~ IN MEMORY ~

Dr. Mary Jane (Miggie or M.J.) Hamilton, wife of WA/DL Capt. David L. Reed

April 26, 1939 – June 17, 2023  

Dr. Mary Jane (Miggie or M.J.) Hamilton, died at home, Carmichael, CA, in her bedroom, overlooking the American River at age 84. The cause of Miggie’s death was obstructive pulmonary failure caused by double lung pneumonia.

Miggie was born and raised in a traditional Irish Catholic family in Rockford, Illinois. Her mother, Mary Jane Cannell Hamilton was a school teacher and her father Raymond Edward Hamilton retired from the U.S Postal Service. Miggie attended St. Mary’s and Muldoon High School in Rockford.

One of MJ’s most coveted Honors was:

“Doctor of Humane Letters, honors causa conferred upon Mary Jane Hamilton May 4, 1986 by Siena Heights College, Adrian Michigan:

Mary Jane Hamilton, your dedication to high quality education and your concern that women be given every opportunity to fulfill their potential was nourished here at Siena where you received your Bachelor of Arts degree in history with minors in Latin, English, and music. You then received your masters and doctoral degrees in medieval history from the Catholic University of America where you were a Woodrow Wilson Fellow.

You began your teaching career in the California State University system at Sacramento where you taught history and criminal justice until 1979. You also served the University through your activity as officer in the Faculty Association and the Faculty Women’s Association.

You completed a law degree at the University of California-Davis and have been a member of the State Bar of California since 1975. You have maintained your commitment to education by teaching criminal justice and law. After an administrative fellowship at California State University-Los Angeles, you assumed duties as assistant dean of the law school at the University of California-Davis.

Your talents have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Humanities which provided a grant to study at Harvard and by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare which awarded you a National HEW Fellowship.

Your activities and publications speak of your concern for the effect of law on the status of women: you are concerned that women know their rights; you have specialized in family law which has an important impact on women’s lives today; you have also been involved in issues affecting women attorneys.

Mary Jane Hamilton, for your commitment to the quality education of future lawyers and for your activities on behalf of women, Siena Heights College is proud to present you the degree Doctor of Humane letters, honoris causa.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even as a lawyer, Deputy Attorney General, State of California, (specializing in child support), MJ continued to nurture her love of history. She taught a night class on the History of Western Civilization at Sierra College and remained an active participant in the annual meetings of the American Historical Society. She was present at Martin Luther King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. She was in the crowd of over 1 million witnessing the funeral procession of President John F Kennedy on November 25, 1963 during her time at Catholic University.

Miggie traveled extensively, with her best friend/spouse Western/Delta Air Line Captain and “Wingman” (her term) Dave, and many family and friends, immersing herself in different cultures and indulging in her passion for art, history, symphony, opera, theater, ballet, and literature. She actively participated in multiple book clubs. In her retirement years, MJ volunteered as a docent at the Crocker Art Museum and enjoyed serving on the board of the Kingsley Art Club. She was a member of Preservation Sacramento.

One of MJ’s proudest achievements was to see the first class at UC Davis School of Law admit over fifty percent women when she was on the Admissions Committee for admitting law students. She was a President of WLS, and on the Board of California Women Lawyers, as well as an active Member of Sacramento County Bar Association.

Miggie is predeceased by her siblings John, Sheila, and Joseph. She is survived by her “Wingman” and Spouse, Captain David L Reed, her sister Anne Rosaire Hamilton, and her nieces Carlene Ramus, Dr. Catherine Ramus (Dr. Didier Cossin), Christina Ramus (Brett Regan), Dr. Carrie Hamilton (Dr. Patrick Lenaghan), and Chris Svab (Jamie). She is also survived by her great-nieces and great-nephews, Madison and Michael Regan, Clark Cossin, Anna Svab, and Miranda and Ian Lenaghan.

Miggie has donated her body to science through UC Davis School of Medicine for the purpose of education and research.

