NWA Capt. Melvin G. Craig

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Flying Tiger/North Central Airlines/Republic Airlines/Northwest Airlines

Military veteran, NWA Capt. Melvin G. Craig

June 14, 1932 ~ December 23, 2022

 

Notice of passing…..retired Northwest Airlines pilot Captain Mel Craig, age 90.

Please visit these links to view obituary information:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/melvin-craig-obituary?id=38474604 

https://www.burnsfuneral.com/obituaries/Melvin-Craig/#!/TributeWall

 

Melvin Craig

Melvin G. Craig (“Mel”), age 90, of St. John Township, Crown Point, peacefully passed

away on December 23, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. On June 14, 1948, at the

age of 16, Mel received his private pilot’s license at Triangle Airport in Dyer. At that time,

Mel was believed to be the youngest Chicago-Calumet area pilot. He began his flight

training at the Triangle Airport at age 14, in exchange for doing odd jobs around the

airport. He had to wait until he turned 16 to achieve his pilot’s license, because the

aeronautic regulations ban solo flights under the age of 16. Mel was a 1950 graduate of

St. John Township High School of Dyer. In December of 1952, Mel was drafted into the

Army where he served during the Korean War as an airline mechanic, until November of

1954. On January 23, 1965, he married Carol Jeanne Gettler. Mel was a member of the

Mason Lodge. He was also a commercial airline pilot, achieving ratings of Airline

Transport Pilot, Airplane Single Engine Land and Airplane Multiengine Land. After flying

for 50 years and logging more than 30,000 hours piloting a plane, Mel was awarded the

Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2006. At

the time Mel received The Wright Brothers award it had only been awarded to 560 other

pilots worldwide. In order to be nominated for The Wright Brothers award, he had to fulfill

50 consecutive years of flying, obtain 3 letters of recommendation from holders of FAA

pilot certificates, as well as have a clean safety history. After 33 years, he retired from his

job as a commercial airplane pilot, where he had worked for Flying Tiger, North Central

Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. Mel also loved to restore airplanes,

including an AT-6, BT-13, and his pride and joy, a red Beechcraft Staggerwing, which was

shown at the Rockford Air Show. Mel was on the emergency response “go-team” where

he would investigate crash scenes involving airplanes for North Central Airlines, Republic

Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. He also flew as a personal pilot for Scheffer Corp. Mel

had forgotten more about flying than most will ever know or ever learn. He loved to share

his knowledge of airplanes and flying with anyone who was interested. Mel inspired many

to become airline pilots due his love of flying.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Mathew and Jean Craig. Mel is survived by his

loving wife, Carol J. Craig, his son, John (Megan) Craig, and grandchildren Madison, Kate

& William.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Burns Funeral Home, 10101

Broadway, Crown Point, Indiana. A service will be held at 10:00 on Friday, December 30,

2022, at Burns Funeral Home, immediately followed by a gravesite service at Graceland

Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

https://www.burnsfuneral.com/

Burns Funeral Home & Crematory - Crown Point

10101 Broadway

Crown Point, IN 46307