Received this from Joe Hagen today. . We lost another GOOD man. Dick
Capt. Duane (Dewey) Gerrard has flown west this morning and has returned to his Heavenly Home with Honor, to his fellow man and to his Eternal Father in Heaven.I had the privilege if dispatching Dewey on his retirement flight in 1998 (DL 1534 OKC-SLC B727). Be assured, he has sufficient fuel for his flight west. WX is CAVU, No alternate is required.
IN MEMORY ~
WAL pilot Norman Alton Hortman Jr.
September 26, 1938 – January 30, 2020
As noted recently in ALPA’s In Memoriam column, the passing of retired pilot Norman Alton Hortman II, age 81. From what I can determine, Norman flew for Western Airlines prior to the Western/Delta merger. He is survived by his wife Barbara along with his children and grandchildren.
For those wishing to contact the family, whitepages lists their residence as
If more news is received we can then pass it along.
Thank you,
Obituary……………………
September 26, 1938 – January 30, 2020
Norman Alton Hortman Jr. Valley Center Norman was born in West Virginia to Norman Adelbert Hortman and Elizabeth Harris Reed. Norman is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Barbara Lorraine Jenei, his two children: Norman and Kim, and 5 grandchildren. Norman was a commercial pilot and was well known through his business dealings. Norman’s memorial will be at Emmanuel Faith Church in Escondido on February 15, at 1:30 P.M.
~ IN MEMORY ~
WA/DL F/O Duane Milton Koski
April 19, 1941 ˜ July 28, 2019
F/O Duane Milton Koski, age 78, passed away July 28, 2019. Duane joined Western Airlines 01-10-1972 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based PDX/030. Obituary information is available online at
Also at https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/5600779/Duane-Milton-Koski
For those who may wish to contact the family, perhaps the best address would be c/o son William ‘Matt’ (Jill) at
17102 NE 140th Ave., Brush Prairie, WA 98606.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary…………… Duane Milton Koski, 78, a long-time resident of Clark County, WA, passed away July 28, 2019. He was born to Helmi and Jalmer Koski in Ventura, CA on April 19, 1941. He grew up on the Koski family farm in Brush Prairie, WA, which he loved and ran for many years.
Duane graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Horticulture.
He also loved flying; he was a Naval test pilot and a commercial airline pilot, flying for Western and Delta.
Duane is survived by his son, William “Matt” Koski (Jill); daughter, Peni Koski and their mother, Nancy Koski; and sisters, Karolyn (Hugh) Albrecht and Lois Thompson.
Belated news, as noted in ALPA’s In Memoriam column, the passing of WA/DL Capt. George J. Hash…….
~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. George Jefferay Hash
April 5, 1938 – December 27, 2019
Captain George Jefferay Hash, age 81, passed away on December 27th in Torrance, California. Captain Hash joined Western Airlines 10-07-1968 and retired with Delta Air Lines based LAX. He is survived by his wife Roxanne, his children and his grandchildren, plus many other close family members.
An online tribute is available at
For those wishing to send a personal note, whitepages lists the family residence as
1843 Rhodes St., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary………… George Jefferay Hash; age 81; died unexpectedly on December 27th; 2019 in Torrance; CA.; George is survived by his wife; Roxanne Marie Graf-Hash; of 41years; of Hermosa Beach CA; his daughter Laura Phillips of Hockley TX; his son Michael Hash of Rancho Cucamonga; CA; his Grandsons Sean Lute of Northridge CA and Nicholas Rhine of Savannah GA; his Granddaughter; Christine Morrissey of Riverside CA; his Great Grandchildren Evania and Joaquin Lute; Jane and; Hadley Rhine and Conrad Morrissey. His surviving siblings are Nina Clausen of De Moines IA; Joe Hash of Citrus Heights CA; Elaine Slivka of Yucaipa CA; Donald Hash of Spanaway; WA; Donna Mairet of Placentia CA.; ‘’
George was born on April 5th; 1938 at Baguio in the Philippines; to parents Robert and Glennell Hash.; He graduated from Polytechnic High School in Long Beach CA in 1956. He studied at Long Beach City College; in Long Beach Ca; Ohio University in Athens Ohio; College of Great Falls in Great Falls MT; and Graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University in Ft Worth Tx.;
In 1957 George joined the Air Force. During his tour of duty in Vietnam he flew the KC-97 & KC-135 stratotankers that refueled inflight tactical fighters & bombers.; He was decorated with the Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal for; prolonged acts of heroism & meritorious service. He retired as a Major from active duty after 11 years and continued his service in the reserves.;
George started flying for Western Airlines in October; 1968. He flew the 707; 720; 737; DC 10 & 727. After 18 years Western merged with Delta where he flew Captain on the 737; 727; 757&767 until retirement.; George was a great family man; a loving father; grandfather; and great grandfather; not only to his own children but also to his nieces; nephews; and cousins. Many of them lived with and were nurtured by George and Roxie for years.;
Sports; George loved them! You would find him snow skiing; water skiing; boating; fishing; swimming; on a wave runner or just watching football on TV.; He and Roxanne were privileged to travel to many exciting places; usually accompanied by their good friends. They traveled to China; cruised the Three Gorges River there and walked on the Great Wall. Touring Israel they saw the places where the patriarchs & Jesus walked. They sailed up the Nile River in Egypt and saw the pyramids. A Baltic cruise to St Petersburg a sail up the Rhine River from Budapest to Amsterdam; Greece; Italy; Hawaii; Canada and Alaska were all favorite destinations.
After retirement; the beautiful Residence Club Vidanta in Nuevo Vallarta; Mexico became a yearly spot for rest and relaxation.; George had a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was deeply involved in Marriage and Family Life Marriage Ministry with Roxanne along with hosting a mini church in their home for many years. They were part of the team for Cleansing Stream Ministries and were strong supporters of water wells for Africa; where he was treasurer.
They were members of Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach CA from 1979 through 2000 and The Breakwater Four Square Church in Redondo Beach CA from 2001. He was faithful to the men’s prayer group and served on the church council.; He will be greatly missed by those who called him a gentle giant and felt the light of his love.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we had suspected, we are having to cancel the April luncheon due to the shelter at home order being extended. So stay hunkered down and we’ll see you in July (hopefully) with your stories of how you survived the Pandemic of 2020. Maybe we can start a photo gallery of new ways you’re finding to entertain yourself. Stay tuned and stay healthy!
Feel free to reach out to us:
Curt Taylor
curt@taylorsinpv.com
Paul Browne
pjbro@sbcglobal.net
HI All,
Paul and I just wanted to let you know that due to the current pandemic restrictions, our April 16th luncheon may be in jeopardy. We’ve been in touch with the Fairview, and they are shut down until April 8th. As nobody yet knows the direction this will take, we’ll just have to hold the 16th loosely until we have a better idea in a few weeks.
In the meantime, stay hunkered down under your dining room tables and wash your hands, lots! We all are in the age group where we are at higher risk, so be safe!
All the best,
Curt
curt@taylorsinpv.com
Paul
pjbro@sbcglobal.net
Ken passed at home in his sleep and the night of February 10th.
Now taking reservations for the next Wallybird Luncheon
When: Thursday, January 23, 2020
Where: Fairview Metropolitan Banquet Center, 10051 Doolittle Drive, Oakland, CA 94063
Time: 1130-1400s
Menu: Salads:House Green, Italian Pasta, Broccoli, Penne Pasta
Entrees: Chicken Marsala, Tri-tip marinated in Red Wine Sauce
Sides: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Oven Roasted Vegetables, Dinner Rolls
Dessert: Brownies
Coffee, Decaf and Hot Tea Beverage Station
Other Beverages available at the bar for an additional charge
Cost: $28 per person
Spouses and Friends welcome!
Speaker: Ted Edwards is a historian and author, gymnast, mountain climber, and teacher/professor. His special interest is in the WWII air war in the Pacific, and he has written a book entitled “Seven at Santa Cruz” about the daring exploits of one Stanley “Swede” Vejtasa who scored seven kills during the battle of Santa Cruz in the South Pacific. Ted will be talking about Swede and maybe other Aces of the Pacific War.
Please RSVP by Friday, January 17! That’s this week!
Send your RSVP’s to both Curt Taylor (curttaylor@sbcglobal.net)
and
Paul Browne (pjbro5790@att.net)
Hey all you WallyBirds, Where in
Western’s World will you be Sept 15-17, 2020? It’s the Wally Birds
Annual Reno Migration. So Many Surprises, The Reno Air Race, Fun Filled
Days, Meet and Greet Old Friends and New Friends.
✈️
COME FLY WITH US?
SAVE THE DATE
SEPT 15-17, 2020
More information coming soon!