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.  

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

Last chance to respond to Wallybird’s invitation is this Monday, July 12th.

Fairview Metropolitan 10051 Doolittle Drive, Oakland

Thursday, July 15 from 1130 til 1400

Spouses and friends invited. Let’s keep The Wallybird alive!!

Thursday, 15 July, 11:30AM

Location: Fairview Metropolitan (Golf Course)

10051 Doolittle Drive

Oakland, CA (near OAK)

Our Quarterly Wallybird Luncheons are back on.

When: Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 1130 to 1400

Menu:
Salads: House Green w/ Ranch & Italian Dressing, Caesar salad, Broccoli & Italian Pasta
Entrees: Tri-Tip w/Red Wine Sauce, Chicken Marsala, Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Includes: Roasted Vegetables, Dinner Rolls and Butter, Coffee, Decaf and Hot Tea, Chef’s Choice Dessert
Price: $30

Our Guest Speaker will be William Dunn

William Dunn is a 17 year Air Force officer currently flying the HC-130J Combat King II with the California Air National Guard, Moffett, CA and is a 5 year Delta Pilot on extended military leave.  He grew up in Woodside, CA graduating in 1999 and then spent 4 years at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.  From there his path took him from Georgia to Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Japan with multiple deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Germany flying C-130E/H transports before returning to California and joining Delta.

We must guarantee a Minimum of 20 persons so talk it up in case some don’t get the word. Friends and spouses are invited.

RSVP to Both: Paul Browne at pjbro@sbcglobal.net. AND to Curt Taylor at curt@taylorsinpv.com

~ 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