NAL/PAA/DL Capt. John Stephen Woelfel

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NAL/PAA/DL Capt. John Stephen Woelfel

JULY 11, 1940 – APRIL 6, 2024

 

Sharing this news as was received from the National Airlines alumni site, the passing of retired National/Pan Am/Delta Air Lines pilot Captain John Stephen Woelfel, age 83.  John began his commercial flying career 04-08-1968.  He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen, and by his children and their families.

Obituary information can be viewed online at

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/northport-al/john-woelfel-11758849

PCN memorial site 

Obituary : John Stephen Woelfel

John Stephen Woelfel (formerly of Ocala, Florida) passed away peacefully on April 6, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, surrounded by loving family. He was 83.

John was predeceased by his parents John and Irma Woelfel.

He was a devoted husband to Mary Ellen Woelfel, his beloved wife, with whom he shared countless cherished moments and built a life filled with love, travel, horses and adventure.

 

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his brother Robert (Sandy) Woelfel of Arlington, Texas. His children: Laura (Casey) Lineberry of Crane Hill, AL; John (Jennifer) Woelfel and Debbie (Kenneth) Crownover of Tuscaloosa, AL.

 

John was blessed with five grandchildren, Drew Madison, Jennifer Salinas (Stephen), Jessica Phifer (Neal), Cade Woelfel, and Cara Panno (Austin) five great grandchildren, a niece and a nephew, two great nieces and a great nephew -- all who loved the man they called “Pappy.” His legacy lives on through his remaining family and the values he instilled in them.

 

John’s interest in flying started when he was 11 years old; he met a Trans World Airlines pilot in the neighborhood. Because of that chance meeting, his career objective never wavered from being a commercial airline pilot. His selection of Hobart College was due in part to their having an Air Force ROTC offering which he completed. Upon graduation, John became a U.S. Air Force officer and was assigned to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia where he learned to fly military jets. After completion of flight training, he was assigned to a Strategic Air Command base (K.I. Sawyer AFB) in Gwinn, Michigan to fly KC-135 refueling planes. As aircraft commander, his squadron went to Southeast Asia where he refueled B-52 bombers over Vietnam in addition to other “thirsty” military jets.

 

After 5 ½ years of Air Force service, John joined National Airlines in Florida to begin his successful commercial airline pilot career. From there he went on to fly for Pan Am and Delta Airlines as Captain. His love for flying was only rivaled by his passion for sailing. A seasoned sailor, John regularly sailed the Florida Keys, but his favorite trips were the night crossings to the Bahamas.

 

He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his genuine care for others. He touched the lives of many through his kindness, generosity and love of life, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

 

To honor John’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. We invite you to privately celebrate John’s memory in your own ways. We know that he will be with us all in spirit. John will be dearly missed but never forgotten. May he rest in eternal peace, knowing he was deeply loved and admired by all who knew him.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Wounded Warriors in John's memory.

 

Sunset Brown-Service Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, is honored to serve the Woelfel family during their time of bereavement. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetBrown-Funeral.com

NWA Capt. David Gardner Hill

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, NWA Capt. David Gardner Hill

January 5, 1937 - April 2, 2024

 

From the retired Northwest Airlines pilot group we learn of the passing of retired Northwest Airlines pilot Captain Dave Hill, age 87.  Dave joined Northwest 01-06-1969.  He is survived by his wife Taiko, and by his children and their families.

Obituary information and service arrangements can be viewed online at

https://www.hawaiianmemorialparkmortuary.com/obituaries/David-Hill-78/#!/Obituary

PCN memorial site

 

Obituary for David Gardner Hill

David Gardner Hill, 87, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, passed away peacefully in Honolulu. Born in Framingham, Massachusetts, David was a man of many passions and accomplishments.

 

A retired Navy veteran, David served his country with honor and distinction. His love for the skies didn’t stop there. After his service, he continued his career as a pilot for Northwest Airlines, mastering the art of flying, a skill he was immensely proud of.

 

David was a loving husband to Taiko Hill for 39 years. Their bond was one of mutual respect and deep affection, a testament to their enduring love.

 

A father to James (Andrea) Hill, Mark Hill, Sarie (Philip) Harris, Mari Hill, Amy (Nicholas) Olds, and a doting grandfather to four grandchildren, David’s family was his pride and joy. His love for them was evident in every interaction, every shared moment.

 

David was a man of intellect and curiosity. He loved puzzles and reading, always seeking to learn more about the world around him. His interests were vast and varied, from astronomy to architecture, reflecting his multifaceted personality.

 

Known for his kindness, humor, and intelligence, David was a beacon of light to those who knew him. His love for music filled their home with melodies, and his witty humor brought laughter and joy.

 

David was a “jack of all trades, master of one, flying”. His passion for flying was not just a career, but a calling. It was a part of who he was, a symbol of his limitless spirit and his constant pursuit of freedom.

 

David leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and learning. His memory will continue to inspire and guide us. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

 

His journey has been a flight well flown.

PAA/DL Capt. Robert Joseph Rigney Jr.

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, PAA/DL Capt. Robert Joseph Rigney Jr.

October 17, 1933 ~ April 4, 2024

 

We note the passing of retired Pan Am/Delta pilot Captain Robert Joseph Rigney Jr, age 90.  Captain Rigney joined Pan American 01-04-1965 and retired with Delta Air Lines. 

Obituary information is available online at

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/robert-rigney-obituary?id=54860014

PCN memorial site

 

Robert Rigney Obituary

Robert Joseph Rigney, Jr. died peacefully at age 90 on April 4, 2024 in Monterey, California. He died after a short illness, having lived with Alzheimer's for several years.

 

He was born October 17, 1933 to Helen Wall and Robert Joseph Rigney in Chicago. From that date on he held a few things dear: his Chicago roots, the Catholic faith, basketball, and friends and family.

 

He grew up in Chicago's Oak Park neighborhood, which he never let anyone forget, surrounded by four siblings and a large circle of Irish-American aunts, uncles and cousins.

 

Bob, or "Fish" as he was known to his school friends, graduated from his beloved Fenwick High School in 1951. As a sharp-elbowed point guard, he helped his basketball team win the Chicago City Championships in his senior year. In 1955, he earned a degree in philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago. In 1956, Bob was drafted into the military and became a naval aviator, mainly flying reconnaissance planes over the Pacific Ocean.

 

In 1965, Bob left the U.S. Navy and embarked on a nearly four-decade long career as a pilot for Pan American and Delta Airlines. During a flight to Guatemala, he fell for Pan Am crewmember, Hansi de Petra. The two married at the Carmel Mission Basilica in 1970.

 

Bob and Hansi had their first date on a layover in Honolulu at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel restaurant. For the next 55 years they shared a love for travel, music and even the same birthday. Together they had four children.

 

The flying life took Bob to many corners of the world, where he collected stories, mementos and life-long friends. He lived in Sausalito, Carmel, Hong Kong, Berlin, and Carmel again.

 

While living in Berlin, Bob "flew the corridors" that connected West Berlin and West Germany. He was an enthusiastic ring-leader among the close-knit Pan Am community. He often returned to Kitzbühel, Austria for skiing. On November 9th, 1989, he scaled the Berlin Wall to witness history being made.

 

In 1992, Bob and his family moved back to Carmel, where he's lived ever since. He never went long without a phone call to a friend from Chicago, the Navy, the airlines or anyone he just met.

 

Bob and Hansi kept traveling through the years. He kept up with Hansi's marathons by organizing their travel all over the globe and meeting regularly with his group of former Pan Am pilots in Berlin who liked to call themselves "the Lost Battalion."

 

He could recite countless poems, limericks, puns, jokes and riddles – many of which were collected in small pocket notebooks.

 

In Bob's later years, he volunteered as a docent at the Carmel Mission Basilica. He was also a familiar face at the Monterey Sports Center, where he often spent more time gabbing than exercising.

 

Bob is survived by his sons Robert Finn Rigney of Berlin; Peter Rigney of Berlin, John Rigney of El Cerrito, and daughter Kathleen Dietrich of Davis. He has five grandchildren.

 

The family wishes to thank Rosa Taufahema for her steadfast caretaking during Bob's final two years.

