Richard A. (Dick) Deeds, prompted by his love for the traditions of Western Airlines and those men and women who are a part of them, single handedly organized and founded The Wallybird which has helped to sustain the bond of those of us who so fondly remember that ugly but lovable old big-beaked bird.

In addition, he and his son Ken built and have continued to maintain this, the Wallybird website, which we enjoy here today.

Some may not be aware that Dick had been in extremely poor health due to a serious heart condition. A recent fall damaged some upper vertebrae and nerves causing some paralysis. Dick has been in a “holding Pattern” since then pending consultations with his proposed surgeon and that surgeon’s trusted cardiologist. If the two doctors agree, Dick may undergo the VERY SERIOUS surgery he asked for next Thursday, May 6th. He will be moved to the UCSF facility this Monday.

My Judicial Watch calendar indicates that May 6th is the National Day Of Prayer. How coincidental. Let us pray for a successful surgery for Dick.

We regret to announce (belatedly) the passing of WA/DL Captain John Henry Miltner

February 24, 1936 – June 1, 2019

Captain Miltner joined Western Airlines 05-26-1969 and retired from Delta Airlines inn 1996.

Obituary information is available at:

https://www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com/obituary/John-Miltner

Captain Miltner had resided in Thailandprior to the time of his passing. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and his siblings.

There were no services.

See also:

https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2021/04/wadl-capt-john-henry-miltner.html

WA/DL Captain Peter ‘Pete’ Bonofiglio, Jr, born August 1, 1934, flew West on January 23, 2021.

Born in New York state, Pete married Martha Miller in 1963. He joined Western airlines on August 29, 1966 and

retired in August 1994 from his base at 030/SLC.

Pete was widowed in October 2015 with the passing of his wife, Martha.

Thanks, once again, to Carol Faulkner for this information.

We invite anyone with additional information about Pete and his family to please share it.

The link below reveals a bit more about Pete’s start as an airline pilot and his off line flying:

https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2021/04/wadl-capt-peter-pete-bonofiglio-jr.html

Curt Taylor has reserved Thursday, 15 July as a TENTATIVE date for our next Wallybird Luncheon.

Stay tuned and maybe we will see one another then, like old times.

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, WA/DL Captain James Patrick Gallagher

June 9, 1937 – March 23, 2021

Word has reached us with news of the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Jim Gallagher, age 83.  Captain Gallagher joined Western Airlines 02-03-1969 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1997, based 030/SLC at the time of retirement.  He is survived by his wife Judy, his children, and his grandchildren.   Obituary information is available for viewing online at The Salt Lake Tribune and at Starks Funeral Parlor and Echovita.

Condolences may be sent to the family at:

4757 S Ichabod St.,  Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN  

PCN Obituary

Jim Gallagher passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2021 due to complications from a stroke. He was born on June 9, 1937 in Milwaukee, WI to Bernice Casper and George Kugel. He was adopted as an infant by James and Mary Gallagher and grew up in Green Bay with his siblings Judee and Michael. Jim graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1962 and was stationed in Dover, DE, Newfoundland, Canada, and Nashville, TN. In 1964, while shopping for a car in Washington, D.C. he met and married the love of his life, Judy Pier, of Shaker Heights, Ohio. They have been happily married for 56 years. 

After leaving the Air Force in 1969, Jim joined Western Airlines and moved his family to Los Angeles, CA. There he joined the Lotus West car club and spent many weekends with Judy winning slalom races in his Lotus Super 7. Jim had an Illustrious barbershop singing experience. He sang in over 10 quartets singing with the Beehive Statesmen, BQPA, and Tri-W. He regularly attended the annual Harmony College convention to share his love of singing. Through these hobbies, he made many lifelong friendships across the country. In 1982, Jim and Judy moved their family from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. At age 60, Jim retired from Delta Airlines and spent the next ten years skiing at Solitude with the FOGS “as many days in the ski season as his age.” He loved the outdoor life in Utah, biking, hiking, and stargazing. Jim and Judy spent their marriage traveling to all the US states and over 50 countries. In their later adventures, they befriended a travel group and made many memories together. Jim was “Mr. Fix-It”, known throughout the community as the go-to man for any problem.  He will be missed for his selfless support of his friends, neighbors, and children for all their house and car repairs.  

Later in life, Jim was fortunate to be reunited with his birth mother, Bernice, and 3 siblings. Many happy trips and reunions resulted from this connection and filled Jim and his family’s hearts with more love than thought possible. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Judy, of 56 years, his five children, Peter, David (Miriam), Debra, Daniel, and Katie Thomas (Chris), ten grandchildren, Robert, James, Ethan, Hailey, Lauren, Lindsay, Henry, Caroline, Sidney, and Ella. Jim is also survived by his siblings Jim Kugel (Kris), Joan Collins (Bob), Frank Kugel (Debbie), brother-in-law Philip Pier (Alice) and many nieces and nephews.  

A celebration of Jim’s life will be on Thursday, April 15, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.

Unfortunately, due to continuing Covid19 restrictions, we will be unable to hold the usual January Wallybird Luncheon

Paul B

Due to the continuing lockdown by Alameda County, indoor dining is still prohibited. Our planned date of Thursday, 16 July at Fairview Metropolitan is canceled.

Stay tuned.

Paul & Curt

Ladies and Gents,

I have been gently corrected concerning the luncheon price.

Those of you who have been attending will remember that the cost was NOT $20!

LUNCH, INCLUDING TAX AND GRATUITY IS $28.00

It IS WORTH IT!

Mea Culpa

See you and 22 others tomorrow.

Paul B

Our speaker for Thursday, 19 July is Tom Gehman who will talk about his experiences in the A4 Skyhawk.

Ken Koster has told me that Dr. Rich Sugden, CDR, USN, Retired said he knows of Tom and would like to hear what he has to say

but, that he can’t attend.   He expressed a desire to have someone video Tom’s presentation and send it to him.

I suppose anyone could do that with their smart phone and the share it through an attachment to an email.

Any volunteers?

If so email me at pjbro5790@att.net

BTW, Dr. Sugden owns The Teton Air Museum.

Check out the rich array of beautiful ($$$$) aircraft at :

< tetonairmuseum.com >

Thanks,

Paul B