WA/DL Capt. Reginald A. Hearn

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Reginald A. Hearn

March 8, 1937 ~ May 22, 2020

News with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Reginald Arnold Hearn has reached our group.  Captain Hearn, age 83, joined Western Airlines 10-30-1967 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  Captain Hearn was widowed in May 2018 with the passing of his wife Sue.  He is survived by his fiancée Judy plus many dear friends and aviation colleagues.

This from Western’s Wallybird alumni site:   “Reginald A. Hearn, and good Friend Retired Captain, WAL/DAL passed away at 0100 on May 22nd due to complications of a previous bladder issue. Reg was intending to marry Ms. Judy Hill.  A memorial is planned for October 24th at Palm Springs Community Presbyterian Church.  Cards and letters of condolence may be addressed to: The Family of Reg Hearn, 77915 Cherokee Road, Indian Wells, CA 92210.  No flowers please.”

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

http://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2018/05/

DL Capt. F. Ken Jegen and wife Georgianna

Update:  To share memories online please visit the funeral home website …

link to funeral home website for Georgianna Lee Jegen

 https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/largo-fl/georgianna-jegen-9309179

and for Capt. Jegen

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/largo-fl/frank-jegen-9309125 

                      Thank you/~ Carol

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL Capt. F. Ken Jegen

December 2, 1937 ~ August 5, 2020

Georgianna L. Jegen, wife of DL Capt. F. Ken Jegen

October 21, 1941 ~ August 9, 2020

Sharing this sad news received from a Delta colleague … the passing of retired Delta pilot Captain Frank Kenneth Jegen, age 82.  Captain Jegen joined Delta Air Lines 09-30-1963.  Our thanks to DL Capt. David Smith, ret. MD-11 ATL pilot, who writes : “Capt. Jegen retired after 33 years as a B-767ER Captain based in Atlanta his entire career. He leaves behind his wife, Georgiana, his son Scott, daughter Patricia, and grand-daughter Kenna.”  But sadly we just received another notice today from Capt. Smith stating that wife Georgianna, age 78, has passed away as well. 

To date I’ve not yet seen an online funeral home obituary….arrangements are not known. 

Condolences may be sent to the Jegen family at  

11875 4th ST. E., Treasure Island  FL  33706.

If more is learned, we will be sure to pass along all updates.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

WA/DL Capt. Henry G. Best

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Henry G. Best

December 28, 1936 ~ July 19, 2020

From our Western Wallybird  alumni friends….news with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Henry George Best, age 83.  Captain Best joined Western Airlines 04-27-1964 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based 030/LAX at the time of his retirement.  He is survived by his wife Ruth, his daughters and his grandson..

Obituary information is available online at

  https://www.newsbreak.com/utah/park-city/news/1609412763140/obituary-for-henry-best 

also at https://www.parkrecord.com/news/obituaries/obituary-for-henry-best/#:~:text=Henry%20George%20Best%20passed%20away,NY%20on%20December%2028%2C%201936.

We understand that private services will be held in North Carolina at a date yet to be determined. 

Updates will be posted when known.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

Obituary…………… Henry Best             December 28, 1936 – July 19, 2020

Henry George Best passed away after a brief illness in his home in Banner Elk, North Carolina. He was 83 years old. Henry was born in New York City, NY on December 28, 1936. He grew up in Florida and joined the Air Force at seventeen. After serving four Years in the military, he embarked on his career in aviation. He started as a crop duster and ended his long career in flying as a Delta Airlines Captain. He retired in December 1996. Henry even wrote and published a book “So you want to be an Airline Pilot?” which included his flying memoirs and advice for folks seeking careers in aviation.

Henry enjoyed a long retirement, pursuing many activities. He was passionate about tennis and golf and was always striving to improve his game. Henry was an accomplished skier as well. As a 13-year resident of Utah, he hit the slopes often and loved to shred powder. Before finally settling in North Carolina, Henry and his wife Ruth lived in many different places including St. Augustine, Florida and Park City, Utah. Henry was a social, friendly guy who enjoyed the company of others. Quick to crack a smile or a joke, Henry had a wry sense of humor and loved to amuse those around him. Henry had the gift of gab and was fond of spinning a good yarn and was known for telling bawdy jokes.

Henry was a huge animal lover and cherished his dogs who were a big part of his life. Bishop and Shiloh will surely miss him. Henry is preceded in death by his Father, Harry Best and his Mother, Mercedes Best-Styne. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruthie, and daughters Kim van Ark and Kris Best (Tom Murray) and grandson Grant van Ark.

