~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Roger Juul Tonnesen

October 1, 1933 ~ December 26, 2023

Notice of passing….retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Roger “Rog” Juul Tonnesen, age 90.  Captain Tonnesen joined Western Airlines 06-18-1962 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1993 based SLC.  Captain Tonnesen’s most recent address is listed in whitepages as 161 Hamilton Ct., Los Altos, CA 94022.

Los Altos, CA-Roger Tonnesen, Father, Husband, pilot, and athlete, died peacefully on December 26. He is survived by his daughter Kelli, son Daniel, son-in-law Phil and four loving grandchildren.

Roger was born in Salt Lake City to Chet and Edith Tonnesen and welcomed home by his brother Lorin. He attended Granite High School where he was the quarterback of the football team and also lettered in basketball and baseball. At the University of Utah, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and captained the 1956 basketball team to a berth in the NCAA tournament and made the Sweet 16. The Utes reached #2 in the rankings that year. Roger married Kappa Kappa Gamma sweetheart Diane Dozzi and served in the Air Force as a fighter pilot. After a stint working for his brother at Tonnesen Sprinkler Company he flew commercially for Western and Delta Airlines for 32 years.

The Tonnesen family moved to Los Altos, California in 1968 where Roger and Diane made a nurturing home for the next 55 years, but Roger’s heart never left Utah. He chose to have his remains returned to his native soil.

He became a scratch golfer participating in the US Senior Amateur but didn’t like it as his competitors “weren’t having any fun.”

Roger liked to have fun. He was an optimist, respectful and kind, tipped well and appreciated intellectual challenges. Roger had a quiet, kind and reflective side which he showed relaxing at home and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. The details of his sports achievements, military service, and successful career as a commercial airline pilot showcase a life well-lived, filled with travel and diverse experiences. His dedication to family, as well as his love for golf and the camaraderie he enjoyed with friends, reflects a rich and fulfilling life.

Rog was a good guy and left a positive and lasting impact on those around him.

---

Capt. Tonnesen was widowed in 2019 with the passing of his wife Diane (Mildred Diane Dozzi) he was survived by his daughter Kelli, son Daniel, son-in-law Phil.

Marriage Date :  8 Jun 1956  Salt Lake, UT

Mildred Diane Dozzi

February 16, 1934 – July 9, 2019

Diane Dozzi Tonnesen, Mother, Wife, teacher, life long learner, world traveler and lover of nature died peacefully in her home on July 9 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. She is survived by her husband Roger, daughter Kelli, son Daniel, son in law Phil Pastuhov and four loving grandchildren, Julia Denevi, Catherine Pastuhov, Nicholas Pastuhov and Anika Tonnesen.

Diane leaves a considerable wake brimming with laughter and a deep concern for others. All who remember Diane will conjure a smile when reflecting on their times with her. As a 51- year resident of Los Altos, California she made many friends, and participated actively in the community.

Diane was born in Cherry Hills, Pennsylvania to her father Daniel Dozzi MD and Mildred Schwarz Dozzi. She graduated from the University of Utah with a major in Education and was proud of her life long affiliation with Kappa Kappa Gamma and the Junior League. She married Roger Tonnesen in 1956 and they moved around the country while Roger was serving in the Air Force. As her children left home she kindled her remarkable enterprising spirit and experience as a teacher to initiate a series of classes pertaining to travel and stretching your clothing dollar. While others depended on Diane for sartorial guidance, she took her fashion cues from no one. Her ability to accessorize is legendary.

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, WAL Capt. Dennis “Denny” Putnam

March 3, 1934 ~ December 12, 2023

On December 12, 2023, Dennis (Denny) Putnam finished his earthly journey and passed to his heavenly home. He was born March 3, 1934, in Gunnison, Colo. Soon after, Denny and his folks moved to Phoenix, where a sister and brother were born. In ’44 they moved to Prescott, Arizona, where they were all baptized Catholic, and four years later the family moved to Grand Junction, Colo. Times were hard. In discerning a possible vocation, Denny attended seminary his senior year – as he put it, “it was an interesting year,” but priesthood was not for him.

