John C. Boyer
1937 ~ 2022
Captain John Clinton Boyer, age 84, of Naples, Florida, died on February 5, 2022. John was the son of John and Reba Boyer, and loving husband of Betty Jane Savard-Boyer.
John said that all he ever wanted to do was fly. As a child growing up in Philadelphia, he was interested in aviation, especially jets, building and crashing many model airplanes. He participated in the US Air Force ROTC program at Penn State University and then served in the USAF from 1959-1967. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. During his service, he was a flight instructor on the T-33, and was also qualified on the F-86, F-102, especially the RF-101 "Voodoo", and was stationed in Europe for four years.
On Dec. 04, 1967, John began a 30-year career with Northwest Airlines. His first aircraft qualification was as a Second Officer on the Boeing 727 at MSP. Most of John’s career was spent based at MSP. His initial captain qualification was on the 727. He followed the typical upgrade patterns at that time; first flying the 727, then the DC-10 and finishing his career on the Classic 747 at Honoluu. John loved flying the 747 and spoke of that experience reverently throughout his retirement.
Curious throughout his life, John enjoyed learning new things; some of which included motorcycles, photography and darkroom, owning horses, flute, banjo, stamp collecting, sailing, zoo volunteer work, juggling, reading, history; (especially the Civil War and World War II), and furniture refinishing.
After his retirement, he continued to fly recreationally and learned computer skills such as simulated flying programs and Excel, the latter of which he used as the secretary of his high school reunion committee.
John was a life-long fan of Penn State football. He was also a fine conversationalist, always ready to lend an ear and a kind word, to share a good laugh, or an interesting observation. As a friend, husband, father, and grandfather, he is already missed by his large family and many friends.
John was survived was survived by his wife Betty Jane (BJ), who died on May 26, of this year, his sons Scott and Paul, stepchildren Chris Rossett, Cindy Payne, Cherie Margarite Stutz and Mark Savard and many grandchildren. He is predeceased by his stepchildren William, Gary, Robert, Henry, and Betty Jane.
Those of us who flew with John fondly remember him as being a most fine fellow and an expert aviator.
(~ Bill Day)
William Borger Plehal
1937 ~ 2023
Captain William Borger Plehal, 85, of Land O' Lakes, Florida passed away from aggressive, onset Cancer, on Friday, April 14th, 2023, surrounded by family. William was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1937 to parents William and Annie Sophia Plehal.
As a teenager, Bill attended Minnesota’s Hopkins High School where he was the hockey goalie and loved the Minnesota North Stars. He enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SD. At age 19 he attended a Church social for College Students in Rapid City, SD, and it was there he met his future wife, Chyree Fillingham. Bill volunteered for USAF pilot training as an Aviation Cadet.
Jacob J. Braig
1937 ~ 2023
Captain Jacob J Braig, age 85, passed away in his hometown hospital at Whitefish, MT of natural causes and at peace. Jake, the son of Mary and Tony Braig, grew up on a 155-acre farm where he lived the good life in the 50’s with younger brother Robert, his Voermans relatives, and lots of friends.
Jake was a good high school student; he was neat to the point of being meticulous and accurate in details. He was also a high school track star who worked seasonally as a fireman for Great Northern Railroad and as a clerk at Van Aken’s clothing store. After high school Jake spent one year at Bozeman before transferring to the University of Montana where he excelled. While at the University of Montana Jake was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. A history and political science major he sharpened his vast intellect and honed his skill set to later become a 747 captain and two-star General.
After college graduation Jake was called to Air Force active duty and reported to Harlingen AFB, TX, deep in the Rio Grande Valley, for Undergraduate Navigator Training. Navigator training consisted of many training flights crisscrossing Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico. After graduation Jake was assigned to Radar Observer training at James Connally AFB, Waco, TX. This training was a precursor to returning to the Montana Air Guard fighter interceptor unit at Great Falls, MT serving in the backseat of a F-89.