A memorial celebration will be held at the Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street, Sacramento from 2pm to 4:30pm. Sunday, June 25, 2023

Remembrance Memorials can be made to the Crocker Art Museum, Kingsley Art Club or Siena Heights College, Adrian Michigan

Remembrance Memorials can be made to the Crocker Art Museum, Kingsley Art Club or Siena Heights College, Adrian Michigan

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Duane Dennis Chapman

November 4, 1934 ~ May 12, 2023

Notice of passing……retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Duane Dennis Chapman, age 88.  Born I believe in Iowa, raised I believe in California, Duane joined Western Airlines 05-01-1962 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1994, based LAX/030.  Duane was widowed in 2012….please see wife Nancy’s obituary below. 

To the best of my knowledge, Duane is survived by their son Kerry.

Please drop us a line so that we may add to Duane’s life story and thank you very much.

Duane Dennis Chapman

BIRTH  :  4 Nov 1934

DEATH  :  12 May 2023 (aged 88)

BURIAL  :  Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, Ventura County, CA

PLOT  :  Section IS, Lot 136, Grave 11

MEMORIAL ID  :  255455888

Nancy Chapman Obituary

Nancy Grayce Chapman entered the courts of her Lord King Jesus, on the Lords day July 8, 2012.

She temporarily leaves behind, her beloved husband of fifty-six years, Duane; their only child and son, Kerry; his wife Kyra; and their daughter, Nancy’s much adored grandchild, Noelle Grace.

Nancy was born in Waterloo, Iowa in March of 1937. Her father, a minister of the Gospel of Christ, moved the family to California to pastor a church; but not without a neighbor lady and her young son Duane. The two families were loosely connected over the years, and Nancy did not escape Duane’s notice. The rest is history, as they say.

Both Nancy and Duane were involved over the years in the work of sponsoring Vietnamese family members’ into America. One such family, the first to start the process for others, are established in Camarillo, the Quan’s; Quan, Kim, Yun, and Nickie. They were much loved by Nancy. She was also involved in several church choirs over the decades, and was known to have a beautiful voice. Both she and her granddaughter Noelle enjoyed singing hymns together at the piano. Now she’s singing along with a heavenly chorus, we’re sure.

Our hope of being reunited with her is established in the same historical evidences that she herself embraced and trusted in; the life work of Christ on our behalf; the punishment He took in our place which we ultimately deserved; and the genuine hope given through the resurrection that sealed the deal. We are therefore assured of our reunification one day, not yet disclosed. See you soon Nancy, Mom, Grandma.

From friends and family we have learned of the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Michael David McGibney, age 79.  Mike joined Western Airlines on 02-12-1973 and retired from Delta Air Lines.  He was based SLC and LAX.

Michael David McGibney, 79 years young, passed away unexpectedly while working out in his home gym on May 31, 2023. A Carmel native, born in the old Carmel Hospital on March 5, 1944, he attended local schools, graduating in the CHS class of ‘61. He attended Santa Rosa Jr. College and graduated from San Jose State with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He proudly served as a Top Gun fighter pilot in the Navy’s 7th Fleet. After the Navy, Michael flew for Western and Delta Airlines, retiring after 40 years. He was an avid runner, loved the outdoors, and was a dedicated husband and father. He leaves behind 4 siblings, 3 sons, 4 grandchildren, and a loving wife.

In the early nineties I had an amazing conversation with my father while visiting the huge museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. On this occasion, after walking through a B24 static display, he actually talked about his time flying out of India during WWII. This was the first time he ever talked about his war, so even a mention of mine seemed inappropriate. It wasn’t until my company commander, Arlie Deaton (219th Aviation Company) and my dear friend John Pappas, for whom I flew at the end of my year in Vietnam, passed away that I felt I had permission to, and needed to, talk about the months I spent in the Central Highlands. The result is a memoir about Vietnam, flying for MACVSOG into Laos and Cambodia, flying for Western and Delta Airlines, growing up on Long Island, and learning from a Vietnamese Nun what love really means.

