~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Bruce Elbert Despain
May 3, 1930 — April 12, 2026
Captain Bruce “Phantom” Elbert Despain joined
Western Airlines 05-01-1957 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1990 based SLC. Widowed in 2012, Bruce is survived by his children
and their families. Bruce had resided in
Draper, Utah: 14178 S Bangerter Pkwy Unit 211, Draper, UT 84020.
A graveside service will be held on April 25th, at
2:00 at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights,
UT 84121.
PCN memorial site
https://www.legacy.com/person/Bruce-Elbert-Despain-61197592
Bruce Elbert Despain obituary:
Bruce Elbert Despain was born on May 3, 1930, and
passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026, just shy of his 96th birthday. His
beautiful wife, Beverly, and sweet granddaughter, Chelsea, have been waiting on
the other side for his arrival.
Bruce was raised at the family home in the mouth
of Little Cottonwood Canyon by his parents, Elbert George Despain and Miriam
Charlotte Hawkins Despain. He talked often about his years in the canyons,
farming, and riding horses. His grandfather, LE Despain, owned an ore hauling
business, which Bruce’s father, Elbert, took over. Elbert taught many of his
sons to drive the trucks at a very young age by holding fingers out the window
to tell them what gear to shift into!
Bruce loved to ski in his Little Cottonwood
mountains and had the opportunity to ski with some of the greats, including Alf
Engen, who set several ski jumping world records in the 1930s and established a
ski school at the Alta ski resort. Alf was also a pioneer of powder skiing.
As a young man, Bruce won a flying lesson on a
radio show, and that was it! His love of flying was born. While attending the
University of Utah, he was enrolled in the Air Force ROTC. He then entered
active duty with the Air Force just prior to the end of the Korean War. He
obtained the rank of Captain. His call sign was “Phantom”, a nickname that
continued his whole life. He served active duty as a pilot and as a reserve as
well. Bruce was also a veteran of the Korean War. After his service, he started
his career with Western Airlines, which later became Delta Air Lines, and
retired in 1990 after 33 years of service. Both of his sons followed in his
footsteps and became airline pilots.
Bruce met his spouse, Beverly, through his
sister-in-law, who thought they’d have a lot in common, since she was a
stewardess for United Airlines. That successful lineup led to a wedding in the
Salt Lake Temple on November 19, 1959. Beverly and Bruce were companions for 52
years until Beverly passed away on January 27, 2012.
Their very first home was in Cottonwood Heights on
Catalina Dr. The family had many happy memories in the five years they lived
there. Bruce was notorious for antics involving the blowing up of the
neighbors’ garbage cans with flair and creativity accompanied by his best
friend and partner in crime, Carl Church. All in fun! They moved to Seattle,
Washington, in 1968, where they built another home on hole 1 of a beautiful
golf course. The whole family loved it there, but Bruce could never let go of
his love for the mountains. They moved back to Utah 3 years later. It took over
a year to build the Willow Creek home at the top of Bridger Boulevard, where
many a grand party, backyard barbecues, weddings, social gatherings, festive
holidays, and volleyball or badminton in the driveway were always happening.
Beverly and Bruce’s final home was in the Steeplechase neighborhood in Draper,
Utah.
Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt
and fish. As the years went on, he became the man who would rather take
pictures and make friends with the fish. On numerous trips down the Green
River, he would stop at a place he called “The Lunch Counter.” His fish friends
would recognize his kick boat and come swimming for treats and belly rubs!
There are pictures to prove the lasting relationships he formed with his “fin”
friends! Bruce taught his sons and grandsons the art of fly fishing and took
his kids fishing in Alaska. They all have many fond fishing memories with dad
and grandpa.
With all the airline passes available to the
family, they were able to take many wonderful vacations to Germany, Austria,
Canada, Alaska, many states, and multiple visits to California and Hawaii.
Bruce had many other talents. He used his artist
skills to paint his beloved Cottonwood Canyons. He was a great boatman and took
family and friends on many trips. On one trip to Lake Powell with Bev’s sister
Frankie and her family, the boat was having mechanical problems. The group was
stuck on the boat ramp for several hours, and they became increasingly hungry.
Bev jumped up and made sandwiches. From then on, in any extreme circumstances,
the family joke was to “just make sandwiches!”
Brigette learned to finish house construction from
her father. He really was a great teacher and shared his skills generously.
Bruce loved his kids and extended family and made
up detailed names for them. His oldest son Brett was affectionately named
“kid.” His daughter Brigette was “dolly,” and Brandt was originally nicknamed
“buzzard” due to his initial grumpiness as a young child. Many family members
remember their “Bruce-given” name with love and appreciation for his
creativity!
He taught his children shooting skills, and all
three of them competed in shooting competitions. Brett has won many awards and
still competes in trapshooting.
Bruce was a tough, strict military man, with a
warm and fuzzy interior and a heart full of love.
He is survived by his brothers Richard (Marilyn)
& Michael (Lynn) Despain. Son, Brett Despain (Andrea), daughter, Brigette
Nielsen, son, Brandt Despain (TuRea). Grandchildren, Chase Harrison (Mikah),
Chad Harrison, Alexis Despain (Bret), Niki Hansen (Alex), Rachel Ferguson
(Colton), Kylee Despain (Austin), Alex and Elyse Despain. Great-grandchildren
Railee, Chelsea, Cade, Skylar, Maverick, Rosie, Charlotte, Olivia, and our
newest lil’ man, Bennett. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Gail (Beverly),
wife Beverly, granddaughter Chelsea Ann, and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on April 25,
2026, at 2:00 at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood
Heights, UT 84121.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/saltlaketribune/name/beverly-despain-obituary?id=25889201
Beverly Despain Obituary
Beverly Jean McInelly Despain
8/15/1935 ~ 1/27/2012
Beverly Despain, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed
away Friday, January 27, 2012 surrounded by her family at a hospital in
Riverton, Utah.
Born in Escalante, Utah, to Frank B. and Mearl McInelly, Beverly was the eldest
sister of Frankie and Steven McInelly.
Beverly graduated from Granite High School and attended Brigham Young
University; it was there she polished her love of singing by touring in a vocal
group with her life-long friends.
She left BYU to be a secretary for General Motors, and later became a
stewardess at United Airlines; however, her greatest calling and achievement
was as a wife and mother to a very active and fun family.
Beverly was sealed to Bruce E. Despain in the Salt Lake City temple on November
19, 1959. She had three children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grand
children, whom she loved dearly……………………….
