Note: see photo tribute at https://www.flintofts.com/obituary/Richard-Lee-Pankratz/Fall-City-Washington/1882885
~ IN MEMORY ~
WA/DL Capt. Richard Lee Pankratz
January 16, 1933 ~ November 11, 2020
Please be advised….sharing this sad news from the Pankratz
family, news with the passing of Delta Golden Wings member retired Western/Delta
pilot Captain Dick Pankratz, age 87.
Captain Pankratz joined Western Airlines 04-01-1967 and retired with
Delta Air Lines. He is survived by his
wife Janice. From an online news article
dated 2008: “Pancratz got his license by washing airplanes at little airports
in Oregon, in exchange for flying lessons and fuel. He retired a captain from
Delta, and now lives on an airstrip in Fall City.” Read the entire news article about Dick and
his grandson at https://www.valleyrecord.com/news/fall-city-pilots-aiming-for-the-sky/
Arrangements are not yet known.
For those wishing to send condolences to the family, we have
a mailing address listed as
35621 SE Fish
Hatchery Road, Fall City, WA 98024.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
...................................................................
Richard Lee Pankratz
Seattle Times, The (WA) - Sunday, December 27, 2020
Died: 2020-11-11
Flintofts Funeral Home & Crematory
Richard Lee "Dick" Pankratz flew his "final flight West" on November 11, 2020, at the age of 87, in his home of 44 years in Fall City, WA after a long battle with dementia.
The oldest of twelve children, Dick was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, to Leo and Mary (Lubberink) Pankratz. The family lived in several places in WI, UT, NV, CA, OR and WA.
Dick had an early interest in aviation. He earned his private pilot's license in exchange for pumping gas and washing airplanes at the Mulino Airport near Molalla. OR. He started his airline career in Seattle with Pacific Northern Airlines as a mechanic in 1958. He transferred to operations in 1967 and was the last pilot hired by PNA before merging into Western Airlines. Three years later Western closed the Anchorage base and Dick and the family moved back to the Seattle area, settling in Issaquah. During his airline career he flew the Lockheed Constellation and Electra, and Boeing 707/720, and as a Captain on the 727 and 737. Western merged with Delta in 1987, and Dick retired in 1993.
The family had moved to Fall City in 1976 to fulfill his dream of living on a small airport. He had several planes and was an active member of the aviation and local communities. After retirement in 1993, Dick transitioned easily to focus on travel, grandkids, home projects and of course flying.
Throughout his life, Dick's common themes were aviation, family, home, education, travel, and hard work before play. He loved to talk about anything mechanical: airplanes, old tractors or cars or old engines. He was a kid from a big family, with limited formal education, who farmed and logged before becoming an A&P mechanic and commercial pilot. He inspired many to work hard and chase their dreams of flying. He was a rock, a leader and adventurer, and leaves an inspirational legacy.
Dick is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janice (Weaver) Pankratz, children, Judy (Jonathan) White, Elizabeth (Peter) Bogers, and Jeremy (Nicole) Pankratz, and siblings, William, James , Michael, Susan Wadle, Sally Kemple, and John. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings, Robert, Delores Jensen, Patrick, Kristine.
Remembrances in honor of Dick and his lifelong passion for aviation, small plane restoration and learning, may be sent to the Port Townsend Aero Museum https://ptaeromuseum.com/contribute/, the Alaska Aviation Museum https://alaskaairmuseum.org/donate/, The Museum of Flight www.museumofflight.org or a charity of your choice.
Due to COVID restrictions, Services at St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church in Issaquah, WA and a Celebration of Life will be planned for future dates. Arrangements are being handled by Flintofs in Issaquah, WA. Family and friends are invited to view a full obituary and sign the online guestbook at https://www.flintofts.com/
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