April - June 2014
As Compiled by JT Smith
This just in from Jack Brush via Denis Walsh: "Hi Dl, I finally sold my Company in 2013, so don't have an office to not go to anymore. Elaine and I are using the Aerostar, which I got to keep, to visit kids and grandkids. Recently visited Maryland and upstate NY. Although it is easy to keep the airplane airworthy, it is not so easy to keep the pilot instrument sharp. Consequently, although I get an IPC twice a year I try to fly VFR.
"Coming back from NY a few weeks ago I saw a tornado hook on Nexrad contouring purple about 50 miles away. Found out that it was the one tearing up Nebraska, You could see it 100 miles away, so really didn't need radar and Nexrad to stay clear. All General aviation airplanes suffered a resale hit with real estate, so I'm not tempted to sell. It is just too much fun.
"We spent 2 weeks in the Windward Islands this spring on our favorite Dutch Clipper ship Stad Amsterdam. Enjoyed our 30 fellow passengers and watching the kids (20 something) scurry about the rigging. We will spend a week in San Marino and on the cliffs at Galway Ireland next month. Flying C124s I saw green, green Ireland's west coast through the am clouds several times after a dark all night Atlantic crossing. This time I'll look up and maybe see a shaky paddling along.--Jack
"P.S. the pictures are Clem Douglas and me as 6th ? Squadron lacross guys, A C124 formation in Hawaii (copilots view), Mike Buchen, Brian Deem, and me as cripples in the back of 12th Squadron and some more recent of Elaine and me."
Denis Walsh sent the following: "This photo is from 18 June 2014, at Jim O'rourke's funeral in USAFA cemetery. It was a fine day and a fine send off for Jim. His family was well represented, with Bev leading the group. The Colorado USAFA group was also well represented as shown in the photo. George Luck travelled from Washington State to attend, and is not shown in the picture. Chaplain Browning, '59, conducted the service and did a great job. The group adjourned to the USAFA Golf club house for a luncheon following the ceremony. Jim's daughter delivered a very moving tribute to kick off the affair."
The annual gathering of Los Guajolotes took place this year in the Wisconsin Dells. Once again Gordon Flygare joined J. T. Smith during the first week in June for this traditional gathering of motorcycling friends. This year was different in that Gordon's wife, Ann, and J.T.'s wife, Diane, came along to share in the fun. In addition to the motorcycle activities, they took advantage of a rainy day to visit two local attractions: the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, and the EAA Museum in Oshkosh. The former included a train ride, which is always a treat. The photo shows the group in a 1907-vintage passenger car, complete with stained-glass windows and inlaid wood paneling. The sharp of eye may notice that Ann is sporting a cast on her left arm. A break in the upper arm was probably fully healed, but the cast was to remain on for a few more weeks.
Next year the gathering will be in Arkansas for some enjoyable riding in the Ozarks. We're hoping to entice Leon and Maryn Goodson to join us.
The NW Falcon's latest gathering took place on 28 May. George Luck's report with pictures has been posted to the Groups section. Click here to see it.
We learned today that our Classmate Art Lewis passed away on Thursday 10 April after suffering a heart attack. .Visitation hours will be held at Ted Dickey Funeral Home, 2128 18th Street, Plano, TX, 75074, on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Custer Road United Methodist Church, 6601 Custer Rd, Plano, TX, 75023, on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Art will be laid to rest at the Dallas-Fort WorthNational Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked thatdonations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project. For one-time donations, click HERE.
To read an obituary written about Art, click the link on the panel above Don Stevens has forwarded this LINK to the funeral home's website for those who would like to sign the guestbook.
Here's an update from Charlie and Kathy Liggett: "We continue to travel the world. Late March we spent two days in Bagan, Myanmar (Burma) and then two days in Yangon. This picture is of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. We have not encountered many tourists in Burma so seems like a good time to travel there if you have the opportunity. Cheers Charlie".
