Season's  Greetings  from  Hansville
 
Volume XXXXIV                                                        December 2021




2020 was an Annus Horribilis - what with covid, etc - a horrible year.  It couldn't get worse.  Or could it?  2021 managed to be worse - much worse.

This is a Newsletter that almost didn't get written, and I'm not sure I really want to write it now.  I wrote my first one about 44 years ago when we moved back from Hawaii onto the Farm in Snohomish.  We had a lot going on, with a lot of news - too much to hand write everyone in a Christmas card.  I'm sure there were some groans from the recipients, but newsletters have become commonplace.  In 2002, I switched to an electronic web-based format (more groans), giving me the ability to add many more color photos.  I never figured I'd be writing this one, or at least I put it out of my mind.  It's a defense mechanism that works.... until it doesn't.  But the final day comes for all of us.  I hope this isn't too morose, but I am morose and make no apologies.

I lost my Dot on Sunday morning, August 8.  She was my reason for living, and so now, I really have no reason for living.  Really.  I was her sole caregiver for a prolonged period of time,  and that sucked every last ounce of energy from my mind and body.  Her passing was not easy and she weighed barely more than 50 lbs at the end.  The vision and memory remain vivid and I am not taking it very well - nor can I shake those images from my mind, no matter how hard I try.  51 years is a long time --  too long to just turn the page and move on with life.  At least for me.

We were one person with two bodies.  We got married alone, we lived our lives alone - doing everything together - EVERYTHING!  We went boating together; we went flying together.  We went shopping and hiking together.  We went to the dentist together.  We got our haircuts together.  Like I said - Everything.  When she got sick, and died, we were alone.  And I buried her alone.  When I buried her, on Tuesday, August 17, I honestly wanted to tell the grave diggers to dig another hole along side her, and let me climb in..... I figured it was one more final thing we needed to do - together.

With no children, no near relatives, and even no more pets, we lived with each other, for each other, and within each other.  And that's the way we led our lives - for more than half a century.  No regrets.  Yes, we have friends - but.....  So, when one of those partners leaves this earth, it's not a 50% loss; it's a 100% loss.  My only consolation is that I didn't go first; I can handle the situation (barely) -  she could not have - and that was my endless worry for so many years and years.


I took this picture November 30, 2020.
It was our last "normal" picture.

I wrote a long Tribute page in her Memory - click here to go to it.

I created the Tribute page while she was sick; made it into a Birthday Gift on May 14.  And a Memorial Page after she passed.  I've been adding to it almost daily ever since, as I find new pictures and more items around the house.  It's been a very dynamic document!

We have no plans for a service.  Dot didn't want one, and neither do I.  My memorial is in the webpage I put together in her honor.  It says it all for those who wish to read it.

The Hansville Cemetery is a very small rural cemetery only a mile away and I go to visit her every day - we have prime spots right next to a bench where I can sit, re-arrange her flowers, and give her the latest news..... as well as pouring out my sorrows.  My regrets.  My advice:  Don't have any regrets; live life the best you can right now.  This minute.  Don't wait, even for a second.



 



   

I bring her a Daisy a Day - click here for the song



  Arriving is always a joy, leaving is tearful and melancholy.  Certain songs buzz through my head constantly, but when I leave, this one always appears out of nowhere:
Bye bye love
Bye bye happiness
Hello loneliness
I think I'm gonna cry
Bye bye love
Bye bye sweet caress
Hello emptiness
I feel like I could die
Bye bye my love goodbye
During this long and horrible journey, I (we) were supported by some friends who truly came through; some were not even serious "friends" before - but reached out - sometimes in amazing ways.  Others supported in a more modest way.  And some I have never heard from - before, during, and after this long ordeal.

