DL Capt. Charles R. Sidenstricker

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, DL Capt. Charles R. Sidenstricker

March 2, 1940 - December 30, 2020

 

Word has reached our group with news of the passing of retired Delta pilot Captain Charles Robert Sidenstricker, age 80.  Captain Sidenstricker joined Delta Air Lines 01-03-1966.  He is survived by many close friends, dear family members and  a large circle of aviation colleagues. 

To view the obituary online and share memories please visit the funeral home website at

 https://www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Charles-R-Sidenstricker?obId=19498723 

As noted in the obituary below, services will be livestreamed on Saturday, January 9th at 2:00 PM….just click on the livestreaming tab on the menu in the upper right hand corner of the McDougald Funeral Home website.

https://www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com/

For those who may wish to send a personal note to the family, whitepages lists a current mailing address as

114 Regatta Drive , Anderson, SC 29625.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

 

Obituary : Charles R. Sidenstricker

Charles Robert “Charlie” Sidenstricker passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, after years of a battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Charlie was the oldest son of seven children born on March 2, 1940, to Lee and Nellie Kinnard Sidenstricker of Point Pleasant, WV.  He was a loving and kindhearted soul. He was also a very generous man to his family, friends, and anyone in need.

 

Charlie proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was a retired Captain with Delta Airlines where he spent his entire career of 36 years living his dream. His passion was evident as a Line Check Airman for Delta, where he trained pilots to exceed the standard of excellence.  After his retirement, he continued his love of flying by honoring veterans. He participated in The Salute to the Shore to honor our fallen military on the Fourth of July and the Angel Flight program to transport medical patients to destinations for treatment. He also supported the efforts of The Mount Pleasant Pilots’ Association’s through the Able Flight program, a pilot training program for disabled veterans and civilians, as well as community efforts to engage youth in the interest in flying. His contribution to the aviation community was remarkable. 

 

He is survived by his companion of 23 years, Cindy Ecleberry and their beloved Yorkie, Abby; daughter, Kristen Youngblood (Barry); sons, Ted Sidenstricker (Jenna), and Eddie Sidenstricker (Sarah); beloved grandchildren, Emily Ehrmann (Kyle), Alex Youngblood (Ariel), Cole Sidenstricker, and Ivey Sidenstricker; sisters, Carol, and Wanda Stalnaker; brothers, Jack Sidenstricker (Carol), and Larry Sidenstricker (Linda); and many nieces and nephews.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jim, and John Sidenstricker. Charlie was loved by a host of many friends and family.

 

A private family service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. The service will be available to view via livestream via the livestreaming tab on the McDougald Funeral Home website.  PHONE: (864) 224-4343

 

Charlie was a faithful supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorials can be made through their website at https://www.stjude.org  

 

NWA Capt. Douglas E. Harrison

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA Capt. Douglas E. Harrison

January 18, 1942 ~ December 22, 2020

 

Word has been received with news of the passing of RNPA member retired Northwest pilot Captain Douglas Edward Harrison, age 78.  Captain Harrison joined Northwest Airlines 08-05-1968.  He is survived by his wife Susan Dirks Harrison plus many dear extended family members.  Obituary information for Captain Harrison is available for viewing online at

https://www.tamatoledonews.com/obituaries/2020/12/29/douglas-e-harrison/

or please see below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN  

 

Obituary :  Douglas E. Harrison of Little Torch Key, Florida died on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at age 78, due to complications from an accidental head injury sustained in October. He and his wife Susan built a home on Little Torch, where Doug lived out his life fishing, diving, and rebuilding antique cars. He was active in Monroe County politics and gave of his time, talents, and resources to local nonprofits. Doug will be missed by many.

 

Doug was born on Jan. 18, 1942 in Baltimore, MD. He grew up in Ellicott City and graduated from Catonsville High School in 1960. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from University of Maryland and a Master’s degree in paleontology from University of Minnesota.

 

Doug joined the U.S. Navy in 1961. Within two years, he was accepted into flight school, and he received his wings on Dec. 17, 1964. He flew 114 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign, and National Defense. His last active duty mission was Attack Squadron ONE TWO FIVE. He was discharged on June 26, 1968.

 

In 1968, Doug started his 35 year career as a pilot for Northwest Airlines. He worked his way up from Second Officer to Captain, flying Boeing 707, 727, 757, 747, The Airbus and the DC 10. He flew both domestically and to Europe and Asia. In addition to pilot, Doug also served as a check airman and flight instructor. Some of his fondest memories were flying to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba and meeting Fidel Castro, and instructing pilots when Northwest Airlines sent planes to Kenya, where he met Jomo Kenyatta.

 

On St. Patrick’s Day in 1981, Doug met a flight attendant named Susan in Orlando. Doug and Susan married on Oct. 15, 1982 at Pilgrim Heights in Montour, IA. They made a life together in the Florida Keys, and after his retirement as a 747-400 Captain in 2002, the two began traveling the US in an RV with their dogs.

 

Doug served two terms as President of Jolly Roger Estates Homeowners Association and was instrumental in erecting the flag pole that stands at the entrance today. He was a member of the Southernmost Republican Club and worked on many successful campaigns. Serving as Campaign Manager for Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay was a proud moment for Doug.

 

Doug also served several terms as a board member for The Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens and was a past member of the Military Affairs Committee.

 

Doug is survived by his wife, Susan Dirks Harrison and his puppies, Flash III and Elie II; his beloved in-laws, Harlan and Darlene Dirks; Nathan and Valerie (Dirks) Behounek, Carie Behounek, Juliet Sherman, Jacob and Amy Behounek, Aaron and Sarah (Behounek) Kassen; Sandra Dirks; David and Ardella Dirks, Ryan and Shelby (Dirks) Speicher, Todd Dirks and Hayley Proenza, Kyle Dirks and Ryan Gruber, Ryan Dirks, Natasha Ribby and Jake Dirks.

