~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Michael Anthony Doyle

May 3, 1943 – January 22, 2022 

Notice with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Mike Doyle, age 78.  Captain Doyle joined Western Airlines 03-05-1973 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Kimberly along with their children and grandchildren. Obituary information below is also available online at Daily Breeze

For those who may wish to send a personal note, the family’s address is listed on white pages as: 

312 Garnet St., Redo

 801 Esplanade Ave. Redondo Beach CA 90277

A celebration of life event will be held at a later date….please see obituary information below.

Captain Michael Anthony Doyle, retired WAL/DAL, a longtime resident of Redondo Beach, CA, passed away peacefully at home of natural causes on January 22, 2022. He was 78 years old. Mike was born on May 3, 1943, to “Lee” and Roberta Doyle. He graduated from Redondo Union High in 1961 where he lettered in wrestling. Mike had a zest for life and was a natural athlete. His youth was spent at the beach – surfing, swimming, and playing volleyball. Later in life he and his wife Kim loved to travel, golf, ski, and watch classic movies. Mike was a charismatic and outgoing man who was often told he looked like Robert Redford. His younger years were spent working at his father’s machine shop, but Mike knew he was destined for more. He worked hard to acquire his pilot’s license and had a long career as a commercial airline pilot. He began flying with Golden West and was hired in 1973 by Western Airlines which later merged with Delta Airlines. During his time with Delta, Mike was based out of Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. While he was based in Utah, Mike met the love of his life, Kimberly Betts. Mike and Kim were married in 1991 and blended their two families into one. Mike and Kim were lucky to have over 30 years together. They lived in Park City and later Redondo Beach. He is survived by his wife, Kim; sister, Kathy (Alex) Bohon; children, Dena Doyle and Brian Doyle; stepchildren, Manessa (Paul) Adams and Fisk Charlesworth; nephew, Corey (Tina) Dreher; grandchildren, Colleen, Erin, Isabelle, Rowan, Lincoln, Kai, and Adeline. Mike was happy that he lived long enough to enjoy being a great-grandfather! Preceding Mike in death are parents, Lee and Roberta; brother Steve; and grandson, Ryan. Due to Covid, there will not be a service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later and safer date. Mike will be missed by many who knew him along his life journey.

Retired WAL/DAL Captain Lonnie Kuatt, age 90, joined Western Airlines on March 15, 1962, and was based in Denver.

Captain Kuatt suffered a fall on December 28th and succumbed to complications on January 8, 2022.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carol, and by his children Marcia, Rick, and Allen.

Condolences to his family may be sent to:
4460 Hutson Drive
Mount Hood Parkdale, OR
97041-8705  

Thanks to Carol Faulkner for passing this information

Sorry that, due to a rather meager response to the invitation and to Covid complications, Paul and Curt have to cancel January’s proposed luncheon. The Fairview Metropolitan needs a ten day notice from us so that they can make the necessary preparations.

We Wallybirds are a dwindling number and that has been complicated the past two years by the pandemic and by some members moving farther from the Bay Area.

The number of pilots still identifying themselves as Wallybirds is creeping from age 60 toward, in Paul’s case, closer to 90! Some of us will keep “the only way to fly” in our hearts to the end but it is becoming more difficult to bring us all together.

Curt and Paul will try this again for Thursday, April 21st.

Meanwhile, we are looking for others who are younger and so motivated to take over the reins.

Hoping to see you in April.

Paul and Curt

Come and Get It!

We are pleased to announce that there will be a Wallybird Luncheon at the Fairview Metropolitan Banquet Facility on Thursday, 20 January 2022 at 11:30 a.m

This will be a very important meeting as we will be discussing the future of our luncheons as well as the Wallybird website. Now that Dick Deeds has “gone West”, we really don’t have anyone to maintain the site, and it is on life support even now. Please come and be part of the conversation about where we go from here

With regard to our luncheon venue at the FM, we have been well served by them, but the cost has increased $3 per person to $28 per person just since last July, so we can no longer break even at $30 after tax and tip. We are offering this lunch at $30 and will dig into our reserves for tax and tip. It may be that we can find a place more suitable for our numbers, such as a buffet with a meeting room, or a place with large tables where everyone just pays individually. Be thinking about places that might fit the bill and feel free to do some recon.

Where: Fairview Metropolitan Golf Course
10051 Doolittle Drive, Oakland, CA 94063
(next to Oakland International)

When: Thursday, 20 January 2022 1130-1400

Menu: House Green Salad, Broccoli Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Salmon with Bernaise Sauce, Tri-Tip with Red Wine Sauce, Dinner Rolls with Butter, Coffee, Decaf, Hot Tea, Water, Chef’s Choice Dessert.

Other beverages are available at the adjacent bar.

Cost: $30 per person

Please RSVP to BOTH Paul Browne (pjbro@sbcglobal.net) AND Curt Taylor (curttaylor@sbcglobal.net) by 1200 Monday 17 January 2022.

Please contact your friends who attend as the website and mailer have been somewhat erratic in getting messages out!