Some of the Stars - starting with Number One:  Lisa, my dental hygienist who came out of nowhere and has given countless hours on the phone, and flowers and text messages and endless support even though her own life is filled with major challenges. Steve T., retired Boeing pilot who was always there when I needed to talk - even when he was flying his Gulfstream at 42,000 ft over Greenland!;  Linda and Randy - cousins from Rockaway. NY, who also have myriad challenges and reached out with cards, flowers, calls and tons of food!  Anne from Grande Prairie, Alberta and Jean and Labeeb from Charlottetown, PEI who called constantly - especially after Dot passed.  They were worried about me.   Brother-in-Law Louis from Havre-Aubert, nephew Louis from Montreal, and Niece Elisabeth from Nanaimo; Doctors Bob M. and Chris J. who proved that there are still some old-time doctors left (unlike Dot's two oncologists who never even acknowledged her passing.)  Fred McC. - Viet Nam helo pilot who has sent many uplifting messages; Glenda W. from Hilo; Judy M.; Jeff, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Agent in Port Townsend; Steve in Milwaukee and Dan in Orlando - both Southwest Airlines 737 Captains; Michael - retired Eastern pilot from NH; Randi - the Safeway Store Manager who delivered my groceries (a 16 mile round-trip!); Jenn H. - current Boeing test pilot; Tom I., retired Boeing test pilot; Terry L. - retired Airbus test pilot back home in Michigan flying his RV-8; Dave K. - retired Lockheed test pilot down in Palmdale; Del F. - retired USAF pilot (and Boeing); Dave W. - and Jocko - both retired Navy pilots on Whibey; Doug H. - UPS pilot - a source of constant support; Jim Y., current Delta pilot and Mike W. - retired Delta pilot on Orcas Island; (Geez I know a lot of pilots!); Stefan B. from Minnesota - retired Connie Flight Engineer turned psychologist who gives me free couch time; Ward B. - retired Museum lawyer who kicks in free legal advice as well; David C. - a Dean at M.I.T. in Boston; Alison, Rosie, and the Tripper from the Museum of Flight; Herb F., Wayne W., Bill S., Duane J., Bruce G., Terry W., Kari R., Fred C.,  Jack W., Jim H., Jerry L., Mitch G. Peter M. and Chris L. - all former Boeing colleagues.  All went the extra mile.  And to anyone I've left out - thanks to you too.

Note:  I am in process of dropping my land line and going 100% with my cell number.  If you want to reach me, please use my cell number:   425  418-3321

Some "friends" commissioned an author to write my biography.  I've not been too keen on the idea and have written a few stories of my own in self-defense, and to get out in front.  The first describes our decision to get married in California in 1970.

    You can find them by clicking here.

So - Here's to all of you - Here's Hoping 2022 will treat us all more gently.

Savor each day and love one another, for our time here is brief.

Peace,

Bob

There's a Long, Long Trail A-Winding

Nights are growing lonely,
 Days are very long;
 I'm a-growing weary
 Only list'ning for your song.

 Old remembrances are thronging
 Thro' my memory,
 Thronging till it seems
 The world is full of dreams,
 Just to call you back to me.

 There's a long, long trail a-winding
 Into the land of my dreams,
 Where nightingales are singing
 And a white moon beams.

There's a long, long night of waiting
 Until my dreams all come true;
 Till the day when I'll be going down
 That long, long trail with you.

 All night long I hear you calling,
 Calling sweet and low;
 Seem to hear your footsteps falling
 Ev'ry where I go.

 Tho' the road between us stretches
 Many a weary mile,
 Somehow I forget That you're not with me yet
 When I think I see you smile.
There's a long, long trail a-winding
 Into the land of my dreams,
 Where nightingales are singing
 And a white moon beams.

There's a long, long night of waiting
 Until my dreams all come true;
 Till the day when I'll be going down
 That long, long trail with you.
(Words: Stoddard King / Music: Alonzo "Zo" Elliott) 1913

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0YSLASuDRU


3:48 AM June 25, 2021 - Mt. Baker and Sunrise in Hansville
(and for my Bro Tony T. - this is SOC - Straight Out of the Camera, with ZERO processing!)
I pretty much gave up sleeping for 8 months and so got rewarded by some outstanding sunrises.

Passings 2020 - 2021
Detailed Obits at the Bottom
Some of these passings occurred prior to 2021 and I only learned of them later.

  12/24/2020    Bill Wilkens - MOF volunteer - of covid

Bill was a constant presence for many years at the Museum's Restoration Facility at Paine Field in Everett.  He always had a smile, was a jack of all trades, a skilled welder, and a good friend.


   Jack Wires   December 30, 2020 - 88

Jack was an old Field Rep, who had numerous assignments, before moving up in the ranks and became my boss for some time.  Later, he was made V.P. Quality and I worked with him again when I became Director of Quality.  Representative of "the Old Boeing" and one of the "Good Guys."

   Ron Ochs    June 20, 2020  -  90
Standing in front of our airplane at his Oregon ranch with his wife Laurice

Ron Ochs was a Trustee at the Museum of Flight.  I met him when he came to serve on the Collections Committee - a committee I have served on for over 40 years.  Ron was a Korean War fighter pilot -  flew F-86s - and had a big (I mean BIG) ranch down in Oregon near Madras.  He used to fly his Cessna up to Boeing Field for the Museum meetings.  We got to be very good friends.  In October 2014, he invited Dot and myself to be his house guests for a few days.  He had his own airstrip in front of his old ranch house, plus a very fancy "cabin" about a 45 minute drive up in the hills.  We flew in and had a great time!


  Al Jones    Jan 6 2021 - 101
Al Jones, Brien Wygle and myself at the Museum

Al - as can be seen in that photo above - was like a little leprechaun.  And he was well qualified - born in Vancouver to parents who came from Wales and Ireland. He was a short guy with an ever-present twinkle in his eye and a remarkable bounce in his step - especially when considering he almost made it to 102!  Al and I talked often on the phone, exchanged email stories, and enjoyed each other's company immensely.  He came to all my Museum theater talks and we were mutual fans.

Like so many Boeing Test Pilots that I have known, you could never guess what he did for a living - or what his background was.  That's the way it was with the Greatest Generation. He soloed in a Piper Cub in 1939, flew 40 combat missions in Wellingtons with the RAF, transferred to the USAAF so he could fly 48 more - with many in the Northrop P-61 Black Widow night fighter - another one of my favorites.  Did I say he had the DFC?  Why do these guys have to die to find out what they really did???

At Boeing, he flew all the equipment, from F-100 fighter chase planes to B-52s and all the heavy iron in between.  His story below.


2/23/21  Mary Lou Mantzarinis  - 84

Mary Lou Mantzarinis was born on December 13, 1937 and passed away on February 20, 2021.  She was my boss Dick Taylor's secretary, and hence mine as well.  Me and Mary Lou were Dick's only two employees, so we were a pretty tight little family.  I loved working with her.


  Bill Shineman 
Bill, Me, Jim Johnson - about 1982.
I made a suggestion that saved the Company $37 Million; they gave me a nice Plaque.....

Bill was a Boeing mucky-muck - VP-GM in charge of Everett among other fancy jobs - he rose through the ranks.  A Mustang was what guys like that were known as - rivet bucker on the shop floor to head honcho.  That's what made Boeing great.  They don't do that anymore.  They'd rather hire guys like Jim McNerney - Harvard MBA types with green eye shades and expensive living styles - whose background was as a "Brand Manager" for Proctor & Gamble.  (I tried for years to find out what "Brands" McNerney was responsible for - without success; so I picked one and called him Mr. Tampax, which is a P&G Brand.)

I used to call Bill "Shine Man" (instead of Shin-a-men); I blame him for all my troubles with my bosses over violating company policy as a Rep when I was working on airplanes.  Bill used to work in AOG  (Airplane on Ground) which was a Boeing rapid-response airplane repair team that went out and fixed busted airplanes.  About December 1968-January 1969, Nordair in Montreal had an an APU fire (Auxiliary Power Unit - a small gas turbine engine in the tail) on their brand new airplane, that burned up the tail cone and one elevator. 

