Xmas 2011

I also created a large photo montage reflecting her 75 years. Those pictures will be posted and Linked off the Family page - i.e. still "in work."

Dot again had excellent news on the health front - with her latest CAT scan a week ago -- CLEAR. Four years since her diagnosis.

She continues with her dancing and community activities, and this year finished her third major quilt project - a quilt being made for a wounded soldier returned from the war. Here she is just before send-off.

In September, she went back to visit her family in the Magdalen Islands for almost two weeks. It was just a little after her sister Martha's 90th birthday. Dot was unable to go earlier in the summer because of patient Bob (see below.) Her brother Louis-Philippe, having moved back to the Islands this year, made all her siblings present in one location. She also stopped in P.E.I. both ways visiting friends and family there as well.

Stubborn Bob's mobility continued to decline, and, after three cortisone hip shots, the time for continued delaying ran out. On July 12, I seriously entered the health care environment for the first time as a Participant and not as an Observer. Dr. Sean Toomey got out his saw and cut off the top of my right femur (the largest bone in the body) and installed a new ball and socket in a Total Hip Replacement.

After an uncomfortable week in the hospital and a one day scary return to the E.R., I settled in to recuperate and rehab.

After six weeks on a walker, and then occasionally crutches, I was cleared out of the house and off the walker. Good thing too, because at 8 AM the following morning, I had to give a talk about the Connie at the Museum of Flight followed by a walk-around tour. A few days later, we left for Portland and the start of a six speech gig in 10 days. After a short spell on the crutches, I graduated to a cane, and at the 9.5 week point, threw it all away. A true miracle - like my friends kept telling me, while urging me on - I don't even know my prosthesis or hardware are even in there. (But the T.S.A. will......) Bionic Bob is Better than new!!!

Here's what this gadget looks like - and here's mine at the 6 week check-up. Just like the picture.

Thanks to my patient and dedicated caregiver, Dot, -- and my nurses - especially Karl and Tim, who came four times a week to do blood testing and checking of my vital signs.

September saw the 50th Reunion for my High School Class in New Rochelle. Hard to believe. Conflicts between that event, Dot's trip home, my speaking engagements, and my mobility - just my too-early stage of recovering from my hip surgery - unfortunately made it just too big a trip and made me a no-show.

My Museum activities continued in high gear, although my hip kept me from a lot of on-site visits and I had to do a lot of work from home. Here's the Super Connie finally on public display.

One major event occurred in June when the Museum Board of Trustees gave me the authorization to fly the Boeing 727 Prototype airplane for one last flight from Paine Field in Everett, where it has been sitting for 21 years, down to the Museum at Boeing Field. My hoped for date is 9 Feb 2013, which would be the 50th Anniversary to-the-day since its First Flight. But a lot of things have to happen before that can become a reality. We don't even have any engines! And, -- it will have to happen without any Boeing support - they declined to become involved. As they did on the Last Flight of the 737 Prototype.

I receive a lot of requests to give public talks on some of my Museum projects, non-Museum projects (like the Search for the Honolulu Clipper), and other - mostly aviation - historical subjects. Besides numerous Museum talks, I also gave three talks in Portland on the Clipper and the Connie Project. These talks were to the Airliners International annual convention, where I was banquet dinner Keynote Speaker for the second time (last time in Phoenix 2000.) 2011 was also the 90th Anniversary of the AFPRO office at Boeing (Air Force Plant Representative), and the USAF asked me to give their Celebration Luncheon Keynote address on the many airplanes Boeing had built for the Air Force over the past 90 years. This was my second talk for the Air Force, so I guess they either like my talks, or my rates, or both.

I already have a full slate of talks on the schedule for 2012 - maybe I have a new career?

Besides the return of the Cullen's we had a number of visitors - even during my post-op rehab period.

On May 25th - our good friend David Capodilupo came to visit and spend the night. David had come from Boston - he's a big shot exec at M.I.T. and has been coming out for several years to help on our restoration of the Number One 727. Oh! Did I say that it was David's 50th Birthday - and he chose to spend that Milestone with us!