Claud L. (Les) Johnson
1925 ~ 2023
Captain Claud Leslie (Les) Johnson, age 98, was born in Taylor’s Falls in 1925 and grew up in Shafer, Minnesota where he was the youngest of five children. He walked through a wooded lot to the Shafer elementary school and later attended Chi-Hi where he played basketball and 6-man football. To make ends meet during the Depression, Les’s family raised guinea pigs in their basement and would sell the ‘pigs’ to the University of Minnesota.
Les fell in love with Lillian Bloom when he heard her sing with the Junior Mission Band of Center City Lutheran Church. Les saw stars when Lillian sat next to him in the back seat of the bus going to High School basketball games. Les’s mom rode in the front of the same bus, as a chaperone.
During World War II, Les enlisted in the Navy and he loved it. He appreciated the structure and three-square meals a day. This was where Les learned to fly airplanes, following in the footsteps of his older brother Darrel. Sadly, Darrell was killed while serving on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
Robert Aaron Wolf
1937 ~ 2023
Robert Aaron (Bob) Wolf, 85, of Fort Myers, FL and Apple Valley, passed away April 21st in hospice near his home in Fort Myers, with his family and friends by his side.
Born in Paterson, NJ on May 28, 1937, he was the son of the late Harold Wolf and Lilian Weiss Wolf. Mr. Wolf was preceded in death by wives, Suzanne Wolf Dionne and Adrianne Kelfer Wolf; and brothers, Jack (Myra) and Martin. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Wolf (Ken) Hawkinson of Lakeville, MN; grandchildren; Nicholas Hawkinson and Sarah Hawkinson; sister, Andrea Wolf (Jay) Kalish; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bob Wolf is a graduate of Fairlawn High School (NJ). He then enlisted in the US Air Force and attended Aviation Cadet Pilot Training. Upon successful completion, Bob was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded silver wings in June 1959. While on active duty he was stationed in Goose Bay AB, Labrador, Canada; Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS; Mather AFB, Sacramento, CA; and Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK.
Melden B. Suggett, Jr.
1933 ~ 2023
Captain Melden ‘Mel’ Suggett, Jr., age 89, died February 12, 2023, after a long struggle with dementia. ‘Mel’ was born and raised in a rural setting near Woodland, California. His father, Mel Sr., was a rice grower working fields that would today be visible from the airport traffic area at Sacramento Airport.
Mel was a good student and an excellent athlete. His athletic skills at Woodland High School won Mel accolades at All State high school competitions and a scholarship to Olympic College in Bremerton, WA where he studied Forestry. Like many other future aviators, upon acquiring two years of college credits Mel applied for USAF Aviation Cadet pilot training. After preflight at Lackland AFB, TX Mel did well in Primary and Basic Flight Training. Completing the Aviation Cadet flight training, Mel was commissioned and rated as a USAF pilot. From Texas he traveled north to Tinker AFB, OK for C-124 Globemaster transition training. With transition behind him, Mel reported for operational assignment to the 62nd Troop Carrier Wing at McChord AFB. This began a long-time association with aviation centered in the Seattle/Tacoma area.
James Edward Swanson
1940 ~ 2022
Captain James Edward Swanson, age 81 of Eagan and Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2022, after a valiant battle with acute pulmonary problems...
Jim was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on March 19 1940, to the late Edward and Vera (Fearing) Swanson. The oldest of five children, Jim grew up in nearby Florence and Wabeno, Wisconsin where his father worked as a baker. As a young lad Jim worked alongside his father in the bakery. He attended Wabeno High School where he was known as a well-rounded student having participated in almost every sport and school activity including basketball, football, band, choir, glee club, and student council.
It was natural for Jim to go on to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison. As these were the years of mandatory ROTC, he opted for Air Force ROTC. During his senior year Jim received FAA approved training in light aircraft as a prescreening for USAF Pilot Training. The same week he received his BA degree in political science, he was also commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserve.