NWA Capt. Clarence E. Hitchcock

 Clarence E. Hitchcock

1938 ~ 2020

   Captain Clarence Eugene Hitchcock, age 81, died on May 25, 2020.. For Gene Hitchcock of Laurens, Iowa it all started with a kiddy-corner cut across the state of Iowa, by-passing Iowa State University at Ames, to reach Iowa City and enroll in the Air Force ROTC at the University of Iowa. Following graduation, and with a new Air Force commission, Gene journeyed to Reese Air Force base just outside of Lubbock, Texas to commence pilot training in class 64-C. It was love at first sight for Gene as they were the first class to start in the beautiful T-38 trainer. Gene also fell in love with a Texas Tech student, Suzanne Montague of Beaumont, Texas. After getting his wings, Gene and Suzanne married and headed to Fairchild AFB in Spokane where he would be flying the B-52. It could be said Gene fell in love with every airplane he flew. During those military days Gene deployed to Anderson AFB in Guam and flew into Vietnam with Operation Arc Light.

      While in Spokane Gene, and Suzanne’s two children, Kathryn and Harold “Hal” were born. Nearing the end of his military commitment, Gene started looking at the hiring airlines as he found a home with the big planes. Northwest was the first to invite him in for an interview and give him a pass. He liked what he saw.....more Boeing aircraft! They quickly moved to the Twin Cities and joined up in November 06, 1967.

   The love affair with the big Boeings allowed him to fly all the 727, 707/720 series, 757, and 747’s. He was on the DC-10 as an S/O for just six months. His career with NWA came to an end in 1995 when he medically retired following serious back problems.

   There were three big ‘’F’s” in Gene and Suzanne’s life: Family, Faith, and Flying. Not just for Gene and Suzanne....but for the whole family.

   In the early 90’s, while living in the Lakeville area, the Hitchcock’s wanted to jump in a little deeper and fly a little higher by buying, or building, a hangar at the Anoka County Airport. They did not just “buy” a hangar but went all out and built a house in near-by North Oaks to be in close proximity to the hangar. They first purchased the old University of Minnesota hangar which had just come up for sale. As said before, this was an entire family affair. The first big project: Hal wanted to build a Christian Eagle!

For the unfamiliar, this is a fully aerobatic, home built biplane that was very complex for the first-time builder. But the family went at it with each family member developing their own specialties. This was quickly followed by total rebuilds on several Cessna 172’s, 182’s, and a 206. Thence, a Citabria, and then a Navy T-34! A hangar for Gene and family was not to just store aircraft. It was a place to work together and do total....every nut, bolt, and rivet rebuilds. (By the way, Suzanne has a great reputation as a riveter.). Mom and Hal learned to fly and got their licenses in a 172 that they had rebuilt.

   In 1997, about the time they were finishing the T-34B, Gene bought an imported war bird, a North American T-28 “Fennec”. The Fennec served as an attack and fighter aircraft with the French Moroccan Air Force. But it was too big for the U of M hangar. There was a large parcel of land next to their facility, so the Hitchcock’s immediately leased same and built a 60 x 80 hangar to house their growing enterprise. The 23 year project T-28 Fennec is in its final weeks. The airplane has been repainted in original French Moroccan colors. It is like a T-28B, but also equipped with hard points for weapons of war.

   The family also have interests in some unique four wheelers. A Morris Minor pick-up truck (with right hand drive) and three Mini Coopers are in varied stages of restoration.

   Gene continued quarter-backing the many family projects and did extensive research on every facet of the rebuilds. Quite often the Hitchcock’s brought in outside help (usually a former NWA mechanic) to help with special projects. Finding or manufacturing rare parts was always a very time consuming …. and expensive effort. The hangar was well equipped with overhaul equipment, engine stands, hoists, and tooling, allowed them space and flexibility to handle all their varied projects.

   In time Gene wanted to slow up a bit and complete the T-28 Fennec project along with a few auto restorations. Obviously, no one could step in and do things like Gene was doing. His son Hal, the logical one to take over, has a law practice in Cambridge that would not allow the time commitment required. So, with some outside help coming in to help finish the projects, the airplane and assets will go on the market.

   In recent months Gene was having difficulty with his health and was hospitalized. During that time, he experienced a heart attack and passed away on May 30th. Because of Covid 19 restrictions, funeral services were private for the family. Gene’s remains were interned next to those of his daughter within St. Christopher’s Church in Roseville, MN. Daughter Kathleen died in 2007.

(-Roger Moberg)

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Clarence E. Hitchcock

October 29, 1938 ~ May 30, 2020

This news comes to us from the Retired Northwest Pilots Association group, the passing of retired Northwest pilot Captain Clarence Eugene ‘Gene’ Hitchcock, age 81.  Captain Hitchcock joined Northwest Airlines 11-06-1967. 

As more information is received, we will pass along those updates.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

RNPA memo:   I regret to inform you that NWA Captain Clarence E. Hitchcock passed away

this past Saturday, May 30th.

 

Gene' was 81 years old and resided in North Oaks, MN. Raised and educated in

Iowa. After college Gene served in the Air Force veteran. He was a graduate

of USAF Pilot Training Class 64-C at Reese AFB. Thereafter he flew the B-52

and flew missions during the Vietnam War in Operation Arc Light.

Gene was hired by NWA on November 06, 1967 and retired off the 747/400 in

October 1998. You could safely say that Gene and his son were Master

Restores of aircraft, including a T-28. Further details will be contained in

an obituary to be posted on the RNPA website.

Information regarding a memorial service is still undetermined. We will keep

you informed.

Respectfully, 

Bill Day

NWA Capt. James J. Shoberg

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA Capt. James J. Shoberg

August 21, 1929 - March 25, 2020

Word has reached our group with the passing of retired Northwest pilot Captain James John Shoberg, age 90.  Captain Shoberg joined Northwest Airlines 10-12-1955, first as a mechanic and worked his way up the ranks to Flight Engineer.  Widowed in August 2011 with the passing of his wife Sylvia, Captain Shoberg is survived by his children, plus his grand- and great grandchildren.

Obituary information is available online at

 https://www.michaelsonfuneral.com/obituaries/James-J-Shoberg?obId=12566420 

also at https://www.lastingmemories.com/memorial/james-j-shoberg?obituaries 

and at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208600257/james-j_-shoberg  

Sylvia’s obituary is available at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74970387/sylvia-norma-shoberg

Please see below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

Obituary:  https://www.michaelsonfuneral.com/obituaries/James-J-Shoberg?obId=12566420

James J. Shoberg, 90, of Kenyon, died Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at his home.

He was born August 21, 1929, in Taylor Falls, the son of John and Johanna (Nelson) Shoberg. He grew up during the great depression and at a young age his father passed away. He began working on the family farm where he also was a construction truck driver. James attended North Branch High School. He entered into the United States Army on March 13, 1951 and served during the Korean Conflict. His Army unit provided communications support for an Atom bomb test at Desert Rock Nevada, where he witnessed a 20-kiloton air burst Atomic bomb detonation. He was honorably discharged on March 12, 1953 and returned home to Almelund Minnesota. On September 5, 1953, he married Sylvia Keacher in Weber. James was a pilot for Northwest Airlines from 1958-1990 where he retired.

James enjoyed flying for a living which allowed him to travel around the world. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. James enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his children; Wayne (and Carol) Shoberg of San Antonio, Dave (and Sue) Shoberg of Plattsmouth, Scott (and Sheila) Shoberg of Farmington, Lisa (and Al) Weiner of Rochester; sister, Lucille Dresel of North Branch; 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Shoberg who died on August 14, 2011; brothers, Everett Shoberg and Raymond Shoberg; and sister, Evelyn Trulson.

A memorial service will be at a later date. Interment will be in the Dale Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Kenyon. Memorials are preferred to Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul and St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, MT.

…………………. Sylvia Norma Keacher Shoberg BIRTH          23 Dec 1928 Isanti, Isanti County, Minnesota, USA DEATH         14 Aug 2011 (aged 82) Kenyon, Goodhue County, Minnesota, USA BURIAL       Dale Lutheran Church Cemetery Kenyon, Goodhue County, Minnesota, USA  Show Map

NWA Capt. Charles M. Huffaker

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NWA Capt. Charles M. Huffaker

February 28, 1936 ~ May 16, 2020

News has reached us with the passing of retired Northwest pilot Captain Charles Marshall Huffaker, age 84.  Captain Huffaker joined Northwest Airlines 09-23-1968.  Please see Captain Huffaker’s life story below as was graciously shared by the Retired Northwest Pilots Association group.  Captain Huffaker’s passing is also noted online at https://supersabresociety.com/biography/huffaker-charles-m/

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

 Charles M. Huffaker

1936 ~ 2020

  Captain Charles M. Huffaker, age 84, died May 16, 2020 at Sun Lakes, Arizona. ‘Charlie’ was born February 28, 1936 to Joseph and Fay Huffaker in Ector, Texas, 20 miles east of Sherman, Texas. He had one sibling - a sister. Charlie’s father was a draftsman/engineer at Convair Aircraft in Ft. Worth, TX.

  

   Charlie was fascinated by objects of flight from an early age. By the third grade he was making and flying kites, this evolved into making and flying all varieties of model aircraft. Charlie attended Polytechnic High School in Ft. Worth. Where his talent for mathematics and detail led to an internship as a draftsman with Bell Helicopter while still in high school. After graduation Charlie matriculated to the University of Texas at Arlington.

