~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, NWA Capt. David Halsor
May 7, 1933
- June 26, 2026
RNPA member retired Northwest Airlines pilot
Captain David Roger Halsor joined Northwest 04-23-1959. Widowed two years ago, David is survived by
his children and their families.
Please see online links to the Halsor’s obituaries
below.
PCN memorial site
https://www.northfieldfuneral.com/obituaries/David-Roger-Halsor?obId=48849410
David Roger
Halsor
David R. Halsor, 93, passed away suddenly early
Friday morning, June 26, 2026, at the Northfield emergency room with family by
his side. David was born on May 7, 1933, in Madison, WI, to Melvin and Irene
(Moen) Halsor.
David grew up in DeForest, WI. He graduated from
DeForest High School in 1951. As a teenager, he worked at his father’s John
Deere dealership, often being charged with the job of “reading the
instructions” on how to assemble the equipment. David graduated from St. Olaf
College in 1955 with a major in economics. During the spring of his senior
year, he met the love of his life, Patricia Snyder, and they were engaged six
months later. In the fall of 1955, he began Air Force basic training in
Georgia, and so began another love of David’s: flying airplanes. During the
summer of 1956, he married Pat on July 12 in Montana and then moved to Reese
Air Force Base in Lubbock, TX. He was a flight instructor on B-25s while in the
Air Force, and was often given the most challenging students; because of his
calm and patient demeanor, he was considered an excellent teacher. While
serving in the Air Force Reserve, David was briefly mobilized during the Cuban
Missile Crisis.
David began flying with Northwest Airlines in
1959, moving first to St. Paul and then to Bloomington. He flew commercial
flights safely for 34 years as a captain, piloting Electras, 727s, and DC-10s,
and retired in 1993. He often said how lucky he was to have an occupation he
truly enjoyed.
In 1969, David purchased his first of five
sailboats, beginning a lifelong passion for sailing. He loved the challenge of
reading the wind, trimming the sails, and quietly coaxing every bit of speed
from the boat. While others grew anxious when the weather turned rough, David
never did. Calm, steady, and confident, he inspired trust on the water just as
he had in the cockpit. Sailing became another way he shared his love of
teaching, leadership, and adventure with family and friends.
Whether in the cockpit or on the water, David’s
calm presence stood out. In tense moments, he rarely showed outward worry, and
those around him quickly learned to trust his quiet confidence. It became a
source of comfort and an example to follow for family and friends in every part
of his life.
After David’s retirement in 1993, David and Pat
moved to Northfield, building a home they planned to live in for the rest of
their lives—a wish they were both granted.
David was a member of both Transfiguration
Lutheran Church in Bloomington and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield,
serving in numerous council positions. He was also a member of Northfield’s
Rotary Club and Elder Collegium.
David was a problem solver and could fix anything.
After he retired, he taught himself how to use a computer allowing him to
continue learning, and to stay connected to family and friends. As David aged
his body wore down but his mind remained so sharp.
David will be greatly missed by his two children,
Karen (Jeff) Davidson of Kenyon, MN, and Peter (Annabelle) Halsor of
Winchester, England; four grandchildren, Emily Davidson, Elizabeth (Jeremy)
Bancroft, Edward (Holly) Halsor, and Isabella Halsor; great-grandson Vernon
Bancroft; and sister Ruth (Mick) Peterson of Danbury, WI. He was preceded in
death by his wife, Patricia, and his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday,
August 18, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield. Visitation will
be on hour prior to the service at the church. David will be placed in the St.
John’s Columbarium with military honors, outside the church after the service.
A reception will follow in the church.
Memorials preferred to the St. John’s Lutheran
Church Foundation.
Funeral arrangements are
with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com
https://www.northfieldfuneral.com/obituaries/Patricia-Ann-Halsor?obId=32284649
Patricia Ann Halsor
May 30, 1936
- July 8, 2024
Patricia
Halsor, 88, passed away Monday July 8, 2024 at her home in Northfield, MN
surrounded by her family. Pat was born on May 30, 1936 in Big Timber, Montana,
the only child of Ross and Jennie Snyder.
Pat was a graduate of Sweet Grass County High School class of
1954 with 52 members. She later enjoyed attending and helping with their
reunions, every five years, Pat came east to attend St. Olaf College in 1954
where she met David in the spring of 1955. They were immediately attracted to
each other and soon became engaged. They married on July 12, 1956, and moved to
Lubbock, TX, where David was serving in the Air Force. Their daughter Karen,
was born there at the Base Hospital. After three years in the Air Force, David
got a job as a pilot with NWA and they moved to Bloomington, Minnesota.
Pat was an active member of Transfiguration Lutheran Church in
Bloomington for 33 years, where she served on the church council, as president
of the Lutheran Church Women and was a long-time soprano singer in the choir………….