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Curt and Paul

~ IN MEMORY ~

PNA/WAL/DL Capt. Ronald Lloyd Nelson

January 27, 1945 – November 24, 2021

Notification with the passing of retired Pacific Northern/Western/Delta pilot Captain Ronald Lloyd Nelson, age 76.  Captain Nelson joined Pacific Northern Airways on 01-16-1967 and made the mergers with Western Airlines and Delta Air Lines.  He was based in SLC and later JFK.  Captain Nelson is survived by his wife Judy, his children, and his grandchildren. Obituary information is available online at https://obituaries.adn.com/adportal/listing/RonaldLloyd-Nelson/W0026544.html

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

16749 Woods Pointe Cir., 

Anchorage, AK 99516

 Ronald Lloyd Nelson, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 24, 2021.

Ron had a lifetime career in aviation. He began his career with Munz Northern Airlines in Nome, Alaska. He flew for Pacific Northern Airlines, Western Airlines and retired from Delta Airlines as the 777 lead line check captain. Ron then worked for Security Aviation in Anchorage, Alaska. He flew the Gulfstream out to Shemya on a military contract. He ended his career with Hilcorp managing their Twin Otter. 

Ron loved what he did; flying was not a job to him. Ron enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing, and flying. 

Ron leaves behind his wife, Judy; four children, Rhonda Nelson, Kyle Nelson, Ryan Nelson, and Rachelle Wix; and seven grandchildren. 

We lost dad one week ago. He succumbed to a myriad of health issues it seems, but he fought it all so hard that I really didn’t see it coming. At least not so soon. 

Dad was an inspiration to so many, not only to his children and grandchildren but also to his flying community. He spent a lifetime in the air. He was a rare individual and truly a prince among men. 

Dad became a mentor to many young pilots. When I recently mentioned this to a longtime friend of his, he said “Rachelle, your Dad was not only a mentor … but a Legend.”

And Dad really was. But other than that, he was my daddy. He was the most sincere, forthright, and honest man you could ever hope to meet. He knew everything. He had all the answers. He was the epitome of a father, maybe not always, but for sure when it really mattered. His love was the true definition of unconditional. for. every. one. of. us. All four! 

I love you Dad. It’s difficult right now at least, but I can tell you I promise to “press on” and “stay the course.” 

“Bye for now,” keep your rod tip up and your line tight. Love you Dad. 

A service will be held on Dec. 11, 2021, from 1-2 p.m., at All Saint’s Episcopal Church. There will be a final Departure Event following from 2:30-5 p.m., at Ted Stevens International Airport in the North Terminal.

Bob, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather has passed away at 90. Bob was born in Fremont, Nebraska, and moved with his mother and stepfather to Glendale, California at the age of 11. He graduated from Herbert Hoover High School and Glendale College. 

In January 1952 he married Mary Schelling — they soon would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary — and had two children, Steven Dale and Kristy Lynn (McConnell). The family lived in Sylmar, California. In 1974 Bob and Mary moved to Westlake Village, and in 1994 to La Quinta. For many years they also had a house in Lake Arrowhead which was treasured by their grandchildren, who knew it as their home for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and many other family events.

Bob flew for non-scheduled airlines for a few years before signing on with Western Airlines in 1953. He became a Supervisory Captain, and in addition to regular airline routes, he delivered two Boeing 707s to Beruit, Lebanon. Mary stayed with him in Saudi Arabia for a month when he delivered the Sheik’s private (and ornately updated) 707; the Sheik insisted Bob supervise the pilots in the cockpit whenever he flew. Western merged with Delta Airlines in 1987; Bob was one of their most senior Captains until he flew the last of his 35,000 hours as a commercial pilot in 1991. He periodically flew small private airplanes throughout his 80s.

In retirement, he golfed and played tennis and bridge. He was a member of Soldiers Organized Services, which transports Marines between the Palm Springs airport and the Twentynine Palms Marine Base. Bob also volunteered as a docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum, where his station was primarily in the B-17 hangar.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Kristy; son-in-law, Scott; daughter-in-law, Linda; five grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. His son, posthumously promoted to Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserve and a Wing Commander in the California Air National Guard, predeceased him in 2008.

In remembrance of Bob’s life, a donation may be made to the Steven Friedricks College Scholarship at the 146th Wing Association. 

Perhaps most importantly, he would always insist with every goodbye: “remember to keep your nose up in the turn!”

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 2 at 3:00 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Robert Jacob Farrell

January 26, 1939 ~ September 11, 2021

From friends and colleagues, we have learned of the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Robert Jacob Farrell, age 82.  Captain Farrell joined Western Airlines 03-21-1966 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based SLC.  

Notice of passing has been publicly announced by the funeral home Dignity Memorial.

Arrangements entrusted to Harry A. Nauman & Son funeral home located in Sacramento, California. I believe Bob was born/raised in Ohio, and that he is survived by his wife Lenell. Condolences may be sent to the family at:

2328 Glen Ellen Cir.,  Sacramento, CA 95822.

Should more information be received we will be sure to pass it along.

~ 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.