NWA Capt. Ronald R. Gilbertson

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Ronald R. Gilbertson

January 27, 1933 ~ December 6, 2020

Northwest hire date : 10-30-1958

Please see obituary below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

From the RNPA website:  
Ronald R. Gilbertson

1933 ~ 2020

 

  Captain Ronald ‘Buzz’ Gilbertson, age 87, died in Mesquite, Nevada on December 06, 2020 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s and Dementia. Buzz was born January 27, 1933 in Brawley, California to George and Maxine Gilbertson. There was an older sibling, a sister. Buzz’s father was a WWII US Navy veteran which a factor in Buzz’s decision to also serve in the Navy. After WWII George Gilbertson struggled with TB and eventually moved the family to Minnesota. After recovering from TB George Gilbertson worked as a Minnesota State employee.

   Buzz attended high school in Benson, Minnesota., which is west of the Twin Cities between Wilmar and the South Dakota border. He was considered a rather good student with a penchant for knowledge retention. He was an athlete, witness his skilled participation in basketball and swimming. Other activities included playing the clarinet in the school band. After high school Buzz enrolled at Gustavus College, a Lutheran liberal arts college in St. Peter, MN where he completed BA degree in Business and became a key contender on the college swim team. It was not coincidental that the year Buzz graduated from college, Gustavus College swim team won the Minnesota state swimming title.

  Buzz had an uncle in Benson, MN who owned a single engine airplane. He introduced Buzz to flying and the aviation bug bit hard. In 1954 the military draft was still a reality for healthy young males. Now completing college, Buzz was prime for being drafted into the Army. Consistent with his father’s WWII legacy, Buzz entered the USN Officer Training School. Upon earning his commission, now Ensign Gilbertson began his preflight training at NAS Pensacola. His advanced flight training was at NAS Olathe at Gardner, Kansas. Buzz was named the outstanding graduate for his pilot training class. During his active-duty service, Buzz flew the legendary Douglas AD (A-1E) reciprocating engine single engine fighter. One of his claims to fame is to have never had a bolter or missed approach on a carrier landing. He was born to fly.

   After active-duty service, Buzz transitioned to the USNR and returned to college. Preferring flying over business, Buzz applied for pilot employment with Northwest Airlines being aware that Northwest was a home state airline. He was hired by NWA on October 30, 1958, the beginning of a long and fruitful career. The aircraft Buzz flew at NWA include the DC-4, DC-6, Lockheed Electra, Boeing 727/320 and his favorite, the DC-10. In 1959, not long after Buzz was hired by NWA, a lovely young woman Janet Wedin started her own employment as a NWA flight attendant.

   On their first date Buzz took Janet to see the cowboy movie Shane; it became their favorite. After a promising courtship Buzz Gilbertson and Janet Wedin married in a small Christian chapel. The date of their marriage was October 30, 1963. October 30^th is becoming a date that plays big in their lives.

   Buzz enjoyed airline flying and was immensely loyal to the pilot group. During non-pilot strikes he was often the last man working when the strike layoffs hit. He enjoyed every NWA airplane he flew.

During his active pilot years Buzz also enjoyed many outdoors activities, especially golf, hunting, and fly fishing. The couple purchased a cabin south of Big Timber, MT which they thoroughly enjoyed for 25 years. The cabin w

alls were decked with mounted trophy game heads of Elk, Deer, antelope and the floors were covered with coyote and bear rugs, testimony to Buzz’s hunting skills. Janet recalls many delightful picnics next to trout streams.

   The Big Timber cabin led to their permanent retirement home in Bozeman, Montana. The couple were married for 57 years thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. They were gifted with three daughters, fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

     Buzz put away his flight bag January 1993. Immediately after retirement Buzz and Janet traveled extensively, especially enjoying cruise ships. Janet recalls some favorites, cruising the St. Lawrence River and eastern ports of North America, Europe, especially a round robin cruise around the UK, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii (many times) and the Panama Canal which so fascinated Buzz.

   About ten years ago a decision was made to begin ‘wintering’ for health reasons in Sun City at Mesquite, Nevada. They delighted in that community. With the onset of the Covid-19 virus and restricted public gatherings, Janet would prepare picnic lunches to be enjoyed at beautiful remote locations in their car. These little forays seemed to please Buzz.

   Both Parkinson’s and dementia took their toll on Buzz’s health. He passed away on December 6, 2020. A memorial service is planned for May 2021.

   One of our fine brothers has joined the ranks of many other distinguished aviators. We will miss you Buzz Gilbertson.

(-Bill Day)

  

 

NWA Capt. Kenneth Don Linville

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Kenneth Don Linville

January 4, 1938 ~ November 7, 2020

 

Northwest hire date:  12-02-1968

Please see obituary below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

 

From the RNPA website :  Kenneth D. Linville

1938 ~ 2020

 

 Captain Kenneth A. Linville, age 82, died November 7, 2020 from a brain bleed in Hialeah Gardens, Florida.  

    Ken was born on January 04, 1938 to Kenneth A and Marilyn Linville. Ken’s father was first employed by Northwest Airlines as a link trainer instructor and eventually retired as a very senior captain on the Boeing 747 Classic at Seattle. It is not surprising that Ken Sr. inspired Ken Jr. to pursue a flying career.

   Ken attended Highline High School in Burien, WA, graduating with the class of 1956. With humor Ken reports easily sliding through high school with a high-grade point average. He did not recall taking a book home while in high school. Predictably, poor study habits were his nemesis the first year at the University of Washington. “I almost flunked out of school my first year, just barely getting my grades up to the minimum required ‘C’ average to be initiated into my Sigma Chi fraternity.” He was grateful to his fraternity brothers “for taking in a skinny, naïve, grease ball high school kid with an Elvis Presley haircut and a bad attitude, shaping him into some semblance of a college man.”

   In 1958 Ken met a lovely student from Oregon State - Marilyn Booth. During a spring break Marilyn brought Ken home to meet her parents. “She had a wonderful family, but paid a heavy price when she lost both her parents to heart attacks by the time she was twenty.” The two quickly bonded and on August 5, 1960, Ken - age twenty-two and Marilyn - age twenty were married. For the rest of their lives, they would not know what to do without each other.

August 5, 1960 was a big day for Ken and Marilyn. Having completed USAF ROTC at the U. of Washington, Ken was commissioned in the Air Force the same day he and Marilyn were married.

   The ‘Newly Weds’ were soon off to Laredo AFB, TX and for (UPT) Undergraduate Pilot Training. In Ken’s words, “This was another one of the very memorable times. After we learned how to pull 5 or 6 G’s without throwing up in our oxygen masks, it became an affair to remember. The camaraderie, the intense competition, the excitement and fulfillment of really getting to live this dream is unforgettable.....Thirty-four of us received our wings on 11 May 1962. Sixty-six of us started the program.” After graduation Ken attended three weeks of survival training prior to his permanent (PCS) assignment to Hickam AFB in Hawaii.

   Both Marilyn and Ken loved the Air force “until Vietnam became such a mess.” Their son Ken was born in Laredo, TX in May of 1962 and son Jim was born at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu in May 1966. During his seven years of USAF active-duty Ken flew the C-124 and the C-141. He enjoyed those Air Force years, except for the amount of time spent in other parts of the world away from family.

   The flow from USAF Military Airlift Command flying to Northwest Airlines was almost a natural migration. Hired by NWA on December 02, 1968, Ken arrived for training in Minnesota just in time for ‘real winter.’ He and Marilyn eventually set up residence on Prior Lake, SW of Minneapolis. In 1991 Ken bid a pilot slot at Seattle and began reverse commuting back to MSP. Later he and Marilyn purchased a home at Glen Acres in South Seattle, WA. Shortly thereafter Ken was assigned to the NWA Honolulu base flying captain on the Boeing 747 Classic. Ken and Marilyn shuttled between their South Seattle home and their beautiful quarters at Diamond Head Vista, spending seven to eight months a year in Honolulu. Flying out of Honolulu really agreed with Ken. During his twenty-nine-year NWA career Ken flew the 707 series, the 727, DC-10, and the 747 Classic. He flew his last NWA trip as 1997 ended. 

Ken enjoyed spending time with his sons, Ken, and Jim. He especially liked playing golf with them. It was reported that Ken was a particularly good golfer. It is not widely known that he was also an accomplished guitarist. After retirement Marilyn developed health issues and in response to her need for a warmer, dryer climate, they moved to

Hialeah Gardens, Florida, which is well west of Miami. Those of us who were privileged to work with Ken can testify to his fertile mind. Residing in south Florida, Ken perceived a need and aggressively sought to learn Spanish late in life.

   Before his passing Ken often helped with RNPA obituaries. He was skilled at memorializing his fallen peers.

   Our friend is survived by his wife Marilyn; younger brother George; sons Ken and Jim; and grandchildren Kenneth Joshua, Kellie, and Katie.

( - Jim Linville and Bill Day)

 

PAA/DL Capt. Thomas E. Van Note III

 ....plz note correction....online obit says age 83 but should say 84 yrs of age.

Thank you/Carol for the PCN

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, PAA/DL Capt. Thomas E. Van Note III

July 28, 1934 ~ December 29, 2018

 

…..belated notice…..but we have just been given word that retired Pan Am/Delta pilot Captain Tom Van Note passed in 2018.  Captain Van Note joined Pan American Airways 08-31-1964 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Roberta  along with his children and grandchildren.

Obituary information is still available online at

  https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-e-vannote&pid=191332288

Captain Van Note had most recently resided in New Jersey at

 42 Lakewood Ave., Ho Ho Kus, NJ 07423

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  :  Thomas E. Van Note III

Thomas E. Van Note, a 54 year resident of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, died peacefully in his sleep on December 29th, 2018. He was 83 years old.

 

Tom was born in Long Branch, NJ on July 28th, 1934. He attended West Freehold Grammar School, followed by four years at Freehold High School, where he participated in all sports, starring in track and football. "Many years ago my father took me to see the farmhouse where his job as a young boy was to vaccinate chickens", recalls son Tom IV. "He showed me the dirt road that led from the main house to the mailbox. After sprinting every day to retrieve the mail, he remarked that the distance from the house to the mailbox was 1/4 mile. My father later went on to become the Group II NJ State Champion in the 400 yd. dash, later competing in the Penn Relays."

 

Moving on to Colgate University, from 1953-57, Tom entered ROTC and advanced to become an ROTC Distinguished Graduate, class of '57. Married his senior year at Colgate to Roberta Boulgarides on August 25th, 1956, Tom and Roberta traveled to his initial year of Air Force flight training in Bainbridge, GA. Upon completion of flight training on October 6th, 1958, Tom and Roberta moved to Castle AFB, CA as he transitioned to the KC-135. Honorably discharged from active duty in August of 1964, Tom continued to fly in the Air National Guard at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY.

 

Hired by Pan American World Airways, Tom went on to experience the pinnacle of his aviation career while working for the world's premier airline. Serving initially as a flight navigator on the B-707, Tom progressed to flying the B-747 and flew the "Clipper 1" around the world flight, where first class passengers could disembark at any enroute city during their journey and later later reboard to continue passage to their final destination. Tom later upgraded to captain on the B-707 and eventually retired in the captain's seat of the Airbus A-300/310 at the age of 58.

 

After retiring, Tom engaged in numerous charitable endeavors, including driving for Meals on Wheels, and volunteering to restore aviation exhibits at the Aviation Hall of Fame at Teterboro Airport in NJ. Tom and Roberta had previously established the Thomas E. and Roberta Van Note Endowed Scholarship Fund for Colgate University.

 

Tom is survived by his wife Roberta of 62 years, son Tom IV of Manchester-by- the-Sea, Ma., daughter Michele of Des Plaines, Ill., and son Chris of Denver, Co. Grandchildren Tommy and Steven of Chicago, Ill., Jonathan, Katy, and Daniel of Denver, Co., and great granddaughter Abigail. Also survived by his brother Paul of Milwaukee, Wi., and sisters Linda and Susan of Freehold, NJ.

NWA Capt. David B. Kollitz

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. David B. Kollitz

September 14, 1937 ~ December 31, 2020

 

Word has reached our group with the passing of RNPA member retired Northwest pilot Capt. David Bruce Kollitz, age 83.  Captain Kollitz joined Northwest Airlines 06-21-1965.  Widowed in 1997 with the passing of his wife Rozanne, Captain Kollitz is survived by his children and grandchildren plus many more dear family members. 

Obituary information with picture for Captain Kollitz is available online at  

 https://www.rivertowns.net/obituaries/obits/6837008-David-B.-Kollitz

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary/news article : David B. Kollitz

David Bruce Kollitz, 83, of Hudson, Wisconsin, died on December 31, 2020 of complications from diabetes and lymphoma. The eldest child of Karl Wilhelm Kollitz and Clarisse Jeanette (Travillion) Kollitz, David was proud to have grown up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, where he ran track and played hockey and the trumpet (among other activities), graduating from high school in 1955. From there he moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and delivered prescriptions for a local pharmacy. David paused his studies and joined the U.S. Navy in early 1959, shortly after meeting the love of his life, Rozanne Peterson, in 1958. In the Navy, David became a licensed pilot, training primarily on the P5M Marlin in Corpus Christi, TX and Pensacola, FL before settling in Coronado, CA. David and Rozanne were married in El Centro, California in 1960 and welcomed their first child, daughter Kristen Jane, in 1961, while living on the Navy base in Coronado. The family returned to Minnesota in 1963 and David graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in business.

 

After a brief time at Prudential Insurance Company, David began flying professionally for Northwest Orient Airlines in 1965 and flew out of their headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. Son Jon David and daughter Karyn Anne were born in 1966 and 1968, respectively. David was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 1972, and after becoming insulin-dependent shortly thereafter, was grounded from flying as Captain of his beloved 727. He returned to the University of Minnesota, earning his MBA in 1974. He then began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with Anderson and Sieberlich (McGladrey Hendrickson and Company) in Stillwater, MN and the family moved to Hudson, WI in 1977. David eventually started his own practice in Lake Elmo, MN in 1985 and Rozanne often could be found helping at the office, especially during tax season. Daughter Karyn (Wilgren) joined as a partner and the firm became Kollitz and Wilgren, Ltd. in 2002. David retired in 2009 at the age of 72 and Karyn is still involved in this business today.

 

Family life, first raising their own children, then as grandparents in the early 1990’s, was a great source of joy for David and Rozanne. Tragically, that was challenged by the sudden illness and death of Rozanne in 1997. As Dave’s group of grandchildren grew larger, his love and appreciation for each of them deepened and sustained him in his later years. He was always very involved in each of their lives, and was kept very busy attending all of their musical and athletic events. The Kollitz grandchildren (and children) have learned numerous life-lessons from their tough, humble grandfather, and for that they are very grateful.

 

In addition to his wife Rozanne, David Kollitz is predeceased by sister Jane A. Kollitz, parents Clarisse J. and Karl W. Kollitz, and survived by sister Kay E. Grinnell (Paul), brother Charles W. (Mary Jo) Kollitz, daughters Kristen Gillingham (Todd) and Karyn Wilgren (Randy Dopkins), son Jon Adams-Kollitz (Sarah) and grandchildren Benjamin, David & Jacob Gillingham, Jon & Anna Wilgren and Grace Adams-Kollitz.

 

The Kollitz family wishes to thank Dr. Bruce A. Peterson, who for many years, David entrusted to “captain the ship.” A private burial will be held in the spring. David was always quietly very generous to those in need, especially children; memorials in memory of David B. Kollitz may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

………………………………….

 

spouse:          Rozanne Peterson Kollitz

Birth Date:    26 Sep 1940

Death Date:   22 Apr 1997

Elaine Marion Mielke, widow of NWA pilot Robert R. Mielke

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Elaine Marion Mielke, widow of NWA pilot Robert R. Mielke

April 12, 1929 - December 31, 2020

 

Please see both obituaries and available information below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

https://www.washburn-mcreavy.com/obituaries/Elaine-Mielke/

      Obituary for Elaine Marion Mielke :  

Mielke, Elaine M. Age 91 of Bloomington passed away peacefully on December

31, 2020. Preceded in death by loving husband Bob. Survived by children Bob

(Christa), Ron (Linda) and Debra Mielke; grandchildren Jason (Kim), Ryan

(Carrie), Niklas (Steffie) and Natalie (Ludwig); great grandchildren Jake,

Ally, Ethan, Pali, Beckett, Nike, Sem and Filipp; sister Gloria Berg; cousin

Karen Quick; and countless friends and family who she touched the hearts of.

Long- time member and volunteer among her many cherished friends at

Redemption Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Volunteer at the NWA History

Center and devotedly served escorting orphan children from overseas awaiting

adoption. She delighted in the joys of her children, grandchildren and great

grandchildren as well as sharing her revered chocolate chip cookies and

banana bread, tending her gardens and the many memories of worldwide travels

shared with Bob. Her abiding faith shone bright through her gentle spirit

which will live in our heart's memory. Memorials preferred to the church.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private family service will be held.

Cards may be sent to the Mielke family c/o Washburn-McReavy, 2300 W. Old

Shako pee Rd., Bloomington, MN 55431 Washburn-McReavy.com Werness Brothers

952-884-8145

…………………………………….

Military veteran, NWA pilot Robert Ronald Mielke

BIRTH   :  10 Dec 1925

NWA hire date :  10-03-1950

DEATH  :  22 Nov 2007

BURIAL  :  Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

Robert R Mielke, age 81, of Bloomington, passed away Nov. 22, 2007. Preceded in death by parents, Robert and Hattie; 3 sisters and 1 brother. Survived by loving wife of 60 years, Elaine; children, Robert (Christa), Ronald (Linda) and Debra Mielke; grandchildren, Jason (Kim), Ryan (Carrie), Niklas and Natalie; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Allyson and Ethan; sister, Eleanor Seaburg; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Faithful 40 year employee of Northwest Airlines and devoted volunteer at the NWA History Center. Veteran of the US Navy and a 60 year member of the American Legion. Member of the Bloomington Born Again Jocks……………..

 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69196189/robert-r-mielke