career that took him around the world, and a thirst for knowledge that shaped his entire life.
Dave was a curious kid. From asking his friend’s mom for her oatmeal cookie recipe at 4 years old, to disassembling his parents’ clocks, building ham radios from spare parts, and even attempting to make grenades in the basement, Dave loved anything exciting and mechanical. He thrived on the satisfaction of learning how the world works. As a teen, he built hot rods to drive his friends around, and after conquering automobiles, his next goal was to build an airplane!
William Marchessault
1948 ~ 2024
William "Bill" Marchessault, age 75, NWA Flight Attendant and RNPA Member, died July 25, 2024 from complications with Lewy Body Dementia. Bill is survived by sister Tessa, brothers Patrick, Steve and John, many nieces and nephews, an abundance of cousins, and an amazingly large group of loving friends. Bill is the eldest of seven children of Bob and Marge who made Minnesota their home after Bill's birth in California.
Raised in Bloomington, he was in the first graduating class of Kennedy High School, served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, and later earned an Associate Degree in Business at Normandale College.
Bill joined Northwest Airlines in 1973, when men were just beginning to work as flight attendants. Using his business background, with approval of the airlines, he developed a line of NWA logoed accessories and clothing which became a must have by the company employees. He continued his career as Northwest merged with Delta Airlines and retired after 47 years as a flight attendant. Bill was a collector of artifacts from the 30s,40s and 50s, including items from NWA's past, which prompted him to become one of the founding members of The Northwest Airlines History Center where he served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for 20 years.
Bill was always a gentleman, kind to everyone, dressed impeccably, had a great sense of humor, and would do anything to contribute to the well-being of his family and friends. Bill has packed his bags one last time for a non-return layover with our Creator. Our loss is great, but we have gained an angel in heaven to help guide us. Bill is preceded in death by his father Robert, mother Margery, sister Mary Ann, and brother Michael.
Memorials preferred to Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Northwest Airlines History Center at 10100 Flying Cloud Drive, STE A306, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. A memorial Service was held on August 08, 2024.
To send flowers to the family of William James Marchessault, please visit Tribute Store.
(-Marchessault family)
Floyd L. Creekmore
1940 - 2023
Captain Floyd Larry Creekmore passed away December 27, 2023, in Kalispell at the age of 83. Julie Ann, his loving wife and soul mate of 57 years, passed away at the age of 80, less than four months later, on April 15th at their home on Echo Lake.
In 2019, Larry underwent surgery in Kalispell for a neuroendocrine tumor located in his small intestine. Sadly, the initial surgery involved numerous complications which required many subsequent surgeries leaving him in an ICU stay for 8 weeks, plus an additional four weeks at the Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital before finally returning home. For the next four and half years, he battled the resulting complications of his many surgeries. He was a true fighter until the end.
Julie Ann was a tremendous caregiver and took wonderful care of Larry during those four and half years. She was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer) a month after Larry's passing and was gone less than three months later. Larry and Julie Ann were amazing people who touched so many lives of those who knew them. They will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
James Philip Miller
1943 ~ 2022
Captain Philip Miller, age 79. Philip was born in Chinook, Montana to Henry and Marguerite Miller, the eldest of three children. The family moved to the Kona Ranch outside of Missoula, Montana in 1957.
A precocious boy, he would pack into the Bitterroot Mountains on horseback spending several days tending to his many traps. Or he could be found in the cowboy bunkhouse tearing into an in-operative radio or television set. His father had worked for Lockheed pre-WW II. There was always an airplane around the ranch, and someone to “give the kid” a ride. Later, Philip would log flying hours over that same terrain while spotting cattle that had wandered away from the herd.
Employment at Johnson’s Flying Services in Missoula, Montana enabled Philip to pay for his initial flight training and earn his private license shortly after his 16th Birthday. His passion for flying had begun. The time spent in the cockpit nurtured his eagerness to become an airline pilot, along with his desire to sit in the left seat of “the biggest and the best”. From a PA-11 Cub to the “Queen of the Skies”, he never surrendered that goal. He returned to Johnson’s building more flight time in one of the front seats of the C-47 (DC-3) firefighting, hauling cargo, and spraying for insects…
He attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana and the US Naval Academy in Maryland. His time at Annapolis was cut short with the untimely death of his father. Returning to Montana to work the ranch and fulfill several government road building projects, he graduated from Montana State University in 1965, remaining in the US Navy reserve until 1967.
David Phillips Good
1942 – 2024
Captain David Good, age 82, passed away at Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte, Florida on January 27, 2024. Dave was born in Minneapolis, MN, on January 8, 1942, before moving to Pittsburgh during WWII and then on to Chicago after WWII. Dave’s younger brother, Bill, was born in Pittsburgh because their father worked for Westinghouse on the Manhattan Project. They both grew up in Chicago and attended North Park Academy. Dave graduated in 1960 and Bill in 1963. Both were competitive athletes and won many medals and trophies as speed skaters. Dave was the best big brother imaginable.
After a short tenure in community college, Dave enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 1961. He completed USMC basic training at the Recruit Depot at San Diego, CA. Thereafter, he was sent to NAS Memphis for Avionics Technician training. While there he learned about and applied for the Marine Aviation Cadet (MARCAD) program. He was eventually accepted into Naval Aviator Training as a MARCAD. This training was all conducted in Pensacola and included the T-34 at NAS Saufley, the T-28 at NAS Whiting, followed by multi-engine and instrument training in the TC-45J back at NAS Saufley.
Gary Grant McGahuey
1941 ~ 2013
Captain Gary McGahuey, age 82, passed away on December 24, 2023. Before moving to The Villages [Central Florida] more than 20 years ago, he lived in Minnesota, where he was a pilot for Northwest Airlines.
Gary joined NWA on July 10, 1967. Throughout his 35-year career at Northwest, he flew every airplane model the airline had, before retiring as a Captain of 747s. Prior to becoming a commercial airline pilot, Gary served in the Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.
While his career had him very busy traveling around the world, he found time to serve on the Woodbury Parks and Recreation Commission. In his role he advocated for new parks in the community and helped design a new golf course, a sport he enjoyed throughout his life.
Gary thoroughly enjoyed living in The Villages. Here he was very active golfing, both playing and umpiring softball, and running. In fact, he completed his first marathon at age 70.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Clarine, his kids, Clarissa and Grant, his son-in-law, Matthew, and his grandkids, Caryss and Logan.
( - McGahuey Family)
Bill Current
1940 ~ 2023
Captain Bill Current, age 83, of Bloomington, MN passed away unexpectedly on October 17th, 2023. Bill was the youngest of three children born to William and Bertha Current in Harrisonville MO. His father was employed by TWA as a mechanic.
As a high school student Bill was highly focused on football. After high school graduation Bill enrolled at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. The college is a church school and was founded in 1849. As a college student Bill concentrated on physics and football. Upon graduation, with his college degree in hand, Bill began a career as a high school physics teacher. However, passions for flying were still calling.
It must have been difficult on a teacher’s salary, but somehow Bill acquired his FAA licenses and accumulated the flight time needed for airline employment. His fortitude paid off on September 5, 1967, the he began his 32 year career with Northwest Airlines.
Bob Jondahl
1923 ~ 2023
Captain Robert Jondahl, age 100, passed away Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at his home in Edina, MN. Bob was born Nov. 25, 1923, in Glasgow, Mont., to Norwegian immigrants Sverre and Tomine Jondahl. He had one sibling, a younger brother Leonard Jondahl.
In his youth he helped his parents in the Jondahl Bakery, however, by high school age you couldn't keep him away from the local airport. Flying became his lifelong passion, earning his CAA Private Pilot's license from the Etchart-Markle Flying School at age 16. After graduating from Glasgow High School, Bob attended the Helena School of Aeronautics. Completing his intended training at Helena, Bob moved south to Billings for instrument flight training. Billings turned out to be a great resource for Bob, there he acquired his CAA Commercial Pilot License, Instrument Rating, plus an Instructor Rating. With his CAA certificates in hand, Bob set out to acquire flight time instructing at various flying operations in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
Wayne Spohn
1932 ~ 2024
Captain Wayne Spohn, age 91, passed away at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington. He was born in Niles, KS and after his parents moved to a farm near Culver, KS, he attended grade and high school there. Wayne was a good student; he especially enjoyed sports and spent no small amount of time at home doing farm chores. There were eight children in the Spohn family, Wayne was in the middle of the clan, and they all grew up on the Kansas farm.