An AOG Repair consisted of two teams - first, about a four-man Survey Team arrived; they inspected the damage and came up with a repair scheme and cost estimate.  If the customer agreed, then a larger follow-on Repair Team arrived with mechanics, tools and parts to accomplish the repair.  In this case, it was determined that the tail cone and elevator needed to be replaced.  But Bill decided that the Repair Team could stay home in Seattle; "Me and Bogash will do the repair - by ourselves".  Which we did.  After that I fixed a lot of airplanes by myself - a lot.  A bad habit I learned from Bill.



  Tommy Vaughn   May 17, 2021   69

The above picture was taken July 29, 1970 - at our wedding in Soledad, California.  Tommy was my Best Man - he's on the far right in the picture.  The young people were our witnesses, and were arranged for by Father McSweeney, who officiated.  We never met again, but our friends the Rianda's kept us posted on his activities.  After going in to the Coast Guard, he became a prominent local farmer.

6/15/2021       Martha Reid   19 July 1921 - 16 Jun 2021  99


Martha was Dot's last living sister, and they were very close, enjoying many long telephone conversations - often once or twice a week.  Martha came to visit every place we lived, in Montreal, in Hawaii, on the Farm in Snohomish, and in Hansville.  Martha was very upset by Dot's illness - according to some of her daughters, she just "decided to die" since she dreaded hearing the news that Dot had passed.  People do that.

  6/15/2021  Chris Longridge

Chris was a very close friend who sadly passed the same day as Dot's sister Martha.  He lived in Port Townsend and we had been good friends for over 40 years.  He was one of the last people with whom I could talk knowledgeably about old airplanes and old airlines.  I decided to dedicate my airplane/airline historical web pages in Chris' memory.  I so wish he could be enjoying them with me.

I created a Memorial Page in Chris's honor - click here.



  6/16/2021  Jim Dawes  89

Jim was an Aussie who moved to Canada and was a Maintenance Supervisor during my years at Nordair in Montreal.  We stayed friends ever since; he moved to Vancouver for a number of years - we talked but never linked up face-to-face, and then returned to Montreal to be closer to Lorna's family.  I think, but am not certain, that they stopped off to see us in Honolulu during one of their periodic trips down under.

7/28/2021        Jim Von der Linn   85

Jim was a fellow Boeing and Museum worker, a frequent correspondent and came with me to Moses Lake to help work on NASA 515 - the Boeing 737 Prototype airplane.


   8/8/2021  Dot   85

Almost more than my fingers can type, but I lost my love and my life on August 8 after 51 years of marriage.  Much more than "a part" of me died that day.  I created a long picture and story Memorial tribute to her life, which keeps growing (and growing) as I uncover more and more items and pictures.  You can review the latest edition by clicking here.
   8/8/2021     Bob   77

Bob Bogash was born March 22, 1944 in Louisville, Kentucky.  He spent his early years growing up on Fort Knox where his dad was a Sargeant in the U.S. Army.  From Kentucky, he moved with his family to New York, New Rochelle, then Troy, NY, Los Angeles, then Seattle, Montreal, Gander, Newfoundland, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Honolulu, and back to Seattle, Snohomish and finally to Hansville, Washington (with quite a few other stops along the way.)

Bob was active in aviation his whole life, worked for Boeing for over 30 years, built his own airplane, and was an avid photographer recording many of his life's adventures.  He married Dorothy Cormier in 1970 and they were married for 51 years, enjoying many exciting experiences together.  Bob died when Dot died on August 8 and has been going through life's motions ever since, waiting for their reunion.  Although he occasionally answers the phone, do not mistake that apparition for the living Bob - for his mind, heart, spirit and soul are with Dot.  Bob died when Dot died.