 

Bob lived for and through his friends. One life-long friend, Dr. Philip Held, has done remarkable work to study and address the issue of kidney transplant wait-times. Those who wish to honor Bob can make a donation to the National Kidney Donation Organization at https://www.nkdo.org/greatestgift/. Or in keeping with his style, call an old friend to reminisce about the good times.

 

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

 

PAA/DL Capt. Peter Bennett

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

LTCOL USAFR ret., PAA/DL Capt. Peter Bennett

March 19, 1939 ~ April 6, 2024

 

We note the passing of retired Pan Am/Delta pilot Captain Peter Bennett, age 85.  Peter joined Pan American 06-20-1966 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Christiane, and by his children and their families.

Obituary information can be viewed online at

https://www.tcpalm.com/obituaries/psar0781731  also at

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/eastbayri/name/peter-bennett-obituary?id=54842202

PCN memorial site

 

Peter Bennett Obituary

Peter Bennett, resident of Fort Pierce, FL, passed away on April 6th at age 85. Peter was born in Framingham, MA, on March 19th, 1939. After graduating high school in Barrington, RI, in June 1957, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a Russian language specialist while based in Osan, Korea. He was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program and was a distinguished graduate of Class 61-B, receiving his USAF pilot wings and commissioned a second lieutenant. In 1966, Peter was hired by Pan American World Airways and flew for them for the next 25 years, retiring early as a Captain on the 727 in 1991 to join Delta Airlines, where he retired as a Captain in 2001. Peter completed his military service with 24 years including active and reserve duty and retired as a Lt. Colonel.

 

Peter is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Christiane. He is also survived by his 5 children with their families: Susan Bennett and Hope Bennett Brown; Peter Allen, Stephanie, Hailey and Hannah Bennett; Steven, Tonya, Jona, Kai and Eva Bennett; Nicki, Thomas, Emilia and Isabel Bennett Conan; and Tini, Luke, Logan, Carlos, Teo and Maya Bennett; by his siblings Becky Gunn and Deborah Buckley; his siblings' families; and many other family and friends in the United States, Germany and the rest of the world. He was predeceased by his parents, Hope and Howard Bennett, and his siblings Betsy and Jamie Bennett.

 

Family was the most important thing in Peter's life, and we are grateful that he was surrounded by his wife and all of his children in his final days on earth. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society are welcomed.

 

DL Capt. Robert H. (Bob) Gould

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL Capt. Robert H. (Bob) Gould

October 27, 1943 - April 05, 2024

 

From friends and colleagues we have learned of the passing of Delta Golden Wings member retired Delta pilot Captain Robert “Bob” Harold Gould, age 80.  Bob joined Delta Air Lines 08-08-1966 and was Dallas based for the majority of his career, then 031/ATL prior to retiring with Delta.  Bob is survived by his wife Carolyn, and by his children and his grandchildren.

Obituary and service information may be found online at

https://www.wileyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Captain-Robert-H-Bob-Gould?obId=31148131 

Condolences may be sent to the family at

7310 RAVENSWOOD RD

GRANBURY TX 76049-4739

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site

Obituary  :  Captain Robert H. (Bob) Gould, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on

Friday, April 5, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born October 27, 1943, in Jackson,

Mississippi to James B. and Wilma Gould.

Bob began his career as a pilot for Delta Air Lines at the early age of 23 and retired in 2003. Bob

was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing with family and friends at the Texas coast. The coast

was his second home, and he spent many weekends with his wife and family on his boat. Bob

absolutely loved being a Papaw to his grandchildren. Family meant so much to him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved dog, Charly; his parents; a brother, Jerry Gould; and two

sisters, Glenda, and Amelia.

Bob is survived by his wife of (59) years, Carolyn H. Gould; son, Harry Gould and wife Joyce,

daughter Teresa Ciha and husband Stu, son, Scott Gould, and wife Beverly; four grandchildren,

Shannon Gould, Cameron Gould, Grayson Gould, and Jackson Ciha; numerous nieces and

nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 11am, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Acton Cemetery in

Granbury under the direction of Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury.

 

ACTON CEMETERY 3629 Fall Creek Hwy., Granbury, TX 76048

GRAVESIDE :  April 13 at 11:00 AM      Location: Acton Cemetery