After starting college, Denny enlisted in the Air Force in ’53, getting his wings in June of ’54, assigned to a special weapons transport squadron with a world-wide mission. At the Officers’ Club, New Years 1957, Denny met Lonnie. His three-day courtship soared into a 66-yr marriage, with three children over the next five years. Denny said his true loves were Lonnie, those three kids, and flying (Lonnie says his true love was flying, flying, flying!).

After leaving active duty, Denny attended Univ of Arizona while looking for a flying job. With none available, he was hired by the FAA as an air traffic controller in the Los Angeles Center. Western Airlines hit the jackpot & hired Denny, who gave them 100% over his 23-year career, flying the western United States, rising to the position of captain, even becoming involved in pilot contract negotiations. The family lived in the country in Parker, Colorado, in the large home Denny designed and built himself.

Once the children were grown and gone, Lonnie & Denny returned to Denny’s childhood town, Prescott, Ariz. They enjoyed years of memorable travel. Especially close to his heart were their trips to Molokai, Hawaii, where Lonnie & Denny were especially blessed by a prayer group in Mauna Loa, and Denny made quite the trek down to Kalaupapa – the leper colony. Many trips were in their own plane, from Alaska to Mexico, and he volunteered flights with Lifeline Pilots and Angel Flight. Sadly, due to his own medical issues, Denny hung up his Western Airlines scarf and goggles in 1984, with a lifetime of almost 30,000 flight hours.

With that door closed, God opened a window, and Denny followed God’s call to ordination as a permanent deacon in 1993, and acquired a masters in Theology along the way. A couple years later, Denny and Lonnie settled in Montrose, Colo, where Denny deaconed at St. Mary Catholic Church and Our Lady of Fatima Mission … again, giving his 100%, assigned as Parish Director, including the responsibilities of building a new church. For Denny’s “dedication and service to the Church,” he was honored with a papal award by Pope Benedict in 2007. (Even the Pope thought our dad was a special guy!) After several attempts at retirement, Denny and Lonnie moved last year to Chandler, Arizona, enjoying the sunshine and being close to loving family.

Denny is survived by his wife, Lonnie; their three children, Greg (Candace), Suzanne/Suzy (David), and Sally; four grandchildren, Becca (Luz), Nevada, Bob, and Westen; and Denny’s brother, Doug Putnam (Sandra). We would be remiss in not adding his beloved numerous granddogs. Preceding him in death are Denny’s mother and father (Mildred Garber Putnam and C.J. “Putt” Putnam) and sister (Debra Putnam Nichols).

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Montrose, on December 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Crippin Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

Denny was a quiet, generous philanthropist. As such, we would encourage you to make contributions to Angel Flight at www.angelflight.com or Hospice of the Valley at www.hov.org in his memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, WA/DL Capt. Edward P. Moore

July 20, 1938 ~ December 12, 2022

As noted in the Nov-Dec issue of the Air Line Pilot magazine’s In Memoriam column, the December 2022 passing of Delta Captain Edward P. Moore.  Edward Paul Moore joined Western Airlines 6-5-1967 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He was based LAX and SLC.

I was not able to find an online obituary.  If anyone has more information, we would love to hear from you.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site

Gravesite : https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/248110300/edward-paul-moore

Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California

Inscription

1STLT US MARINE CORPS

VIETNAM

DFC

Mary Lou (Stuber) Ebrite [1937 – 2023]
Born: July 31, 1937 in Mishawaka, Indiana
Died: November 23, 2023, Thanksgiving night, in Salinas, CA at age 86 years old
She is survived by: Her Daughter Karen Garduno and husband John and sons Matthew and Michael
And her daughter Julie Burbank and husband Stuart and daughter Taylor, and sons Logan and Nathaniel.
Mary Lou grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana. She met her husband Don Ebrite at Purdue University in Indiana, where she graduated with honors in Home Economics. They married in 1959 and for 8 years lived in various states when Don was in the Air Force. During those years their 3 daughters Kathy, Karen, and Julie were born. In 1969, Don finished his service with the U.S. Air Force and moved his family to California to begin his longtime career as a commercial airline pilot with Western Airlines and later Delta Airlines.