   James Raisbeck  Aug 31, 2021   84
Myself (Bob), James Raisbeck, and Bill Ayers (former President of Alaska Airlines)

James Raisbeck was a famous aviation name around Seattle, and around the world.  He left Boeing to work with several smaller companies, and then founded his own companies, that developed aerodynamic performance improvements for existing airplanes.  A big supporter of the Museum of Flight, he also was responsible for the Raisbeck Aviation High School, across the street from the Museum where future aviation leaders are born and nurtured.

James was a big supporter of my Museum airplane restoration projects and we also shared a love for historic photographs that we had both taken and we shared tips and techniques for digitizing and preserving our work.

Here's a picture he took that he was especially proud of - and that we discussed and worked on quite a bit.  It shows E1 - the 727 Prototype - taxiing out for its first take-off from Renton 9 Feb 1963.




   William (Bill) Thomas Larkins    99
 March 22, 1922- September 9, 2021

Bill Larkins may not be a household name - but he was in the aviation world.  An avid photographer for most of a century, his work appeared endlessly in aviation books and periodicals.  (And, I found out, we shared the same birthday!)

After admiring his work for over 50 years, I was surprised (and honored) when Bill reached out to me, praising my website and photographs, after finding them late.

Hello Bob:  I thought that Subject might get your attention. And to complete it here is a photo of a United 247D landing at Oakland in 1940.

I have to apologize for being such a late comer but I just saw your website yesterday for the first time. I asked Ed Davies for your email address so I could contact you and say what an excellent job you did.

  Bill's trusty Kodak 616
  

I am still active photographing planes. I have had a great time for the last three years over by SFO getting the airliners a mile away from Runways 28L and 28R. I'll forward some sample photos.

   

But now I have a real problem as I gave up driving and sold my car so have no way to get there except by a friend. I am fairly certain I will be able to do that once a month.I gave almost all of my 616 B&W negs to the Museum of Flight so if you are looking for something it may be there. But I kept all of the seaplanes in California for a book so have them here.

All for now and Best Wishes,

Bill Larkins



Bob,

Well after my 95th Birthday I wanted to prove to myself that I can still take aviation action photos. Rick kindly made it possible for me and here are some results. The answer, as I suspected, is Yes.

We had a beautiful day of sun and huge white clouds. The sun would be out and then hidden as they moved, even alternating down the runway.
  
No - I don't think he has lost his touch!

When a man like Bill Larkins reaches out and tells you he likes your airplane pictures - well, it's like Rembrandt telling you he likes your painting!
  An honor.
 James Longridge  Nov 29, 2021   74

James was Chris Longridge's brother.  He lived in Victoria and passed only five months after his brother Chris (see above.)  Although not in the aviation business, James liked airplanes - a lot, and showed his love via drawing, painting and model building.  He built a series of models for Chris, including Constellation, DC-3 and Britannia, which became weathervanes in Chris's yards (Normandy Park and Pt. Townsend).  We corresponded via email and met in person a number of times at Chris's home -  here on delivery of the Connie to Normandy Park.
Many of his models underwent a number of iterations as he worked out the aesthetic and mechanical details, and got "flight-tested," first out a car window, and then in the yard.

  
A beautiful sunset picture


Chris hoisting it in his yard

  


   December 2, 2021    John Marchese

Gino Jack was a friend and a senior manager in my shop at Boeing.  He was from New Jersey - and proud of it.  A great guy.
OBITS

Dot Bogash   August 8, 2021     85




Albert Lloyd Jones

Albert Lloyd Jones
April 24, 1919 - January 6, 2021

Albert Lloyd "Al" Jones was born April 24, 1919 in Vancouver, BC. He was the second child of John (Jack) Owen and Ruby Adeline Jones. They had a total of 3 children. His father and mother immigrated separately from Wales and Ireland and met in British Columbia, married and then moved to Seattle, WA where they opened a bakery on Queen Anne hill called Mrs. J's Fancy Foods.

