NWA/DL Capt. Bradley Root

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NWA/DL Capt. Bradley Root

April 29, 1956 ~ May 7, 2026

 

Captain Bradley “Brad” Vohn Root, aviator, husband and man in command, passed peacefully……………. Captain Root joined Northwest Airlines 12-08-1989 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 2021. Bradley is survived by his wife Cathy and had most recently resided in Sarasota, Florida.

Services for Captain Root will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota.

PCN memorial site  

 

https://www.heraldtribune.com/obituaries/psar1478111

Bradley V. Root, aviator, husband and man in command, passed peacefully on May 7, 2026, at 70 years old. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Mary Ellen Harrison Root and Clayton V. Root.

From early in life, Brad knew what he wanted. He became an Eagle Scout in high school. While in college, he earned his private pilot’s license, beginning his lifelong passion for aviation. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin as a finance major, he joined the United States Air Force. Excitedly driving off to Officer’s Training School, he forgot to say goodbye to his mother. Brad received his Officer’s Commission and was based at Travis Air Force Base, initially as a Budget Officer and then as a Pilot. He flew the C-141 out of Travis. He later flew the C-23 out of Zweibrücken, Germany. From Zweibrücken, Brad flew many missions, including those in the First Gulf War - Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. During the course of his nine years of active duty and 11 years of reserve duty, Brad flew missions all over the world, including to Antarctica. He received numerous Awards and Commendations of Valor.

Upon discharge from active duty, Major Bradley V. Root was hired by Northwest Airlines, which later merged with Delta Air Lines. He retired in 2021. Brad loved flying long haul, international flights, with his favorites being Amsterdam, Rome and Mumbai. When not working and after retirement, he enjoyed flying his several small planes.

Brad was a man of little patience, deep kindness and great humor. He loved his family and was interested in his family histories dating back to the Antebellum South and Alsace, France. Having proudly served his country, he was deeply grateful for the experiences and opportunities he had during those years. Brad made and maintained treasured friendships throughout his life. Brad always said that his most valued points in life were, in no specified order: receiving his Commission as an Officer to the USAF, getting his job as a pilot at Northwest Airlines and marrying Cathy, the love of his life.

Brad will be forever loved, remembered and missed. He will receive a military funeral at Sarasota National Cemetery. Those wishing to pay their respects, please raise your glass and toast our dearly loved one, always.