It took five years to write Only the Light Moves. The title is from a poem by Leonora Carrington.”We went down into the silent garden. Dawn is the time when nothing breathes, the hour of silence. Everything is transfixed. Only the light moves.” I had to wait until  the mission I flew, Operation Ford Drum, was declassified, about fifteen years ago, before I could speak about what I did. Within the pages are some of the very best times and many of the very worst times I have ever experienced. I am not political. I pass no judgment on the rightness or wrongness of the war. My opinion on this subject belongs to me. 

The manuscript was purchased by Pen and Sword Publishing, a British company, and is available to pre-order through Amazon. It should be released in early December. I am very proud of what I’ve been able to do, and very grateful for the help I have received from writing groups and workshops, and friends who read my early drafts. I hope you’ll consider reading this.

Order Only the Light Moves on Amazon

Description from Amazon:

Only the Light Moves tells the story of a twenty-four-year-old US Army pilot who volunteered to fly covert S.O.G., or Studies and Observations Group, reconnaissance missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a region that came to represent not only the United States’ war with Vietnam, but also the “secret war” with Laos and Cambodia.

But this is not simply a war story; it is a love story about flying. Captain Francis A. Doherty spent every day for ten months above the jungle battlefield in a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. The first all-metal fixed-wing aircraft ordered for and by the United States Army following the Army Air Forces’ separation from it in 1947, the single-engine Bird Dog was a liaison and observation aircraft. And for this role, it was completely unarmed.

It was from the cockpit of a Bird Dog that Captain Doherty observed this illusive war, perhaps searching out enemy troop movements or calling down waiting F-4 Phantoms to strike a new target. It was a war in which he followed his father’s footsteps in his dream to become a pilot, and where he learned a compassion that extended both to his comrades and the civilians caught in the middle of that terrible war.

In Only the Light Moves Captain Doherty only reveals the highs and lows of his year at war in Vietnam but expands beyond his time in the conflict. He explores the emotional struggle he and his comrades faced after they returned home, reconciliations with lost faith, and the incredible impact of war on families.

We are also given an insight into Francis’ subsequent journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot. His story makes no effort to glorify the violence that took the lives of so many. There are no broad stroke proclamations about the war, only a very personal, sensitive account of a terrible conflict seen through the eyes of a then young pilot in the air, illuminating the reality and the cost of when one’s country decides to go to war.

Frank Doherty also has a story in Vietnam to Western Airlines Volume II

~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, WA/DL Capt. Bruno V. Misevic
August 23, 1930 ~ April 12, 2023

 

BRUNO MISEVIC passed away on April 12, 2023, at home with his family. He was 92. Born in Hart, Michigan, he had 2 brothers, Albert and Martin. He graduated from Hart High School, then joined the Army Air Corps Air National Guard (ANG) 127th Fighter Squadron in White Plains, New York. He went to Fighter Pilot Training at both Big Spring, and Del Rio, Texas. He even met Chuck Yeager. After leaving the ANG, he flew commercial planes for 30 years, before retiring from Delta Airlines in 1990. Bruno had a full life with his 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is survived by the love of his life of 68 years, Fay, and his daughters, Jill and Lori. We miss you! We will hold you in our hearts forever.

A family photo gallery

For those wishing to send condolences, I see the family residence listed in the whitepages:

 1610 Uluamahi Pl.,  Kailua, HI 96734

Our dear Kentucky Belle, Joyce Anne Browne (née Kipp) passed away peacefully on the evening of April 19th in her home in Scotts Valley, California, surrounded by all four of her children and her devoted husband Paul after a valiant battle with cancer.

Joyce was born on 9 May 1937 to Charles George Kipp and Helen Augustine Kipp (née Breitbeil). She was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, but her hopes, dreams, passions, and love for a man in uniform propelled her to many other destinations. She raised her children in California but never forgot her family roots in the South. She even relocated to Louisville temporarily during the final years of her husband’s career as a commercial pilot. Joyce was an avid reader, an accomplished creative writer, an extraordinary cook and entertainer, and a lover of fine art. Wherever she lived, she forged long-lasting friendships through Book and Writing Clubs, hosting dinner parties, luncheons, and many unforgettable Kentucky Derby events. Once her children were firmly on their life paths, she embarked on a series of entrepreneurial projects that included designing and selling fine art for many of the major technology companies in Silicon Valley with her company, Art Accents, selling the unique jewelry of Louisville designer, Carlton Ridge and cultivating her talent for creative writing with classes and penning many essays, poems and short stories.

