NC/NWA Capt. Philip John Soderlind

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NC/NWA Capt. Philip John Soderlind    

June 19, 1934 - August 22, 2022

 

The recent October issue of the AIR LINE PILOT magazine notes the passing of retired North Central/Northwest Airlines pilot Captain Philip John Soderlind, age 88, of Scottsdale, Arizona.   Widowed in 2018, Phil is survived by their children and grandchildren.

Links to both John and his wife Marian’s obituaries are available online at   https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/25688457/philip-j-soderlind   and

 https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/azcentral/name/marian-soderlind-obituary?id=1958375

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

 

Obituary : Philip John Söderlind, a retired airline pilot and the loving husband of Marian “Rusty” Söderlind, passed away on August 22, 2022, at his home.

 

Philip was born in 1934 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to first-generation Swedish parents, Eleanor Bymark and Dr. Ragnar Söderlind. Philip spent his formative years in Minneapolis and long summers and vacations at the family cabin in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. The cabin was a special place for the family as it was designed and built in 1924 by his father, Ragnar. During his extended stays in Marine on St. Croix, Philip enjoyed constructing makeshift boats, fishing, and playing badminton with his two older brothers. During the winter months, Philip would deer hunt along the river with his friend Tom Burris. 

 

Phil, as he was known to friends and family, grew to love mechanics and engines. As a teenager, Phil constructed a hot rod from a 1935 Ford. The vehicle was featured in a popular hot rod magazine of the time. His early interests in cars and motorcycles led to a fascination with aeronautics. Phil began flying lessons at age 16, quickly moving from small single engine planes to twin engine DC-3’s. He was hired by North Central Airlines in 1956. At North Central, Phil was quickly promoted to captain at only 23 years of age. Phil’s career in the airline industry spanned over four decades.  He flew everywhere in the continental United States, Osaka, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Australia. He became a leader in his field, piloting large 747-200 jumbo jets and eventually being hired to write operation manuals for the Boeing 757.

 

While stationed in Chicago, Phil met a young flight attendant named Marian “Rusty” Morgan. Rusty loved to tell the story of how she had a crush on the handsome captain and would trade flights with her fellow flight attendants to acquire more time around Philip. Philip and Rusty fell in love and eventually got married in 1966 and started a family. The young family moved from the Chicago area and settled in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1976. Rusty & Phil were married for over 50 years until Rusty passed away, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, in 2018.

 

Phil retired on his birthday, June 19, 1994, and began secondary careers. He worked for NATCO in Eagan, Minnesota, training new pilots. While at NATCO, Philip met Aviv Kivity, co-founder of Avionitek, a software company which developed the first onboard flight computer. Phil worked with the Israeli company over several years, consulting on pilot interaction with computer technology.

 

In Phil’s later years, always looking for ways to learn new skills, he devoted his spare time to purchasing and repairing all kinds of mechanical clocks. He had a special interest in cuckoo clocks. He would often repair clocks for his neighbors and would sometimes give them away as gifts. Well known in his local community, Phil left everyone who met him, including the postman, dry cleaner, dog groomer, housekeeper, & financial advisor with fond memories and kind words for him.

 

Philip was a well-known animal lover throughout his life, always having at least one dog. His last beloved dog, Toby, was by his side when he passed away at home.  

 

Philip is survived by his two children, Jenny Ouimette and Philip Soderlind II, as well as grandchildren: Nelson, Griffin, Hudson, Bennett, Matt, Chris, Jake, Nancy, and Henry.

 

………………………

 

….late wife Marian V, Soderlind 

 MARIAN SODERLIND OBITUARY

Marian "Rusty" Soderlind 1941-2018

- - Daughter of William and Dorothy Morgan, Marian "Rusty" Soderlind passed away on Saturday July 21st. She was 76 years old.

Born in 1941, Rusty was raised in the steel town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. She had two brothers, William and Douglas Morgan. At the age of 18, Rusty left Aliquippa for Chicago, Illinois to work for the airlines. It was during her time as a flight attendant for North Central airlines that she met and fell in love with Captain Philip Soderlind. Marian spent several years accompanying passengers on DC 3 flights throughout the Midwest until marrying Philip Soderlind in Colorado Springs in 1966. They had two children, Jennifer and Philip II, and settled into a home in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 1976, the family moved to Scottsdale AZ, where she raised her children and became part of her local community. She was an excellent hostess and friend. As her children became older, Rusty started a second career as a successful tour guide, which she enjoyed until her retirement in the 2006. Rusty loved games, music and dancing. She would occasionally spend time at the local casinos. Later in life, she was given a dog by her daughter. Her dog, Toby, became a much loved pet among family and friends. Rusty trained Toby to do many tricks, entertaining friends and her 8 grandchildren during visits.

 

Marian spent half of the year in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota at a cabin built by her husband's father. It was in Minnesota that Rusty honed her skill of acquiring antiques at various auctions and estate sales. Rusty spent a great deal of time decorating and entertaining family and friends at the Minnesota cabin.

 

Rusty was known in both Arizona and Minnesota as a generous friend, adoring wife, and loving mother and grandmother.