Jim and Wanda Brown came for a day. Jim worked for me at Boeing for almost 10 years and had just retired. He had this big stupid grin on his face the whole time here - I wonder why? Our house here in Hansville was built by Wanda's dad. Now, how's that for a coincidence???

Former co-worker Kari Rankins also visited - she works at Boeing headquarters in Chicago these days.

Capt David Hill and his wife Elisabeth came for about four days while I shuffled around on my walker. They stayed in their large and impressive motor home, having driven from Memphis. David was a pilot at Seaboard World Airlines at JFK where I was a Tech Rep in 1968. He retired from FedEx as a 747-400 Capt and is very active as the Seaboard historian. We met subsequently in Phoenix when I spoke to the Airliners Intl Convention in 2000. David and I are working to get a large collection of Seaboard memorabilia accepted in to the Museum of Flight Archives.

Gordy Girvan came not once, but twice - the second time after I had become mobile again, so we could travel to the Museum and look at the Connie. Gordy was involved with Flight Dispatch and Flight Planning at Nordair while I was there 1968-1972. He also worked for MCA in his early years - an airline Dot also worked for. Gordy lives in Vancouver.

My last few years of impaired mobility have really crimped our style with regard to traveling - or pretty much doing anything - hiking, boating, even eating out. I couldn't sit down or stand up. Car travel was out. After recovering from my hip operation, I appreciated my new found mobility and went pretty much hog-wild making up for lost time. Two trips down to Oregon, the Washington Coast, Eastern Washington - we were going to town. After analyzing our travel likes and desires - we considered a number of schemes to make the traveling easier and more enjoyable. Our RV experience with the Camper definitely eliminated that as a possibility. No more RV's! We considered buying another boat - a larger one. I had (painfully) sold our wonderful Boston Whaler after 23 years, just before my operation. After searching for a candidate replacement (and some pricey and hard to find moorage), and then evaluating where we would go with it, we slowly drew a line through that idea as well.

So,....what's next??? A kayak? Tandem bike? How 'bout a Harley? Hmmm, well of course -- an airplane! I drew up a list of places we like to go (or would like to go) that are near or adjacent to airports and quickly determined this was a fruitful direction. I did my usual careful evaluation and narrowed my list of candidate airplanes from 125 to 10 to 5 to 2, while simultaneously searching for a place to keep it. Some had folding wings and were trailerable. I could keep those at home. I submitted my name to a number of airports, which all had hangar waiting lists. I finally got the call, and rented a hangar at the Bremerton Airport - I was using the technique used in the baseball movie Field of Dreams - "If I rent it, it will come."

I then re-entered the active flying world after a long hiatus (licensed for 47 years, but seriously inactive for about 15) -- and after some dual instruction, have convinced myself I can once again become a safe pilot. A number of trial flights in my finalist airplanes, and a lot of searching and evaluating have produced a Finalist. Just before the end of the year, I signed a Contract for a kit-built Vans RV-12 which I will finish out by installing the Systems and Avionics. The airplane kit is built in Oregon, and mine is being assembled in Oklahoma. I will have it trucked to Seattle - probably in February, where I will finish it out installing all the Avionics (electrical/electronic systems.)

The airplane, which looks like this, should hopefully be in the air by late Spring.

2011 Passings

Way too many of our friends and relatives are leaving us. They will always live on......... in our memories.

Howard Sanford Sept 9/2010 - I came on Howard's name while searching the obits for Lily, the next person on this memorial list. This has happened to me (too) many times. Howard was our next door neighbor while I was growing up in New Rochelle. He had been a radio operator on a B-25 during WW II, and was my knothole into lots of flying stories. When I got my ham radio license at 14, he gave me his telegraph key - a type of key known as a "bug." Howard was in the advertising business and got me a subscription to Aviation Week - available only to people in the industry. That was in 1955, and I was only 11. (I've had a subscription ever since.) Howard also took us out to the airport for my first airplane ride. I hadn't seen him since I left home in 1961.

Lily Meizner Nov 12, 2010 - Lily was one of my first girl-friends - probably my only girl friend while in high school. I still remember riding over to her house on my bike - she played Oboe in the school band, and I've always been aware of Oboe's ever since - and thought of her when I watch orchestral shows. We had reconnected at one of the high school reunions and used to exchange emails around Christmas time, when I send out these newsletters. But, she hadn't responded to my letter last year. When the Names List came out for the 50th Reunion, I was shocked to find her name on the List as "Deceased." I tried contacting her business or daughter, with no success. R.I.P. Lily

Aunt Bernice

Aunt Bernice Bogash - 3/17/2011 - sudden - massive heart attack - My Aunt Bernice, who was almost 84, was the happiest person I ever knew. No kidding. I called her regularly and it was a joy. No negatives, no politics, just 20-30 minutes of belly-busting jokes. And love. I saved my best jokes for her, and she'd try to write them all down. She was always positive, uplifting, and funny. I really miss her - a lot. A lot.

Fred Coyle 3/29/2011 - short bout with cancer Fred started with Maritime Central Airways (MCA) and wound up as a big shot Vice-President for Air Canada. We first connected in 1991 in Charlottetown, PEI, when he was an organizer and show M.C. for the MCA 50th Anniversary Reunion. Then, next, when I was trying to bring TCA Super Connie CF-TGE down from Toronto for the Museum of Flight. The Air Canada Retirees (Pionairs) were against us, but Fred was solidly on our side, and fought hard to change their minds. He eventually succeeded - in spades. We corresponded almost daily via email, and he came down to visit us for a few days. It was a rude shock to get his email saying that he only had a short time remaining. I really miss him and our frequent correspondence.

Fred, during his visit to Hansville

Hal Piper 3/20/2011 - Hal was a Boeing aircraft accident investigator and long time professional friend. Last of the old guard.

Bob Ecker 4/10/2011 - Director in the office next door during my many years as Director in Materiel. In Montana.

Mort Slotnick 3/12/2011 - Mr. Slotnick was my art teacher in 7th grade. He gave me my nickname "Humph" (after Humphrey Bogart) that followed me for years and years. Even when I was long gone, and far away. A WW II hero who landed on the beaches of Okinawa. He lived near my folks and we re-connected in later years. A very accomplished artist with pictures in many notable places and on many Christmas cards. I'll always remember visiting with him at his in-home studio.

    Guy, Bob, and Dick Taylor

Guy Townsend Apr 2011 -    Guy was a legendary test pilot and historic figure in aviation history. He was the Air Force's Test Pilot (and proponent) for the Boeing B-47 and B-52 airplanes. After retirement, as a General, he came to work for Boeing. That's when I first met him and began working daily with him. Generals and Admirals always have a hard time after retirement, and Guy was no different. But, he muddled on with his new "lower rank" and put up with guys like me. He and I worked for about two years on Boeing's bid to replace the Air Force's 707 Presidential airplanes with a new airplane - the 747 - that is used today. We spent many hours alone in his (small) office "hangar flying." His nasal twang, deep Southern accent, and down-home stories are a treasure for me, and for all of aviation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_M._Townsend

Don Palmer 27 May 2011 -   Don was a retired Air Canada Capt. I "met" him through Fred Coyle, above. Don grew up in Shediac, New Brunswick - site of Pan Am's N. Atlantic Boeing Clipper flying boat stops on the route to England. He watched the Clippers as a boy and decided that he wanted to be a flier. He sent me many historic pictures of those Shediac days. Later, in the late 40s, he watched Pan Am Stratocruisers transiting Moncton, N.B.   I never met Don, or talked to him, or even have a picture of him. We became very good friends and exchanged innumerable emails. Sometimes many times a day. When Fred fell ill, Don and I were deeply affected. Don had a connection into Fred's family and so kept me apprised of Fred's status. When Fred died, I took it hard. Don took it harder. And then, just a short time later, I got an email from Don's wife. Don had suffered a stroke on a flight passing through the U.K. enroute back to Canada, and had passed away himself. A double shock - still hard to accept...... Man! This getting old is getting harder and harder.