Joyce loved the sunshine and the beach, and many family holiday memories are deeply embedded in the beautiful homes she created and decorated in Saratoga, Louisville, Capitola, and Santa Cruz, as well as vacations she organized in nearby Pajaro Dunes. Traveling was a passion that fueled her curiosity for other cultures and cuisines, with Italy, Greece, Ireland, and Paris, France, some of her all-time favorite destinations. Joyce was an active community member with her volunteer work at the Daisy Auxiliary, an arm of the Family Service Association.

She was a loyal friend to many and, in recent years, a fiercely competitive Mahjong player to which her husband, grandchildren, and fellow Mahjong enthusiasts can attest. Her sense of humor knew no bounds, and her hearty laugh will forever ring in our ears. Her flair for fashion and self-confidence in her style was noticed and admired by all.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Paul, and their four children, Tim (Frances) Browne of Walnut Creek, Sean (Kari) Browne of Salinas, Megan Browne of Belgium, and Katy (Michael) Stamos of San Jose, four beloved grandchildren: Zoe and Sara Stamos; Olivia Browne and Lucas Marquardt, their father, Stephan Marquardt of Belgium, her three sisters Jean (Jack, deceased in 2018) Hanley, Mary Carol (Judge) Mosley and Susie (Doug) DeGaris all of Louisville, Kentucky and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins all over the globe.

Friends and family are invited to join us for a Mass of Christian Burial at San Agustín parish (257 Glenwood Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066) on 3 June at 11 am; followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at 1 pm at Scotts Valley Community Center (370 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066).

Please send condolences to Paul and family at 225 Mt. Hermon Road, Space 158, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Joyce’s name to the Daisy Auxiliary (www.fsa-cc.org/daisy/), the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (www.komen.org) and/or the Precious Life Shelter (www.preciouslifeshelter.org)

Please visit www.scmemorial.com if you would like to light a candle of leave a message in Joyce’s honor.

~ IN MEMORY ~      

USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Robert Thomas Brees

November 6, 1936 ~ May 1, 2021

Western/Delta pilot Captain Robert Thomas Brees, age 84. Bob was born in Ohio, raised/graduated from high school in California, attended San Diego State College, received his USAF pilot training and was attached to the 196^th Fighter Squadron and stationed at Ontario, attended San Bernardino Valley College, joined Western Airlines 04-25-1963, was based LAX, retired with Delta Air Lines in November 1996 and was based 030/PDX at time of retirement with Delta.   He had most recently resided at:

6211 Shady Ln SE, Lacey, WA 98503.

Death notices can be found online at 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kitsapsun/name/robert-brees-obituary?n=robert-brees&pid=198543651

https://mccombwagner.com/tribute/all-services/index.html?orderBy=service-date&search=brees

ROBERT THOMAS BREES

McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home And Crematory – Shelton

~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF, WA/DL Major Carl Michael Bendik
August 11, 1941, ~ March 13, 2023

Beloved Major Carl Michael Bendik, 81, of Moon Township, PA and Marathon, FL, a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, passed away peacefully in Miami, FL, on Monday, March 13, 2023.

Born in McKeesport, PA, on August 11, 1941, Carl graduated from Clairton High School with a football scholarship awarded from Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  After graduating from Penn State, he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1964.  Carl served in the Vietnam War and retired from active duty with the rank of Major.  After active duty, he remained in the reserves for several years, a true reflection and testament to his patriotism.  Carl began his 40+ year professional career in 1972 as a commercial airline pilot and retired from Delta Airlines with the rank of Captain. 

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Michael John and Hedwig “June” (Mularski) Bendik, and his brother James Bendik. He is survived by his daughter, Amy (Scott) Dumas; son, Ted (Vanessa) Bendik; grandchildren Ian & AJ Bendik and Jack Dumas; sister, Marlene (Carl) Abrasheff; & 3 nieces, Lisa Szuhoza and Carla Abrasheff & Michelle (Brian) Laux. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and cherished his warm and wonderful spirit.

