~ IN MEMORY ~
WA/DL Capt. Richard A. ‘Dick’ Deeds
February 16, 1934 ~ August 6, 2021

Dick joined Western Airlines  01-20-1964 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1994, based 030/LAX at the time of his retirement.  Left to mourn Dick’s passing are his wife Mary Ann, his sons, and many more family members, friends, and colleagues

From his son, Ken’s Facebook page:  “It’s with the heaviest of hearts I post my father, Captain Richard A. Deeds, passed yesterday at the age of 87 after a long battle with several health problems.   I don’t know if there are words in life for when we lose someone that loves us as much as my father loved me and our family.  His final months were not easy and his passing was also a blessing at this point as he was in great pain and had no chance of ever leaving a hospital bed.   To quote my father, “Getting old isn’t for pussies.”   My father loved to fly.  If you never were in the cockpit with my dad I don’t know if you really knew the man.  His love for flight started from the first day he saw an airplane.  He learned to fly by going to the airport in Erie, PA, and cleaning and fueling planes for people.  They’d then sometimes take him and up and that’s how he learned.   He worked on the original black box recorder for aviation and has a wall full of awards for his work and dedication to airline safety.  At the top of those was the Rare Bird award from ALPA (pilots union) which was for the single person that did the most for airline safety in a year.  My dad’s concern and care for the passengers and other pilots were second to none.  He was lucky in that he spent his life doing what he loved the most for work.    I really don’t know what happens afterlife but I pray my father is just flying an airplane somewhere.   It’s what he was born to do. My father accomplished so many things in his lifetime it’s hard to list them here.  He served during the Korean War, he became an accomplished computer programmer after retiring from flying, he could make a speech like few people ever can, and he was one of the first people to survive a full kidney removal in the 1950s.   But among his accomplishments, his love for me, my brother, and our family were probably his greatest.  You couldn’t ask for someone to care more about their family than he cared about us.   You might match it, but you just can’t care more than he did. I thank you dad for all the great times and memories.   I wish your passing was easier for you and once again I just hope you are flying an old biplane through the clouds.  I love you and we’ll all miss you.   The earth is a quieter and duller place without you.”

Obituary at Lasting Memories

Obituary at PCN Flight West

Condolences may be sent to the family at:

 6555 Gillis Drive, San Jose, CA 95120.

Obituary:  Richard “Dick” Deeds

Richard Austin Deeds passed away on August 6, 2021, in San Jose. He was born in Erie, PA on February 16, 1934, to Leonard and Grace (Klenk) Deeds. He graduated from Cathedral Prep in Erie, joined the Navy, and after returning from the Navy moved to Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from Northrop Institute of Technology in 1955 and went to work at Fairchild. After Fairchild, he taught at Northrop Institute in Inglewood, CA and honed his flying skills, and became an airline pilot with Western/Delta Airlines. He was the regional air safety coordinator for the Airline Pilots Association for many years, a member of QB San Jose hangar, and after retirement worked for AOPA. Predeceased by his parents, a brother Leonard, a sister Joyce Figurski and granddaughter Jeanne Deeds Green. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, sons Ken (Dina) Whitefish, MT, Rick (Nancy) grandson Rich (Melinda) and former wife Agnes Deeds all of Tracy, CA, and many nieces and nephews.

~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Lawrence ‘Larry’ David Smith
January 11, 1938 ~ June 20, 2021 

Notification with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Larry Smith, age 83.  Captain Smith joined Western Airlines 02-24-1969 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based 030/SLC.  He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughters plus many more dear family members and close friends.  Obituary information is available online at River View Abbey Funeral Home.

For those who may wish to contact the family, that address as listed on white pages is: 
3617 County Road 106, Elizabeth, CO 80107.

Thanks to Carol Faulkner for sharing the information.

Obituary:  After a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Lawrence D. “Larry” Smith went home to be with his Heavenly Father on June 20, 2021. Larry was born to Lawrence and Margaret Smith on January 11, 1938, in Whittier, CA.  In the early 1960’s Larry was living in Colorado and met Mary Schroeder. They fell in love and married in 1964 having 57 wonderful years together.  They had two daughters Jill and Stephanie.  

Larry knew he liked airplanes at a young age and in 1957 he started Air Force pilot training, beginning a long and wonderful career in aviation.  Larry flew fighters and was a test pilot in the Air Force.  In 1969 Larry joined Western Airlines starting the airline portion of his career with Western then Delta Airlines.  After retiring from the airlines, Larry joined Sky Fighters in Englewood, CO, flying aerobatics with people wanting a military dogfighting experience.  Larry loved sharing aviation with friends and family. He never turned down a chance to take someone that expressed an interest in aviation, flying.  He also taught Sunday school and bible study, volunteered for the Food Bank and prison ministry, and was a founder of Harvest Bible Church in Elizabeth, Colorado.  Larry also enjoyed riding horses, swimming, reading, singing, and spending time with his family. 

Larry loved The Lord and was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and friend.  He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughters Jill and Stephanie, son-in-law John, sister and brother-in-law Linda and Jim Laing, sister Sharon Mair, numerous brother and sisters in law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.  He will be missed. 

A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Riverview Abbey, in Portland, Oregon, and a memorial service will be held at Harvest Bible Church in Elizabeth, CO at a later date.  

Robert “Bob” G. Schindler of Palm Beach, Florida passed away on the 2nd of August, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 20, 1936, in San Antonio, Texas to Moritz and Hazel Schindler.

He lived his married life in Apple Valley, CA, Sandy, UT, Las Vegas, NV, and Palm Beach, FL. Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1962. After his honorable service, he went back to school and graduated from the University of Arizona. He completed the Aircraft Maintenance Program at Long Beach City College. Afterward, he became a pilot for Western Airlines and later with Delta Air Lines. He enjoyed flying for 30 years. He served as a Line Check Airman on the Boeing 757/767 before retiring from Delta’s Salt Lake City base.
While flying for Western Airlines, he met a beautiful and vibrant flight attendant named Patty Davis, of Los Angeles, CA. They were married on November 20, 1970, and they enjoyed an undying love for each other for almost 51 years. They were blessed with three children. Bob’s memory will live on with his wife, Patty; his sons, Rob, Patrick, and Michael; his brother, Eddie; his sister’s, Lily, Clara, and Ruthie; his seven grandchildren and his nephews and nieces.

A funeral and burial service will be held on August 13, 2021. Service will be at 10 am at the chapel of Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park located at 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, UT 84065

Thanks to Carol Faulkner and retired Captain Greg Chakerian for this information

~ IN MEMORY ~

Jo Ann Reisinger, wife of WA/DL Capt. Larry Reisinger

September 1943 ~ June 17, 2021

The sad news comes to us from the Reisinger family…..this news with the passing of Jo Ann Reisinger, wife of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Larry J. Reisinger.  Captain Reisinger joined Western Airlines 07-15-1968 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1997, based SLC.  The family tells us that Jo Ann had spine surgery in April and we understand that her passing was due to complications of surgery.  Funeral arrangements for Jo Ann are pending but the interment is expected to be in San Rafael, California.  Should you have questions/concerns or would like to express condolences, Captain Reisinger can be reached by email at casa_pachanga@comcast.net   Thank you,~  Carol, for the PCN https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2021/06/jo-ann-reisinger-wife-of-wadl-capt.html

Notification with the passing of retired Pacific Northern/Western pilot Captain Floyd Donvan Lannoye, age 97.  Captain Lannoye joined Pacific Northern Airways 05-05-1953 and retired with Western Airlines.  He is survived by his wife Doris, his children, and his grand- and great grandchildren.Obituary information for Captain Lannoye is available online at  https://obituaries.dailyiowegian.com/obituary/floyd-lannoye-1082621831Please see below.Thank you,~ Carol for the PCN  https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2021/06/pnawal-capt-floyd-d-lannoye.html

Obituary:  Floyd D. LannoyeBorn March 25, 1924, in Egeland ND. Deceased April 10, 2021, in Puyallup WA. He is survived by his wife Doris of 69 years, his children Kristi Knox, Randy Lannoye, Susan Hansen, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He spent his childhood years in ND and his teen years in the Wenatchee WA area where he was confirmed in the Lutheran church, played varsity basketball and track, and spent his summers working in the apple orchards. His family moved to Port Angeles WA when he was a senior in high school where he won state championships in the high hurdles. He then attended U.W. until his enlistment in the Army Air Corps aviation cadet’s pilot program. He spent time as a first officer on a B-24 during WW II. After the war, he became a flight instructor and an A&E mechanic. His career was as a pilot/Captain with PNA and Western Airlines, retiring after 31 years of service. His hobbies were rebuilding airplanes, hunting, and fishing. To visit his gravesite he’s buried at Tahoma National Cemetery, section Columbarium, plot 3BB-C23. 

