RC/RW/NWA Capt. David (Dave) Arnold Harris

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, RC/RW/NWA Capt. David (Dave) Arnold Harris

August 8, 1941 - May 7, 2024

As noted in the June-July issue of the Air Line Pilot magazine, the passing of Northwest Airlines pilot Captain David (Dave) Harris, age 82.  From what I can find, I believe Dave started his aviation career with Bonanza/AirWest in January 1968.  Dave is survived by his wife Nancy, and by his children and their families.

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PCN memorial site

 

Obituary  :  David “Dave” Harris passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, of natural causes as his loving wife Nancy and 2 daughters, Kathy and Jennifer held his hands to let him know it was ok to go to the light and be with God.

 

He was the first-born son to his mother and Father, Roseanna Newberg and James Harris on August 8, 1941, in McKees Rocks, PA.

 

Dave married Nancy on September 19, 1961, in Altus, Oklahoma after having met when he was 18 and she was 15.  They were introduced by Tom, a close friend of Nancy’s from Rochester, NY, when he went to visit Tom’s family during their Army leave.  The rest of their marriage was a true love story filled with many moves around the country and raising their 2 daughters.

 

Dave had always dreamed of becoming a pilot since the time he was a young boy.  Flying lessons were expensive as an early teenager and knew he would have to be creative to earn his pilot’s license. He spent a lot of time at the local airplane hangar talking to the owner and pilots as they went about their day.  At some point a deal was reached that Dave would sweep and clean in exchange for flying lessons.  He went on to earn his pilot’s license before he could drive a car, flew for the US Army in the Vietnam War and became an airline Captain for Delta before his retirement. His dream had become reality and never lost his love for flight.

 

Dave was known for his involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association, volunteering his time in Boise and at the national level to support the families of patients with this disease. He was recognized by the community in 2004, receiving the Idaho Health Care Association for Life Enrichment Award and The Jefferson Award for recognition of outstanding public service. He was also an active volunteer at the War Hawk Museum, as well as with Lutheran Community Services.

 

Dave spent his time in retirement traveling the world with Nancy not only in planes but also RV-ing around the country, always meeting new people who would become lifelong friends. Retirement was not going to keep him from flying, while not in a plane that hauled passengers, he learned and enjoyed flying radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters, and drones. Reading was one of his biggest past times, always learning or enjoying a favorite author.

 

Dave is survived by his spouse, Nancy, daughter, Kathy (Ryan) Buzzini, Jennifer (Brad) Klosterman, grandchildren, Megan and Matt Aldape, Macy and Kellan Klosterman, great grandchildren, Joey and Amaya Aldape and brothers, Jim and Mike Harris.  He is preceded in death by his mother and Father, as well as sisters, Patricia Collins and Peggy Bell.

 

In remembrance of Dave’s life, there will be a Memorial Service held July 25, 2024, at 2:00 PM, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

 

The family would like to thank to the ICU Nurses and Doctors at Meridian St. Luke’s for their compassionate care of not only Dave, but to his family as well.

 

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project or US Department of Veteran Affairs.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-harris-5b797a35/

Retired Captain, Delta airlines, formerly with, Northwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Hughes Airwest Airlines, Airwest Airlines! And finally, Bonanza Airlines.

After early medical retirement I designed, wrote, and conducted CRM courses for a number of airlines including Alaska Airlines, Pan American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Comair Airlines, Carnival Airlines, and American Trans Airlines. I also conducted CRM seminars for several overseas airlines.