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!
His desire to build a plane gave him the idea to join Montana Air National Guard, after all why not learn about planes for free? Then, while attending college, a special pilot training program became available. He thought, "I can always go back to school, but this flying opportunity has a very small window.” He got in, and participated in an intense 6 months of multi-aircraft ground school and flight training in Helena, culminating in a commercial pilot's license and instrument rating. With just 180 hours of total flying time, he was hired by Northwest Airlines, and was scheduled to report for Boeing 707 pilot classes on September 13, 1965.
Before his career took off, Dave met a pretty girl while attending college at the University of Montana, and on September 4, 1965, Dave married the love of his life, Linda Ruth Winkler. Remember his start date? The very next day they jumped in their car and honeymoon road-tripped to Northwest’s Minneapolis training center. This trip was just the start of the new couple’s journey of love and partnership that would span almost 59 years. Together, they flew small planes, raised two kids and countless dogs, cats, and sheep, and owned and operated the Lindon Bookstore in Enumclaw, serving the Enumclaw community with warmth and knowledge for nearly two decades.
After almost six months of pilot training at Northwest, Dave received his first bid to the only other base NWA had at the time, Seattle, as a copilot/flight engineer. He was "forced" to Seattle because of his junior status, at just 22 years old. All the older, more senior pilots wanted to remain in Minneapolis to avoid the financial burden of moving their families. But they sure didn’t have to twist Dave’s arm very hard to make him move to the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Except for a year commuting to Minneapolis to fly as a Captain on the Boeing 727, Dave worked the remainder of his career out of the Seattle base. Though he flew domestically for a short time as Captain on the DC 10, the vast majority of his trips were into and around Asia, with an occasional trip to Europe. His last eight years were as Captain on the 747. Unfortunately, Dave was forced into an early medical retirement in 1994.
Beyond his distinguished careers in aviation and entrepreneurship, Dave was the quintessential jack-of-all-trades, a man of diverse knowledge and impressive talents. Much more than just hobbies, Dave’s “avocations” included restoring and collecting vintage model-A Fords and other antique cars, building biplanes (“Starduster Too”), wood-working and metal-working, collecting firearms from around the world, farming both land and livestock, and later in life, crafting award-winning red and white wines from his own estate-grown grapes.
Dave was a Christian. He was deeply involved in his church community, where he found solace and strength alongside Linda. Dave touched many lives at the churches they attended over the years, but one of his greatest pleasures was spending every Friday afternoon with his “Consortium,” a close-knit group of pastors and friends who shared and prayed together, but also smoked cigars and drank bourbon. In his final days, Dave made a point to assure everyone he talked to that he “knew where he was going,” and encouraged them, through Jesus, to join him (and Him) in Heaven someday.
Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, son Christopher, daughter Megan and her family, including son-in-law Greg, treasured grandchildren (and spouses), Jesse (Lydia), Reggie (Kara), Hope (Colton), and Grace (Zach), four adorable great-grandchildren, Cohen, Emmet, Elora, and Marlowe Rose, brother Dan (Takeko) and sister Jeanne (Bill) and their families, and numerous extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.
A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at 2pm, August 17, at Wabash Presbyterian Church in Auburn, with on-site reception to follow. All friends of Dave and Linda are invited to attend. Heartfelt recognition to Continuum Hospice Care and Hospitality Home Care for their compassionate service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations be made to Care Net of Puget Sound (supportcnps.org).
( ~ Rolczynski family)