   In 1957 Charlie succumbed to an Air Force recruiter’s offer to quickly put him in a jet cockpit and enlisted in the Air Force as a Navigator Aviation Cadet. He graduated with Harlingen AFB Class 58-07 and pinned on his navigator wings and 2/Lt. bars. The next move was 425 miles north to Waco, TX for Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) training at James Connally AFB. Once Charlie completed RIO training, he was assigned to the prestigious 62^nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron (F-101B) at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan, 17 miles south of Marquette, Michigan. Do recall that Charlie was from Texas and understandably not fond of Lake Superior winters. He liked to share a story about coming inside from the ramp, removing his hat and gloves, only to discover he had also removed some ‘hide’ from his ears and fingers from frostbit. No wonder he retired in AZ.

   From the beginning Charlie intended to become a pilot. During this era, it was not uncommon for navigators and radar intercept officers to become pilots. Charlie’s break came in January 1963 when he received his coveted pilot training slot at William AFB, AZ. Graduating with class 64E. Charlie thereafter received F-100 transition training at Luke AFB, AZ and in October of the same year was reassigned to the 612 TFS (Tac Fighter Squadron) at England, AFB, LA.

   In June 1965, the 612^th TFS squadron was reassigned to Misawa AB, Japan and soon deployed to Phan Rhang AB Vietnam. Obviously, Charlie did not exactly homestead at any Air Force base. From October 1965 to May 1967 he flew extensive combat missions in the F-100 in support of ground forces and interdicting enemy troop movement. In addition, he interdicted the enemy supply system in the famous Parrot’s Beak region of Vietnam. In late May 1967 he returned to Misawa AB, Japan. Charlie served the USAF for 11 years, flew combat and was highly decorated with multiple Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

   During his Air Force years, Charlie married Malinda Milrany of Ft. Worth, TX. The couple had two children, sons Lee of Monroe, WA, and Wayne Charles. The marriage was dissolved in 1980.

  

   Charlie was hired by Northwest Airlines on September 23, 1968. His initial training and crew position were as a Boeing 707 Second Officer. Over the next 31 years and 5 months Charlie would fly the 727, 707, 757, DC-10, and the classic 747. The author of this obituary had the privilege of checking Charlie out as First Office on the 727 and the DC-10. Training Charlie was a stress-free experience. NWA pilot Mike Ristow summarizes the line pilots high regard for Charlie Huffaker. “One of the primary benefits of working at NWA was the opportunity to meet some of the most outstanding people, learn from them and with them, to have a wide range of qualities to admire and try to emulate. Charlie was the same great person on his last day as he was on the first day we met at the start of our 707 class in September 68. We shared many fine times together, and even caught the occasional fish, lied about our golf, and for sure shared some laughs.  I feel a real loss. Thanks for being here Charlie.”

   Charlie Huffaker hung up his flying spurs and put away the flight bag in February 1996. In view of his well-known disdain for cold weather, Charlie moved to Sun Lakes, AZ. There he stayed in touch with his F-100 pals through the Super Sabre Society, communicated often with his NWA colleagues, and pursued his passions for golf and fly fishing. When in the Pacific Northwest he joined his friends at the monthly luncheons of the North Puget Sound Retired NWA pilots. Late in life Charlie was plagued by back trouble which led to eventual institutionalization in a care facility.

   Survivors are his son Lee and Wayne Charles.

(- Bill Day, RNPA)

DL Capt. Richard E. Vondrak

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Richard E. Vondrak

May 13, 1942 ~ January ??, 2019

Belated news, as was recently noted in ALPA’s In Memoriam column, the passing of Delta pilot Captain Richard Edward Vondrak, age 76.  Captain Vondrak joined Delta Air Lines 01-29-1973 and retired with Delta in 2002, based 030/CVG. 

For those wishing to contact the family, there is a whitepages listing c/o Susan Vondrak at

3080 Rockwell Cir.,  Mundelein, IL 60060.

Also at :  8040 Sailboat Key Blvd S Apt 306 , St Pete Beach, FL 33707.

Should we receive additional information, we will be sure to pass it along.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

DL CAPT. LAWRENCE CHARLES 'CHUCK' ALBERS III

~ IN MEMORY ~

 DL CAPT. LAWRENCE CHARLES 'CHUCK' ALBERS III

Birth:  12 Jun 1956     Clark AFB, Luzon, Davao Oriental, Philippines

Death:   9 Feb 2020    Kailua Kona, Hawaii, Hawaii

Belated news, as was recently noted in ALPA’s In Memoriam column, the passing of Delta pilot Captain LAWRENCE CHARLES ‘CHUCK’ ALBERS III, age 63.  Captain Albers joined Delta Air Lines 09-14-1989, and was based Atlanta.  I believe Captain Albers was quite involved with the Delta Pilots Charitable Fund, a philanthropic organization especially benefitting children.

I was not able to find an online obituary…no other details or service arrangements are known at this time. 

For those who may wish to contact the family, whitepages lists the most current mailing data as

c/o Linda Bell Albers, 75-641 Huaai St.,  Kailua Kona, HI 96740.

Should more information be received we can then pass it along.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN