Dean L. Monteith
1941 ~ 2024
Captain Dean Loftin Monteith, age 83, passed away on December 5, 2024, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Dean was born January 8, 1941, in Cando, North Dakota, to Roland and Lucille Monteith. Cando is near Devils Lake, ND. The Monteith family was blessed with four offspring; Dean was number three. His father Roland owned a light aircraft that he used primarily for fox hunting. The aviation bug bit Dean at 6 years old when he had his 1st airplane ride.
Dean graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1959 and went to North Dakota State University at Fargo, ND. Dean was a diligent and hardworking fellow which led him to ‘work his way through college.’ When asked about ‘his college major,’ Dean liked to respond, “Anything to Pass.” While at NDSU Dean completed the Air Force ROTC program earning him a commission in the United States Air Force.
The summer of 1963 reported to Laughlin AFB, Texas for entry into (UPT) Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 65-XF. The XF identifiers turned out to be an experimental program to turn out Air Force pilots in 43 weeks rather than the usual 55 weeks. Unknowingly Dean was assigned an intense and challenging training program. Dean flourished and on December 17, 1964, was awarded his Silver Air Force Wings.
Dean’s first permanent duty station after pilot training was Clinton-Sherman AFB, OK. The next four years he served as a KC-135 tanker pilot with Strategic Air Command (SAC). During these military years Dean married his first wife Gail and during their marriage came forth with two daughters Jill (Williams) and Jennifer. Dean’s wife Gail died in 2011.
During these peak Vietnam War years, Dean was deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air Base supporting the 355 TFW (USAF). Returning to the mainland USA, Dean elected to separate from the active forces. His next military affiliation would be with the Minnesota Air National Guard and the 133rd Airlift Wing at Minneapolis.
The Northwest Airlines General Office was within walking distance of the Air Guard unit. Dean interviewed with the HR staff at Northwest Airlines and was hired on May 19, 1969. His initial crew training assignment was on the Boeing 727 as a Second Officer (flight engineer). Unfortunately for Dean, his 1969 date of hire was accompanied by significant layoffs. Dean survived and even excelled while serving with the Air National Guard retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
His career progression at NWA started slowly but accelerated toward the end of his NWA career. The progression steps were typical for his base and seniority: from copilot to captain on the Boeing 727, 757, DC-10 and finally the Boeing 747 Classic. During the Gulf War Dean flew military support flights from Saudia Arabia to the US transporting our forces home. The photo below is of a military charter 747 flown by Dean.
Dean went through the ritual of FAA mandatory age 60 retirement by stashing away his flight bag in January 2001.
For several years Dean and his wife Gail owned and operated two coffee shops in Minneapolis. These coffee shops were known as Mocha Tree Coffee Shop, before the arrival of Starbucks.
Dean was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing on courses all over the world. After retirement he flew radio-controlled airplanes and spent many years traveling around the country in his motor home. He also restored and often drove a 1967 Plymouth Fury convertible which he had owned since it was new.
Good fortune again smiled on Dean when he married Linda Lee Babic in 2016. The couple discovered Lake Havasu, AZ where they homesteaded until Dean’s passing this past December. Linda is now in the process of moving to Washington State to be closer to family.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Gail (2011), his sister-in-law Gloria (2009), his brother Larry (2012), and his brother Gerald (2020). He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Jill Williams, his daughter Jennifer Monteith, sister Jeanne Lindsay, sister-in-law Margaret Monteith, and six grandchildren: Matthew, Grace, Hannah, Ethan, Eli, and Henri. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Our friend and colleague was a skilled aviator, a family man, and a leader. We were honored to share many trips with him.
(~Monteith family and Bill Day)