Wayne wanted to be a Navy pilot and in pursuit of that objective he joined the Navy Reserve program at Olathe, KS while attending Kansas Wesleyan University. In August 1954, after two years of college, Wayne entered USN active duty as a Naval Aviation Cadet. His military and flight training began at the traditional NAS Pensacola, FL. After primary flight training, Wayne was transferred to NAS Hutchinson in Kansas for advanced flight training. At NAS Hutchinson he acquired his USN Commission and Navy pilot “wings of gold”. After his initial active-duty assignments, Wayne stayed in the Navy Reserve program retiring as a Commander.
Keith L. Deaver
1923 ~ 2023
Captain Keith Deaver, age 100, died on December 23, 2023. Keith was born on July 6, 1923 on his grandfather’s farm in Nebraska in the same house where his mother was born. He was raised in Des Moines, Iowa but from the time he was 12 years old, he would spend two months at his grandfather’s farm in Nebraska each summer. His job there was herding the milk cows along the rural roads for feed, helping with the milking twice a day, and helping with other jobs especially during haying and grain threshing times. He also kept his grandmother supplied with corn cobs for the cook stove.
Chane Howard
1940 ~ 2023
Captain Chane C. Howard, age 83, passed June 29th, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Chane was born on April 6, 1940 in Idaho. His father was US Army Colonel Ward C. Howard of Washington. His mother was Martha K. Howard of Idaho.
Chane graduated from high school in Joliet, Illinois. It was during high school that Chane met his future wife, Judith “Judy” Hord. Straight out of High School Chane went to Washington D.C.'s Sullivan School, a military academy and college prep school and then attended Penn State University. Like many of his Northwest Airlines (NWA) colleagues, Chane opted to enter the Naval Aviation Cadet Program (NAVCAD) at NAS Pensacola Florida. His initial military and basic flight training were completed at NAS Pensacola, but his specific jet and multiengine flight training followed at NAS Meridian Mississippi, and NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Chane was awarded his wings and gold bars at NAS Corpus Christi.
Stephen D. Towle
1932 ~ 2023
NWA Captain, Stephen D. Towle, age 91, of Orono, MN passed away on December 14, 2023. Born on June 16, 1932, in Winnetka, IL, he was the third child of Julia and Julius Towle. Steve grew up in Winnetka, Illinois, and graduated from New Trier High School. During his teen age years, he earned the Eagle Scout rating. He also earned a degree at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA, while completing the Air Force ROTC program at Coe College. Upon college graduation Steve was commissioned a 2/Lt. in the US Air Force.
After completing USAF pilot training and earning his silver wings, Steve was further trained in the F-89 Northrup Scorpion as required to be a fighter interceptor pilot for the Air Defense Command (ADC). ADC assigned Steve to Otis AFB at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. During this era, the fighter interceptor crews on the Atlantic coast saw their share of hostile intercepts provoked by Soviet probes of our air defenses. His fellow pilot and wingman, Chuck Leonard, said that in the Air Force, “No one ranked above him in terms of skillful performance as an aviator.”
Chuck Rogers
1942 ~ 2024
Captain Charles Stanley Rogers II, age 82, was born on March 12, 1942, in Jersey City, NJ to loving parents Blanche and Charles and big sister Carol.
Growing up in Fort Lee, the backdrop of NYC, he learned that he loved family trips to remote Roscoe, NY, more than the subway ones into Manhattan. He attended the grade school across the street, saw the Yankees games with his dad and played high school basketball at All Hallows High School in the Bronx. Further afield, he attended St. Michael’s College in Vermont where his ROTC program led him to graduate as an officer in the United States Air Force.
His commission landed him in the remote border town of Laredo, TX, where he trained jet fighter pilots on the Northrop T-38 Talon. Laredo turned out to be a prime location to further the love of hunting he learned from his uncles in upstate New York, a perfect spot to test the limits of his Corvette, to taste the exquisite combo of enchiladas and a Dr. Pepper, and a great place to make enduring friendships.