 

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Lee Harrison and Rita Marie (Russo) Harrison, Brothers, Donald Harrison and Lee Harrison and Sister, Libby( Harrison) Stone.

 

Donations may be made in Doug’s name in one of three area nonprofits:

-- Monroe County Stars of Hope

c/o Major Tim Age

5501 College Road, Key West, FL 33040

 

-- Cooking With Love

c/o Reverend Steve Torrence

1215 Petronia St.., Key West, FL 33040

 

-- Florida Keys SPCA

Marathon Campus

c/o Tara McFarland

10550 Aviation Blvd.., Marathon, FL 33050

Norma Fritz Graf, widow of NEA/DL Capt. Donald B. Graf

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Norma Fritz Graf, widow of NEA/DL Capt. Donald B. Graf

May 10, 1923 ~ December 22, 2020

 

This news comes to us from the family of Norma Graf …..  son John writes us with the passing of his mother Norma Violet (Fritz) Graf, widow of Northeast/Delta pilot Captain Donald Benjamin Graf.  Norma was 97 years of age at the time of her passing.  Norma is survived by their daughters and son. 

Captain Graf joined Northeast Airlines 08-01-1945 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1984, based Atlanta at the time of his retirement.   

To date I’ve not seen an online obituary notice for Norma….arrangements are not yet known. 

Should more information be received we will be sure to pass it along.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN  

 

NEA/DL Capt. Donald B. Graf, military veteran

Date of Birth:     July  13, 1924

Date of Death:   January  27, 2001

Age at Death:     76 years

DL Capt. MICHAEL N. WOOD

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, NEA/DL Capt. MICHAEL N. WOOD

September 22, 1935 - November 24, 2020

 

Notification with the passing of retired Delta pilot Captain MICHAEL NEWBOLD WOOD, age 85.  Captain Wood first joined Northeast Airlines 11-01-1966 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based Boston.  He is survived by his wife Mary, his children and his grandchildren.

Obituary information is available for viewing online at

 http://www.campbellfuneral.com/obituaries/Michael-N-Wood?obId=19116308#/celebrationWall 

and at

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=michael-n-wood&pid=197360834&fhid=4200

For those who may wish to send a personal note, whitepages lists the family residence as

15 Linden St.,  South Hamilton, MA 01982.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  :  MICHAEL N. WOOD

WOOD, Michael N. Age 85, husband of Mary (Minturn) Wood, resident of Hamilton-Wenham, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 from a traumatic brain injury hours following a fall after bravely struggling with dementia for several years. Born in Philadelphia, PA he was the son of the late Dr. H. Curtis Wood Jr. and (Margaret L. (Brown) Wood. In addition to his wife, Mike is survived by two sons, Peter and Michael of the Hamilton-Wenham area; his daughter, Christina Donovan; four grandchildren of Upperville, VA; and his older brother Curtis Wood of Naples, FL. He was predeceased by his oldest brother Theodore Wood of Santa Rosa, CA.

Mike was an avid tennis player, traveler, environmentalist, philanthropist, clever and eloquent writer, self-taught pianist, and unwavering animal lover always with his loyal dog by his side. He graduated from Phillips Academy-Andover and then went to the University of Virginia for two years before leaving to serve as a Naval Pilot for five years where he flew throughout Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Arctic, and the Caribbean. Following his Navy duty, he finished up his studies at the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with honors, majored in journalism, played on the varsity squash team and was a member of the Delta Psi Fraternity. After fundraising for Penn, and then teaching English for a few years at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge, MA, Mike could not resist turning his lifelong passion for flying into his full-time career over the next 30 years for Delta Airlines where he ultimately earned the title of Captain.

Upon retirement, Mike was active supporting various environmental and animal welfare organizations and spent much of his time enjoying his beloved summer home on Squam Lake, NH he visited annually beginning in childhood. With a grin, smirk, or twinkle in his eye, Mike could often be found telling humorous stories to anyone who would listen about his adventurous life, inserting little hints of sarcasm with his playful, creative, witty, and often dry sense of humor. Mike enjoyed indulgences like his series of antique sports cars and various aerobatic 2-seater planes where his legacy remains as the bravest, fairly insane, but undeniably competent pilot as he continued performing loops, barrel rolls and other tricky maneuvers over the lake until he was 80 years old! Time to Fly the Friendly Skies Forever Free, Captain Wood.

A Celebration of Life will occur during the summer of 2021 on Squam Lake. Donations to his favorite charities in his memory can be made to the following: AnimalsAsia.org, PrimarilyPrimates.org or SquamsLandTrust.org.

"When you once have tasted flight, you will always walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always be." -Leonardo da Vinci-

Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, BEVERLY.

Information, directions, and condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com

 

DL Capt. Richard E. Borgula Sr.

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, DL Capt. Richard E. Borgula Sr.

March  25, 1937 ~ March  19, 2013

 

Please forgive this very belated notice but we have just learned that Delta Captain Richard Edward Borgula Sr., age 75, passed on in March of 2013.  Captain Borgula joined Delta Air Lines 07-03-1967 and was based Atlanta.  He is survived by his wife Judith Cross Borgula.  To date I’ve not been able to locate an online obituary but for those who may wish to contact the family, Judy is listed in whitepages at

1935 Hughes Drive,  Cumming, GA 30040.

If more information is received we can then pass it along.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN