~ IN MEMORY ~
RW/RC/NWA Capt. George J. Wigen
November 15, 1935 - October 18, 2021
As noted in the December issue of The Air Line
Pilot's magazine In Memoriam column, the passing of retired Pacific
Airlines/Hughes Airwest/Republic/Northwest Airlines pilot Captain George J.
Wigen, age 85. Obituary information is
available online at https://www.yatesfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/George-J-Wigen?obId=22728135 Also at https://cdapress.com/news/2021/oct/24/george-j-wigen-85/
Arrangements were provided by Yates Funeral Home
in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Online registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary :
George J Wigen left us on October 18th, 2021 after
a difficult battle with cancer. Born in Wenatchee, Washington to Birdie and
Chester Wigen, George was the only boy of four children and became the man of
the house at an early age when his parents separated and Birdie moved the
family to Seattle. George was a big personality and self-described
“troublemaker” throughout his childhood but excelled in his role as protector
of sisters Sharon, Mary and Pat. He was also very close to his mother who
became a successful business owner and treasured family matriarch.
After high school, George attended Washington
State University and served in the Navy and reserves. He was an expert skier
and all-around sportsman having worked a season in ski patrol. In 1960 he met
and married Barbara Klock and had two children, Terry and Andy. George started
his career in insurance, but he dreamed of flying airplanes for a living and
set out on that goal, first learning to fly small airplanes, working as an
instructor, and even selling small airplanes all to earn the hours and
experience necessary to get his license. It was not an easy route to become a
commercial pilot (not coming from a military pilot background) but George
persevered and his dream was realized when he was hired by Pacific Airlines in
San Francisco in 1965. The family moved to the Bay Area, eventually setting
roots in Pleasanton, California where George and Barbara were active in
politics, PTA and everything “suburbia.”
George loved being a dad. He was the first to volunteer
to coach Little League and Bobby Sox Softball. He spent countless hours
rallying with Terry on the tennis court and showing Andy how to throw the
perfect spiral and be the best baseball catcher. He instigated camping trips
and ski outings and served as the neighborhood dad, helping orchestrate
kickball teams, go-cart races and slip n slide parties.
George and Barbara divorced in 1977 but George
went on to have an illustrious aviation career working for several airlines
including Hughes Airwest, Republic, Northwest Air and Delta. While flying out
of Seattle he met Joyce Elaine Thomas. They married in 1983 and relocated to
Minnesota until George retired from the airline in 1995 and moved to Idaho.
That’s when the real fun began! George was a natural “retiree” enjoying elk and
deer hunting, Alaska sea fishing, boating, golfing, poker and serving as a
volunteer firefighter for the East Side Fire District near his home in
Harrison, Idaho.
Joyce’s’ life ended prematurely to cancer and
George eventually moved to Hayden, Idaho. He has spent the last 15 years
shuttling back and forth to Bullhead City Arizona as an official “snowbird.”
His best friend and life partner, Sandy Scott, has been his rock (and biggest
fan) for the past several years. They have had a lot of laughs traveling and
solving life’s problems together. He was so fortunate to have her in his life.
George was a generous soul and a positive role
model to many. His cherished grandkids Riley and Colton along with numerous
nieces and nephews will miss his kid-like spirit, his gift for telling a good
story, his never-ending patience, and his uncanny ability to make you feel like
you are the only person in the room.
George is survived by his wonderful sister Mary
Norman (Les), children Terry Wills (Doug) and Andy Wigen (Carla), grandkids
Riley and Colton Wigen and Sandy Scott.