A viewing will be held from 9 – 10 am on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home, 1701 Route 51, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025, (412-384-0350) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Claire of Assisi Church (old St. Joseph Building) 460 Reed Street, Clairton, PA 15025, and burial with full Military Honors at 1 pm at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies,1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017.

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, WA/DL Capt. Robert Godfrey Lyon Jr.

December 8, 1939 – February 22, 2023

Robert Godfrey Lyon Jr. passed away peacefully on the morning of February 22, 2023. He died at home surrounded by loved ones at the age of 83. Rob was born on December 8, 1939, in Atlanta, Georgia, to a large family that included a twin sister and three brothers. After graduating from Bowling Green State University, Robert joined the Navy as a naval aviator where he flew F-8 Crusaders in the Vietnam War. During his Navy years, Rob flew multiple active combat missions before ending his military career as a test pilot. As a civilian, Rob moved on to a career as an airline pilot, first with Western and later, Delta Air Lines, where he met his wife of 40 years, Robin. After retiring from the airlines, Robert and Robin began a non-profit rescuing abused and neglected animals and training them to visit nursing homes and hospitals. Lyon Ranch Therapy Animals has now been a Sonoma non-profit for nearly 25 years.

Rob is survived by his wife, Robin, two brothers, Bruce and Dean, four children, Tracy, Banning, William, and Lynette, and five grandchildren, Kenny, Cammie, Madi, Daisy, and Lark.

Condolences may be sent to the family at   

19221 Lyon Ranch Road,  Sonoma  CA  95476

Donations in Robert’s honor can be made to Lyon Ranch Therapy Animals through the website:

Lyonranch.org 

.

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, WA/DL Capt. Richard Seth Wood

May 7, 1942 – February 22, 2023

Notice of passing…..retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Dick Wood, age 80.  Captain Wood joined Western Airlines on 08-22-1972 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based SLC/030.  He is survived by his wife Toni, and by his children and stepchildren and their families.  

For those who may wish to send a personal note, I see the family residence listed on the white pages as: 

1676 E 70 S, Heber City, UT 84032  

Richard Seth Wood, age 80 years, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on February 22, 2023, after a long battle with dementia. He is survived by his devoted wife, Toni Wood, who saw him through every step of the journey. He is also survived by his two sons, John “Darin” and James “Daryl” Wood; grandchildren Gabrielle, Zephan, Maddox, and Brody; sister, Teddy Jr.; brothers, Jamie and David Wood; and his step-family, Lora, and Graham, Riley, Cole, Adam, Kyle Smith and Ezra and Cathy Walsh. Richard is preceded in death by his father Seth, mother, Teddy, and sister Laura.

Born in Rexburg, Idaho to Seth and Edna “Teddy” Wood, Richard was also known to some as “Dick,” or by his Naval Aviator call name, “Woody.” He was an adventurous soul who was given a second chance at life as a toddler and was saved from drowning by an Eagle Scout. Richard lived that second chance to the fullest. He loved motorcycle touring the west and abroad, golf and skiing, and was an accomplished marksman.

Richard was a 43-year sober member of AA and served for decades as an inspiration to others on the sobriety journey. Recently, he proudly told his son, Darin, “it worked,” playing on a famous quote from the 12 Steps.

Richard “Woody” served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviator during the Vietnam war, completing many successful missions behind enemy lines. Later in his career, he worked as a Flight Captain at Western Airlines and at Delta Airlines until he retired in 2002.

Richard will be missed deeply by those who love him and by those he inspired throughout his life. His light and spirit will be passed through the generations.

In lieu of flowers, Richard requested consideration of a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project

A friends and family gathering will take place on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, from 10:00-10:45 AM with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM at the Old Mill 2nd Ward, 715 East 600 South, Heber City, Utah 84032.

Graveside services will take place on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Rexburg Cemetery, 350 W Moran View Rd, Rexburg, ID 83440.