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.
Joe successfully pursued a commission in the US Navy and as an Ensign arrived at NAS Pensacola for pilot flight training. During the next year Joe opted for training with USN Squadron HT-18 at NAS Whiting Field which specialized in helicopter pilot training. Upon completion of his training Joe was awarded his Gold Wings as a Naval Aviator. He was thereafter assigned USN San Diego and the USS Yorktown (CV-10) as an Anti-Submarine Warfare and Search/Rescue Helicopter Pilot. Specifically, he flew the Sikorsky SH-34 Sea Horse and the SH-3 Sea King. In the next few years, he was soon assigned to five different cruises in Vietnamese Tonkin Gulf waters, much at Yankee Station. In these waters they provided support for the USN Aircraft Carriers Task Force TF-77. He was assigned to Helicopter Squadron HS-4. In this capacity Joe participated in the ASW Air Group’s (CVSG-55) rescue of 24 downed aircrew while under hostile fire.
Joe separated from the active Navy in 1967 and was soon thereafter hired by Northwest Airlines as a pilot trainee. After completing his initial training, Joe was qualified as a Second Officer on the Boeing 720/320 based at Minneapolis (MSP). Joe and Sherry resided in Minnesota for a year after training during which time Joe 'flew the line.' After this year Joe was reassigned to the pilot base at Seattle/Tacoma Airport in WA. During his early years at NWA Joe continued with the Navy Reserve flying as a helicopter pilot through 1970.
1967 was a big year for Joe Heye. In addition to launching a lifetime career, he launched an enduring marriage to Sherry Pfleiderer Brown. Sherry was a young widow with 2 children from her previous marriage. Joe and Sherry had 3 more children, and together raised a family of 5 children. Joe was a loving husband and father. He and Sherry were happily married for 57 years.
The newly married couple established a residence in Renton, Washington for the next 7 years. Joe sought after a country life and in 1975 purchased a home in Olympia with 15 acres of farmland. Joe was soon to become a gentleman farmer, no doubt Sherry the resourceful farmer’s wife. They lived on their farmstead for the next 49 years, until the day Joe passed.
Most of Joe’s Northwest Airline career involved flights from the crew base at Seattle. After a few years tenure as a Second Officer, Joe upgraded to First Officer on the Boeing 720/320. As seniority and demand allowed, Joe upgraded to larger aircraft like the DC-10 and Boeing 747. He was to complete his 29-year career as a 747 Classic captain.
Joe enjoyed life on his farm, growing a garden, riding his tractor and feeding the birds and squirrels. With four siblings and five children, Joe had a large, extended family and loved spending time with them. In addition, he was also an avid reader and throughout his life enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards with his relatives, and relaxing with his family at Black Lake.
Joe is survived by his wife, Sherry, son Charles Heye, daughter Lori Grossi (Joe), daughter Kristine House (Kevin), son Kevin Heye (Melissa), daughter Kelly Kolb (Darin), brother Tom Heye, sister Barb Neff and sister-in-law Sue Heye. His surviving grandchildren are Edmund Heye (Lucia), Kora House, Rosa Grossi, Maria Grossi, Claire Heye, Hannah Kolb, Kailey Kolb, Makenzie Kolb, Justin Kolb, Jessie Kolb, and Reese Kolb. He also has 3 great grandchildren Emmett Heye, Emilia Heye and Elliott Heye.
It became obvious to Joe’s airline peers that he served family, country, and employer with exceptional skill and dedication. Joe, we were privileged to know and serve along with you.
(~ Heye Family and Bill Day)