Henry will be missed by all who knew him. May he fly the friendly skies forever.

WA/DL Capt. Hermann R. W. Schmidt

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Hermann  R. W. Schmidt

December 3, 1936 ~ July 29, 2020

From friends and family comes this news with the passing of Delta Golden Wings member retired  Western/Delta pilot Captain Hermann Rudolf Willi Schmidt, age 83.  Captain Schmidt joined Western Airlines 01-17-1966 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 2004 (a delayed retirement date).   Friends write: 

“ Captain Hermann Schmidt Flew West on July 29th, 2020 from Santa Rosa California.  He was born in 1936 in Germany, and emigrated to the US in 1960. He was hired by Western Air Lines in 1967. He retired from Delta Airlines in 2004.

   He was a true adventurer. He escaped East Germany and the Russian Air Force where he was a fighter pilot, flying the MIG-15.  He then got his Marine Engineer Degree at Duetz Diesel in Cologne Germany.

  He traveled the world on large cargo ships as a Marine Engineer, and also worked with commercial fishing vessels in Alaska for many years.

  He will be missed so much by his wife of 34 years, Eileen,  his niece Kathryn Thurman and great niece and nephew. He will also be missed by his nieces and nephew, and great nephews in Dusseldorf, Germany.”

Should more information be received we will post those updates to our memorial site.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN   

NWA/DL Capt. Theodore ‘Dean’ SMITH

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA/DL Capt. Theodore ‘Dean’ SMITH

April 27, 1954 – July 25, 2020

Word has reached our website….. this news with the passing of retired Northwest/Delta pilot Captain Theodore ‘Dean’ SMITH, age 66.  Captain Smith joined Northwest Airlines 12-30-1985 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Elizbeth, his children and his grandchildren, plus many more dear family members and friends.

To view the obituary online and share memories please visit 

https://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/twincities/theodore-smith-dean-condolences/196579686?cid=full

or at https://m.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000363921/?fullname=theodore-dean-smith

viewing is available also at https://minnesota.funeral.com/2020/08/02/smith-theodore-dean/

For those wishing to send a personal note of condolence, whitepages lists the family residence as

3458 Cromwell Trl.,  Rosemount, MN 55068

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

Obituary………………… Theodore "Dean" SMITH  (1954 – 2020), age 66, passed away late on the evening of July 25th, 2020. After a courageous seven year fight against melanoma (and some clear scans to prove it), he left us suddenly in the comfort of his home in Rosemount, Minnesota.

Dean was born on April 27th, 1954 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was an honorable man who lived his life selflessly, purposefully and he loved deeply. He embodied a quiet intellect and was a superb listener. Dean was passionate about his family, flying, traveling the world and The University of Michigan. However, his greatest passion was his beloved, Elizabeth. Their bond was — and will remain — unbreakable. They married on May 14th, 1988 and were each other's confidant, dearest friend and True North.

Dean's greatest joy was his family. He reveled in teaching his children and grandchildren about the big and little things in life, storytelling, rooting from the sidelines and playing on the North Shore. Dean was happiest sitting beside his Elizabeth in their "sweet spot" or as they drove along the North Shore searching for moose and bald eagles. Their cottage on Lake Superior was his refuge.

His love, actions and indelible spirit will leave a lasting effect on all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Though too short by far, he lived his life as big as his heartfelt hugs, and as genuinely and grand as his laugh. He had an exemplary record as a Naval Officer, piloting the A-6 Intruder. After leaving the military, he spent the remainder of his career flying for Northwest/Delta Airlines. He took pride in being a pilot, a flight instructor, representing his fellow pilots (ALPA), and most of all, keeping the airline industry safe for pilots and passengers alike. He retired on the 747.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Lavisa Smith. He will be missed every day by his wife Elizabeth (nee Roman); children Brady (Jennifer) Burnett-Zieman and Alexandra (Ryan) Nulty; grand children Graham (8) and Michael Nulty (5), and Poppy Burnett-Zieman (3); his brother, Bob (Joyce) Smith and sister, Sandy (Calvin) McCallum; mother-in-law Donna Roman, and his extended family and countless friends.

We treasured your strength, your kindness, your integrity and your boundless love. Although our hearts are broken, we are all so blessed to have had you and to have loved you. Go Blue! A celebration of Dean's life will be held at a later date. Memorials preferred in Dean's name to Minnesota Public Radio or the Melanoma Research Foundation. We are so thankful to Dr. Thomas Amatruda and so many others, for the precious additional time that he was ours.