Chuck Carolan

Chuck Carolan May 30, 2011 Chuck was a supervisor in my Boeing Quality group, and before that, a rep at our suppliers in the U.K. After I retired, Chuck - who was already retired, and lived about 50 miles south - actually drove up to the Farm to visit and wish me well in person. He was the only person to go to that extent and I was touched by his thoughtfulness. Most of the people I worked with for decades never picked up the phone or sent a note. I'm a realist and not offended. In his later years, he suffered from Alzheimer's, and I returned his visit going down to his home while he was fighting that terrible illness.

    Stella, Dot, Bob and Chiba in Sherbrooke October 2003

Stella LeBourdais July 14 2011   Stella was Dot's cousin and a great friend of both of us. Her father Joseph was an incredibly historic figure in the history of the Magdalen Islands. A University graduate, he was a high-techie of that day - a telegraph operator. As such, he passed all the info in and out of the Islands, and kept a diary - now in university - that documents 50+ years of Magdalen history - travels, births, passings, storms, on and on. We visited Stella and her husband Bob in Sherbrooke Quebec in 2003.
And talked to her regularly. She was a joy and is irreplaceable.

Judith Baker 18 Sept 2011   Judith was the daughter of Walt Baker, our former next-door neighbor, here in Hansville. After Walt died and Frances moved to Olympia, we became good friends with Judith, who owned the house. She lived in Houston, Texas, and we became sort of care-takers of the house, while it was empty, -- and later when it was rented. She was very involved in small Theater in Houston. When her friends hadn't heard from her for several days, they had the police make entry, where they found she had been dead for some days, with her agitated little dog Lolly as her distraught companion. It was a great shock all around.

Denny, Karen's (our hairdresser's) husband Oct 15 2011 - Karen "just" cuts our hair, but is more like Family. Denny had been in poor health for a long time. Tough to watch his demise - Karen has had a tough life, with many bad curveballs sent her way. We hope she can find the strength going forward.

Georgette and Bill MacNeill

Bill MacNeill died 19 Oct 2011 in Ottawa. Georgette and Bill were good friends, she from the Magdalen Islands, he from Nova Scotia. They visited us in Snohomish and we at their place in Ottawa in 2003.

Detailed Obits

Frederick Thomas Coyle

Frederick Thomas Coyle, aged 80, died peacefully at home in Victoria, B.C., on March 29, 2011.

Fred was born on June 8, 1930 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., to Fred A. and Dorothy (Hogan) Coyle. Fred grew up in Charlottetown with his sisters, Frances, Barbara and Elizabeth and his brother, Leo. He was predeceased by his parents; siblings, (Leo and Frances); and his first wife, Joanne Marilyn (Bovard).

Fred is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Monique (Poirier). Fred is also survived by his three children from his first marriage, Michael Coyle (Susan), Susan Plummer (Gordon), and Cynthia Coyle. Fred's grandchildren are Carolyn Plummer (Lise), Lauren (Plummer) Wiley (Tim), Megan Plummer, and Conor Coyle.

Fred attended Queen Square School in Charlottetown and went on to graduate from St. Dunstan's University with his BA in 1952. He began his career at Maritime Central Airways in Goose Bay. Fred went on to complete his BCOMM at St. Mary's University in Halifax while raising a young family and working full time at Trans Canada Airlines (Air Canada). He transferred to Montreal in 1962 and after 37 years retired in 1991 as the Senior Director of Purchasing for Air Canada. Fred maintained a keen interest in aviation and was instrumental in the compilation of the history of Maritime Central Airways and the recognition of others in the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame.

Fred's retirement was spent in the city of Victoria where he and Monique enjoyed golfing at The Royal Colwood with their many friends. Fred also enjoyed his twice-weekly tennis matches with a regular group he helped organize. They played together for more than 20 years. He was happy to report that he won his very last mixed doubles set in February (6 - love) playing "way over his head". He likened his play that day to a light bulb burning ever so brightly just before it goes out.

While living in Victoria, Fred supported the community with his volunteer contribution to the Commonwealth Games as the venue co-ordinator for cycling events. He was also the Race Director for the first International Triathlon in 2001.

For 12 years Fred led an annual Christmas charitable fundraiser for the James Bay Community School. This work was very close to his heart.

Until six weeks before his untimely illness, Fred was playing tennis, looking forward to his trip to P.E.I. in July, visits with his children, grandchildren and to the birth of his first great-grandchild.
He will be greatly missed by all.

Thank you to Victoria Hospice - QRT for their compassion and care during Fred's illness.
A celebration of his life will be held at Fred's great-grandfather's home (M.P. Hogan) in Charlottetown, midsummer. The family requests donations to Victoria Hospice in lieu of flowers.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com. McCall's of Victoria, B.C., (1-800-870-4210).

Chuck CAROLAN
Charles (Chuck) Bruce CAROLAN Charles (Chuck) Bruce Carolan was born in Denver, Co. on March 2, 1930 and died peacefully on May 30, 2011 in Auburn, Wa. He faced Alzheimer's with courage and humor. Chuck spent his childhood in Forsyth, Mt. and his teen years in the Seattle area. He served in the US Army and attended Montana College in Billings. After teaching at a one-room school, he worked at Boeing and McDonnell Douglas as a Quality Control Representative, spending 4 years stationed in London and traveling to many European countries. Chuck never met a car he didn't like, and his passionate hobbies included restoring antique and classic cars, antique clocks, and remodeling houses. Like many good Irishmen, Chuck's storytelling, sense of humor, and one-liners kept family and friends entertained. The family wants to especially thank Henry and Helen for the loving care they gave Chuck the past three years in their home. Preceded in death by his son, Michael, Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Rosellen; his sister Joedelle Fraser; daughters Jolene (Denis) Hebert, Michelle (Dave) Reid, and Suzie (Jamie) Burton; and daughter-in-law Jennifer Carolan. Chuck was grandfather to seven: Richard, Gillian, Carrie, DJ, Dana, Charlie, and Rachel; and great-grandfather to Sammie, Taylor, and Olivia. A memorial service will be held on June 15th at 3:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn. Remembrances may be made to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation or to the Respite Care Program at Auburn Senior Center.

William "Bill" MacNeill

MacNeill, William "Bill" - Passed away peacefully on October 19, 2011, at the age of 78. He was predeceased by his parents Daniel MacNeill and Marion Peterson.Taken far too early, he will be sadly missed by his wife, Georgette (Arseneau), his children; Ann Brady (Dirk) and Ken (Stephanie), his grandchildren, Emilie, Laura, Sophie, Julia and Sidney. Bill is survived by 1 sister, 3 brothers, 1 brother-in-law, 4 sisters-in-law, as well by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by one sister and 3 brothers. The family will receive relatives and friends at Heritage Funeral Home, 2871 St. Joseph Blvd., Orleans, on Saturday, October 22, 2011, from 1 p.m. until service time in the funeral home chapel at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Condolences and donations may be made at : www.heritagefh.ca

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About Labor Day, I start thinking about it: The Newsletter. Sometimes I even do something about it. Those years get an early creation and send out. Other years, I successfully put it off - sometimes into January. This is one of those late years.........

A hard-to-believe Milestone to be sure - celebrated with two pretty good size parties in May - one on the Mainland in Edmonds, and one on this side of the water, here in Hansville. Anne and Percy Cullen even came from Alberta, Shirley from Vancouver, and Thelma from Moses Lake!

A photo collection of the two Parties can be found by clicking here.

Peace..........

Bob and Dot

About Labor Day, I start thinking about it: The Newsletter. Sometimes I even do something about it. Those years get an early creation and send out. Other years, I successfully put it off - sometimes into January. This is one of those late years.........

A hard-to-believe Milestone to be sure - celebrated with two pretty good size parties in May - one on the Mainland in Edmonds, and one on this side of the water, here in Hansville. Anne and Percy Cullen even came from Alberta, Shirley from Vancouver, and Thelma from Moses Lake!

A photo collection of the two Parties can be found by clicking here.

Peace.......... Bob and Dot

Peace..........

Bob and Dot