The family settled in Westminster, and in 1976 they moved to Villa Park, in Orange County,
California. Mom was very involved in 4-H, Church, Women’s Bible Studies, and Home Ec Club activities.
She also enjoyed crafting, flowers, and trivia. Mom loved people, loved God, and loved her
family.

Mary Lou, Don, and the whole family enjoyed traveling the world, and they did! They loved
learning and experiencing different places and cultures; Karen and Julie have amazing
memories of all of their great adventures together.
Her oldest daughter, Kathy, died in 1988 at the age of 27 years, and her husband, Chris Pitkin, died
five years later; this was a real difficult time for the family. Mary Lou and Don also had great
joy and celebration in adding ‘sons’ to their family through marriages of their Karen to John
in 1988, and Julie to Stuart in 1997.
Don, her husband of just over 50 years. passed away in 2009, and in 2012, Mary Lou moved up
to Salinas (close to Julie), where she spent the last years of her life.
Mary Lou died peacefully the night of Thanksgiving after spending a joyous day surrounded by
her whole family, including both her daughters and all five grandchildren. Although her death
was unexpected, the special day shared was truly a blessing from God and a gift to the
family.
Mary Lou was a bright, shining person, optimistic and enthusiastic, and was always
encouraging others to learn and grow. She loved being involved in many things, as both a
leader and follower, and had a real desire to serve God. She had a deep love for others and
had her own special way of showing it. Mary Lou loved her family and friends and they loved
her.
On Thursday, November 30th, a graveside service for Mary Lou was held at the Santa Ana
Cemetery in Southern California; she was laid to rest next to Don, and nearby to Kathy.
A ‘Celebration of Life’ service to honor our Mom, Mary Lou, will take place after this holiday
season, and in 2024.
A Gift. We are extremely grateful for the gift that Mom had a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. We are thankful for the gift of her life– our Mom and Grandma. We are blessed
beyond measure of the gift of Mom sharing Thanksgiving day with us– together with those
she loved dearly. A Gift of Love.

~ IN MEMORY ~

Western/Delta Flight Attendant Patti Maxey

     1944-2023

Patricia Lee Kennedy Maxey was born in Cleveland, Ohio but grew up with her four brothers in South Charleston, West Virginia.  She had to learn to enjoy playing boy games which gave her the great competitive spirit and “spunk” that remained with her always. After completing high school, she drove herself West to Colorado where the beauty of the mountains captured her and she started a new life. Hired by Western Airlines as a flight attendant in 1967 she embraced the adventurous spirit and travel opportunities that came with that career.  She flew out of Denver, Colorado mostly on Western’s “Islander”  route to Hawaii.  She met and married her first husband in Denver, who later died in a traffic accident. 

She became a very successful Realtor working in Denver and started flying to London when Western was awarded the route. She gave up her real estate business as she joined hands with a Western pilot and moved to Salt Lake City, Western’s new hub. She married Bill Maxey at Ixtapa, Mexico in 1983. 

Boating became a large part of their lives and they decided to live on a lake in Idaho and later, a lake in Alabama where she completed her 30 year flying career internationally with Delta Airlines out of Atlanta. Patti said, “I’ve seen it all from the air now let’s see it from the road”, and the Motorhome lifestyle became the way to go.  All the lower 48, Mexico, Alaska, Western Canada, and the Maritimes were all destinations but the emphasis was on the journey. 

Patti was an outstanding cook who enjoyed large parties not overlooking anything. She had a real talent for oil painting, and a great eye for color, which reflected in the paintings that she produced. She was an avid fly fisherman, and was certified in the ocean in scuba diving. She was a beautiful, snow skier and a member of the ski patrol. She loved to waterski and all water sports of any type. She even tried hang gliding, but disliked the grasshoppers on landing.

She truly embraced the active lifestyle and enjoyed and loved the many people that she came in contact with throughout her life. Patti was always a compassionate and caring person. Not only in words, but in deeds. After seeing a picture of a Vietnamese baby with a horrendous hemangioma covering most of her face, she said that she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. She orchestrated the reconstructive surgery in Madrid, Spain, for the baby. She traveled once to Vietnam to deliver the baby’s medicine and to Spain three times to facilitate numerous operations on the child.

She also trained and became an EMT for her local volunteer fire department helping others in need. She was active for 10 years. She leaves us with great memories, loving life to the fullest.  She was the “real deal” sharing her enthusiasm and love with everyone she met in her journey through life. After a short illness the Lord reached out, and carried her home.  Well done my true and faithful servant. You are truly home now. 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, WA/DL Capt. Robert A. Carollo

December 22, 1942 ~ November 13, 2023

Notice of passing retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Robert “Bob” Allan Carollo, age 80.  Bob joined Western Airlines on 02-12-1973 and retired from Delta Air Lines.  He was based LAX and then DFW/030 prior to retirement.  Bob is survived by his wife Dianne, and by their children and their grandchildren.

Bob was born December 22, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY the son of Alphonsus “Al” and Clorinda “Claire” (Antonone) Carollo.  They moved from New York to Colorado then settled in Sun Valley, CA where Bob grew up surfing and snow skiing.  He graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in 1960.  He went to college at San Fernando Valley State College, earning an Associates and BA degree in Education.

After teaching for a couple of years, he joined the US Navy.  Bob served from 1968-1973 as a pilot on the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War.  He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1973.

His Navy flight training paved a career as a commercial airlines pilot, starting at Western airlines and retiring from Delta after 30 years combined service in 2002.  In 1985 he started a flight training school in Los Angeles, CA called North American Airline Training Group, which he and his wife, Dianne, ran for 11 years.

Bob was passionate about many things; flying, traveling, music, cars, yard work and wood working.  But in later years it was his wife and his grandchildren that brought him much joy, he would light up in their presence.

Bob is survived by his wife of almost 32 years, Dianne (Zilch) Carollo; son, Christian (Rachel) Carollo of Austin, TX; step-son, Chris (Nicole) Richmond of Topeka, KS; step-daughter, Jackie (Tory) Woodard of Bellevue, OH; grandchildren, Jackson and Emily Carollo and Miles Woodard.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will take place on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 4-7pm at the Auxter Funeral Home, 1105 Castalia St., Bellevue, OH. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 11am in the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Southern Care Hospice, 9501 US Hwy 250 N, Ste 2, Milan, OH 44846 or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.com). Bob’s family would like to thank the staff of The Willows and Southern Care Hospice for their compassionate care. Auxter Funeral Home, Bellevue is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared at www.auxterfuneralhomes.com

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Charles Richard Komberec 

March 18, 1947 ~  October 28, 2023

Charles Richard (Dick) Komberec passed away on October 28, 2023, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, where he had received exceptional and compassionate care.

Dick was born in Thompson Falls, Montana on March 18, 1947. From his early beginnings, Dick was a hard worker. Always willing to help provide for his family, one of his first jobs as a young boy was delivering newspapers up and down the hills of Thompson Falls by bicycle, mostly in the snow and in the dark before school. This would lay the groundwork for a lifetime dedicated to never giving up. When he was quite young, Dick’s family moved in search of work across Montana countless times, landing them in Drummond, MT. It was there he read the book “Tall Timber Pilots,” that forever changed his life. He knew what he was born to do. He had to become a Johnson Flying Service mountain pilot.

In his quest to become a pilot, Dick became friends with many of the older local men who knew how to fly, many of whom served during WWII. His father helped Dick, who had no money but had a dream, to convert a late 40’s Ford to haul garbage in Drummond. At 15 years old, he started his first business, earning enough money to pay for flying lessons and to purchase his first airplane at 16. Dick would go on to own dozens of airplanes and helicopters throughout his lifetime, many of which were rare antiques. Flying would be a lifetime passion and a rewarding career.

His first flying job was for Bob Lueck of Missoula Sky Flight in 1965 where he had taken flying lessons. He was an excellent instructor, as he had a natural gift for understanding the mechanics of flight and of aircraft. He taught many young men how to fly and launched several of them on careers in aviation and forming countless lifetime relationships with people he would stay in close contact with for the next 60 years. Once again, Dick’s work ethic would pay off. Soon, Jack Hughes, Bob Johnson’s Chief Pilot, took notice of Dick and admired his ambition and talent at the airport. Dick was offered a pilot position at Johnson’s not long after his 20th birthday As a Johnson pilot, there wasn’t anything Dick couldn’t fly. He would go on to pilot countless rare aircraft, fly backcountry missions, spray in TBM Avengers, drop Smokejumpers out of DC-3’s and become an Air Tanker Pilot in the TBM and A-26 WWII era Firebombers. Some of his most memorable times were the months spent spraying for spruce bud worm in Canada, and he had many stories of those adventures. Dick was an Army Veteran and served 6 years in the Montana Army National Guard. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1974.

In 1975, when Johnson Flying Service was sold, Dick would go on to the next major chapter of his life. In 1977, Dick was hired by Western Airlines. That job would let him experience the glory days of commercial airline flying and allow him to see the world. He would retire from Delta Airlines as an International 767 Captain in 2005. As airlines do, at times there were furloughs. Again, Dick’s work ethic would pay off. He was never without work and always willing to provide for his family. To make a living at these times, Dick would fly various corporate jobs, started his own Part 135 Certificate with a Lear-Jet and sometimes fell back on his next passion in life, heavy equipment operator and, most importantly, gold mining. One job at a time was never enough for Dick. Over fifty years he built countless roads, would fight wildland fire with heavy equipment, and mine for gold. Dick was such an interesting man that over the last few years multiple reality TV films would take notice. Dick and his son Eric got to spend Dick’s last mining season working together filming for the Discovery Channel. Dick and Eric will be featured in the spring of 2024 on the TV program, “Gold Rush Freddy Dodge’s Mine Rescue.” Dick had a lifelong passion for old 35-mm and 16-mm films and old movies that stems back to his childhood memories of running the old projectors at the Drummond theater.

Dick was a self-made historian and preserver of history. In 1994, along with a couple of local friends he founded, invested in, and became a lifetime member of the Board of Directors of the Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula. Dick was committed to preserving the history of aviation in Montana. He co-authored the book, “Tall Trees, Tough Pilots,” with his long-time friend, Kathy Ogren. In 2019, the Museum’s DC-3, N24320, now known as Miss Montana, was being prepared to fly to Normandy, France, to participate in the re-enactment of the Normandy Invasion during World War II. Due to time constraints, repairs and upgrades to N24320 were not completed in time to train all the pilots and co-pilots who would fly to Normandy, so Dick took on a significant financial obligation and purchased an original 1941 Western Airlines DC-3. With this plane, the Museum’s flight crew was able to complete pilot training and complete this historic mission representing all Montanans in Europe. Miss Montana remains a showpiece of the Museum and was dedicated as the “Official State Airplane of Montana” by Governor Gianforte during a ceremony in May 2023 when Dick and Kathy Ogren were inducted into the Museum’s Hall of Fame for their lifetime commitment to preserve of aviation history in Montana.

Always interested in local mining history in Montana, Dick was a fountain of information about gold mining in the Garnet area. In high school, he became friends with some of the old timers who had mined the area during the depression and began purchasing property in the Bearmouth and Garnet areas where he built his dream home. An aircraft hangar and house with a landing strip out the front door made for the perfect place to retire, raise cattle, horses, and dogs and watch his grandchildren grow.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Komberec and Jeanne Doty Whitney, and his youngest brother, Robin Komberec. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jo (Enman) Komberec, his son Eric Richard (Tia) Komberec (Kalispell) and their children, Taylor and Avian, a step-son Jeffrey Dale Wilson (Missoula), and his children, Danica and Chloe. Also surviving are two of Dick’s brothers, Thomas Komberec (Drummond) and Timothy (Linda) Komberec (Athol, Idaho), and his niece and nephew.