LANNOYE, FLOYD DONVAN  

FO   US ARMY AIR FORCES

WORLD WAR II

DATE OF BIRTH: 03/25/1924

DATE OF DEATH: 04/10/2021

BURIED AT: SECTION 3BB  ROW C  SITE 23    TAHOMA NATIONAL CEMETERY

18600 SE 240TH ST KENT, WA 98042-4868

(425) 413-9614

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, WAL Capt. Larry Donald Siddall

March 02, 1931 – February 24, 2020

Belated notice with the passing of Western pilot Captain Larry Donald Siddall, age 88.  Captain Siddall joined Western Airlines 02-25-1961 and was based Denver.  Obituary information for Captain Siddall is available online HERE.

ituary  :  Larry Donald SiddallLink to Larry Siddall’s Service Video (Titled “Larry Siddall funeral”): www.laurensumc.org/Sermons-Devotions

BURIAL – Laurens Cemetery, Laurens, IowaMILITARY RITES – Laurens American Legion and V.F.W.      Larry Donald Siddall was born on March 2, 1931, to Donald and Elna (Sexsmith) Siddall of Laurens, Iowa. When attending school in Laurens, Larry became active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). As a high school senior in 1949, he won the FFA public speaking contest at both the state and 13-state regional level before advancing to the national level where he placed second in the nation and received a scholarship. His speech about farm safety was entitled, “A Hook or a Hand”. In that same year, he was awarded the Iowa Farmer Degree. He also served as northwest Iowa district president of FFA and vice-president in the state FFA association. In 1949, Larry won a scholarship and a trip to the 4-H Club Congress in Chicago as Iowa’s 4-H “safety champion”. He also specialized in conservation in 4-H and was chosen as the delegate from Pocahontas County to go to Camp Mitigwa. Larry also won a state 4-H scholarship for Fire Prevention. During his high school senior year, Larry served as President of his local 4-H club, Swan Lake Huskies, and as an officer in the state 4-H association. He continued with campus 4-H at Iowa State University.      In 1948, Larry won the Iowa state championship of the 1st Annual Tractor Rodeo, winning at the Pocahontas County 4-H Fair before competing at the Iowa State Fair where contestants were judged for skill, safety, and speed. The speaker for this event, which was held in conjunction with the National Plowing Contest, was President Harry Truman.      Larry played the clarinet in small and large groups in high school and in the National FFA Band in Kansas City. At Iowa State University, he was a member of the marching band, orchestra, recording band, and concert band, occasionally performing as a concert soloist. Later in life, he enjoyed playing the clarinet with the Hayseed Orchestra of which his father Donald Siddall and grandfather Ira Siddall were the originating members.      He graduated from Iowa State University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. While at Iowa State, Larry participated in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Arnold Air Society. In the fall of 1953, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and orders for active duty with the United States Air Force. He reported for primary pilot training and received his wings as an Air Force Pilot at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma in the fall of 1954.      During the Korean Conflict, Larry’s unit was called MATS (Military Air Transport Service) located at Travis Air Force Base north of San Francisco, California. He flew troops, passengers, and cargo to Japan, Formosa, and many islands in the Pacific. His plane was a C-124 Globemaster which preceded modern jet aircraft      Upon completion of active duty as a 1st Lieutenant on December 27, 1956, Larry flew for the Air Force Reserve at March Air Force Base while also employed as a commercial pilot until his honorable discharge as a Captain in the USAF on March 19, 1969. Larry was a pilot and a Captain for Western Airlines, which later became Delta Airlines      Upon retirement as a pilot, Larry lived part-time in both Laurens, Iowa, and in San Diego, California. He continued to maintain the farmstead and to look after the family farm business. Beginning in 2013, he enjoyed a retirement community, ‘Brookdale Senior Living’, in San Marcos, California, until his death on February 24, 2020. He was a lifelong member of the Laurens United Methodist Church.  Larry Donald Siddall is survived by his brother Robert, and nieces Patricia Pinter and Linda Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Elna Siddall, stepmother Doris Siddall, and sister Donna Anderson.