A Celebration of Life is planned Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula (5843 Museum Way at the Airport).

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a scholarship account in Dick’s honor, through the Museum of Mountain Flying, which will provide one young, ambitious, hardworking youth interested in a career in aviation with financial assistance to obtain his/her private pilot license while attending high school. This fund will hopefully influence countless young people to chase after their dreams. Contributions to the scholarship fund can be made in Dick’s memory and would be welcome.

Donations should be sent to the Museum of Mountain Flying, P.O. Box 16601, Missoula, MT 59808. Please note on the donation memo line that your donation should be directed to the Charles R. Komberec “High Flight” Scholarship Fund.

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Jerald Clay Burgess

November 26, 1945 ~ August 18, 2023

Notice with the passing of retired Western Airlines/Delta Air Lines captain and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jerald Clay Burgess, age 77.  Captain Burgess joined Western Airlines 05-02-1977 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based 030/LAX.  He is survived by his wife Jan, and by their son Jordan and granddaughter Kamryn.  

Condolences may be sent to the family at:

1709 Morning Dove Lane, Redlands, CA 92373

Jerald Clay Burgess, a proud veteran of the US Air Force, died  August 18, 2023, after a long illness. The son of Guy and Joyce Burgess, Jerry was born November 26, 1945, in Portland Oregon. He grew up in McMinnville, Oregon, graduated from Oregon State University with a BA in Business and was a member of the Acacia Fraternity. He received an MBA from Southern Illinois University.

In 1968, he enlisted in the USAF; after graduating from pilot training, he flew C-123s in South Vietnam. After a successful tour, he was assigned to the C-141 at Norton Air Force Base in California, where he advanced from Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner to become the head of Squadron Standardization. He received numerous accolades, including the Air Medal with Second Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In 1977, he transferred to the Reserve and was briefly returned to active duty in 1990 and 1991 during the Iraqi conflict to serve in the Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations. He valued his service highly and attained the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring in 1997.

He flew for Western  and Delta airlines, retiring as a B-767 Captain after 28 years. Flying internationally and interacting with the crew brought him immense joy. He was always looking out for the safety of the crew and passengers.

In the early ’80s, Jerry met his wife, Jan. They were married in November of 1986 and settled in Redlands, California. Their son Jordan arrived in 1988. Jerry was especially proud of replanting an orange grove that had been original to the property where they lived.

He was a longtime volunteer with he Friends of the A.K. Smiley Library. While serving as President, he revitalized the literacy program. He was a member and past president of the Knights of the Round Table and served as a Flight Captain for the Order of the Daedalians at March Air Base. Jerry was an active member of Trinity Evangelical Church and served on the Redlands Christian School Board.

Affectionately known as “Big Kid” and “Jer-Bear,” he will be missed for his easygoing personality, always offering a helping hand and meeting people with a smile. Jerry loved playing golf, tennis, traveling, solving sudokus, and reading and listening to all kinds of music. He was a loving and supportive husband, a caring dad and great friend. One of Jerry’s joys in life was to entertain in his home.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jan; his son, Jordan (Blythe) Burgess; granddaughter, Kamryn; his sister, Connie (Jim) Holland; his brother, Clark (Val) Burgess; and loving nieces and nephews. He was also a special “Papa” to Josephine and Julia Heede.

A local service honoring his life and private inurnment are pending at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Western Airlines 2023 Worldwide Alumni Reunion

November 13th-15th, 2023 | Mesquite, Nevada

BOOK NOW

CONTACT US

November 13th-15th, 2023 | Mesquite, Nevada

 HOST HOTEL RESORT:  THE EUREKA HOTEL CASINO RESORT

Countdown to this event: 60 days !  Only 2 months away!

We encourage WAL retirees from around the USA to attend this first “systemwide” reunion targeting all who ever worked at Western…

We also want to encourage FRIENDS and FAMILY MEMBERS of Western Airlines to partake!

The price is great (it’s at cost!)… this is a NOT FOR PROFIT affair…

Besides the casino gaming, there are lots of optional daytime activities planned and we encourage participation in them!

Bowling, Pickleball, Cornhole, Golf, and a Mesquite tour with lunch included.

Because of the great transportation shuttle options, there is an affordable nonstop shuttle from LAS to the Eureka Hotel in Mesquite (nonstop!) every two hours booking at St. George Shuttle company…. once at the hotel, we provide transportation to all the daytime activities…. so a rental car is not needed!

St George shuttle also runs the corridor of I-15 from Salt Lake to Mesquite!

The Eureka Hotel has waived the resort fees for our group! RATE is only $119/night.

Convention ticket $170 includes 3 evening parties with entertainment and appetizers on two nights, and the full sit down dinner on the 3rd night!

And of course, this is also a great opportunity for people to bring their Western Airlines memorabilia to share, sell, barter, trade, or maybe raffle off!

ONLY 150 convention tickets are available !

We are about 2 months out… and did not put a deadline on the program to sign up… as i am hopeful that it will fill up before I post a cutoff date!

ALL DETAILS AND SIGN UP INFORMATION : WWW.WALLYBIRDREUNION.COM

Thomas Stark

Volunteer Director

2023 Wallybird Reunion

thomasflys@me.com

801-201-4653

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. John “Jack” Eugene Luinstra

February 24, 1933 ~ September 8, 2023

John Eugene Luinstra, 90, of Thousand Oaks, CA, passed away on September 8, 2023. He was born on February 24, 1933, in Choteau, Montana, to John Luinstra and Opal (Foster) Luinstra.  His birth certificate was signed by Dr. Maynard (Bonna Lee’s grandfather).

John “Jack” was 9 when he lost his father to complications from Tuberculosis. In 1943, Opal Luinstra married Earl Hollar and together they raised Jack, his sister Joan, and their son Robert. They were loving proud parents until Earl’s death in 1974 and Opal’s death in 2002.

Jack married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart Bonna Lee Maynard in February of 1954 and they had two daughters together, Catherine and Christine.  They were loving, devoted, and supportive parents. 

Following his graduation from Choteau High School, Jack joined the United States Navy, where he was stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and served from 1951 to 1953. After leaving the Navy, Jack attended technical school where he earned his A & E Mechanic license and Jet Engine Mechanic license. In 1955, Jack was hired to work for Western Air Lines. In 1957, he was hired as a Flight Engineer and became a pilot in 1960.  He became Captain on June 11, 1969.

Jack proudly flew for Western Airlines until they merged with Delta Airlines and he continued his career as a Delta Airlines captain. He retired as a Captain in February 1993 with his family on board his last flight. Flying was definitely his passion and he loved every minute of it. He always wanted his passengers to have the smoothest flight and landing.

Jack fully enjoyed his retirement with golfing, fishing, and traveling with Bonna Lee. He also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren telling stories that would make you laugh so hard you would cry, even when you heard the stories over and over. Jack shared his great sense of humor with all who knew him.

Jack is survived by his wife Bonna Lee, his daughters Catherine Ann Luinstra-Uster, and Christine Diane Gluzinski, sons-in-law Fred Uster and Mark Gluzinski, as well as his granddaughters, Samantha Gluzinski and Molly Gluzinski, and grandson, Matthew Uster. Jack is also survived by his sister, Joan Nipp, brother-in-law Ron Nipp, and niece Lorrie Tripp.

Memorial services to celebrate Jack’s life will be held on Thursday, October 12th at 10:00 a.m. and burial at 11:00 a.m. at Pierce Brothers ValleyOaks-Griffin, located at 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake CA.

Family and friends are welcome to join the family at Jack and Bonna Lee’s home in Thousand Oaks (4084 Verde Vista Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360) for lunch and to share memories and stories.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Lung Association or a Veteran’s Association

Note : Arrangements and service details are now available for WA/DL Capt. Jack Luinstra. 
The family has extended an invitation and is hoping that friends will join them on October 12^th to celebrate Jack’s life.  The family would appreciate your RSVP….please RSVP to daughter Catherine at catherine.luinstra@gmail.com    or to Capt. Stan Franks at skanks@verizon.net