Al's acquaintance with a grade school classmate Naides from the Seattle area was to blossom into true love after WWII. He and Naides were married in 1947 and raised two children Leslie and Kevin. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Naides passed away in 2002. Al was blessed with 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

Albert's career
Al's original ambition according to his 1938 high school year book was journalism. That was short-lived as he always had a desire to fly. He soloed in a J-3 Cub in 1939 and proceeded to build time in the Cub and a Fairchild 22. Al had high hopes of getting enough time to be hired as an airline pilot. Al became impatient with the war effort in Europe and signed up with the Royal Canadian Air Force, (RCAF), in 1940. Upon graduating from the RCAF Cadet program, flying the Tiger Moth, Fleet, Avro Ansen, and Harvard (AT-6), he stayed on as an instructor in the Harvard AT-6 for another year. Al requested assignment to fly the RAF Wellington bomber. Al earned an RAF Distinguished Flying Cross and after completing 40 combat missions with the RAF, he transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps flying another 48 combat night intruder missions in the British Beaufighter, and the Northrop P-61 Black Widow. Al retired in 1968 as a full Colonel.

From 1945 to 1956, Al acquired ATP ratings in several aircraft - DC-3, DC-4, C-46, Lockheed Lodestar and later a rating in a DC-9. During this period, he flew for some non-scheduled air carriers building more flight time. In 1956, he was hired by Boeing as a production test pilot on the B-47 in Wichita and later the B-52 test program. Al flew the F-100 as chase plane on B-52 test hops. In 1962, Al transferred to the Commercial Airplane Division of Boeing, where he flew all models - 707 thru 747 and received the first FAA type rating in the Boeing 747. Al's expertise was tested the night D.B. Cooper hi-jacked a Boeing 727 and Al received a call to determine the speed that could be used to open the rear air-stair door in flight. Al also demonstrated the Boeing 737 high altitude takeoff & landing capability in Peru with airports above 11,000 feet. There is a legendary photo enlarged that is displayed at the Boeing flight crew training center in the main hallway of this epic event.

Albert's family
1953 After Leslie was born, Naides and Al moved into their new house on Magnolia. In 1956 Al took a job in Wichita, Kansas. It was soon after that move that Kevin was born. At that point, the Jones' became a Boeing family, moving several times before settling back in Bellevue in 1962. Al traveled a lot for Boeing and had friends in many parts of the world. He made sure he included his family in his travels. Naides, Leslie and Kevin had the privilege of going on some of the Boeing delivery flights overseas. Al and Naides were wonderful parents and the best role models. Honesty, Integrity, and most of all Love.

Al and his family enjoyed boating on Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Desolation Sound. Al's first venture in boating began as a youth with his Uncle Harry who was skipper on a working vessel. Al would join him on pleasure trips and was hired as a worker to help the crew. Years later as a husband and father he rented a 28 foot pleasure craft and took the first family trip to the San Juan Islands. Later he partnered with his friend and fellow pilot Don Thometz and purchased the "Donal" a 30 foot Chris Craft. The two families shared the use of the boat and enjoyed many trips. In 1973 Al had a 38 foot Roberts Design pleasure craft constructed from the ground up which was launched as a hull, superstructure engine and controls with no interior finish work yet. They piloted the "Avanti" to Queen City Yacht Club where he was a member and began building the inside finish work, painting, electrical, and other control systems. He and his son did most of the work. The rest of the family contributed as well. This process took about 12 years however they enjoyed summer trips during the construction. The boat continues to be cared for and used by his son, grandson, and the family.

Albert's retirement
Al retired in 1981 from Boeing as the Chief Pilot of the Flight Crew Training Division with 18,000 hours. Al continued to practice his aviation skills after retirement buying a Piper J3 Cub project and assembling it in his basement. He later sold that aircraft and purchased a Cessna 172, which his daughter Leslie used to gain her Commercial and Instrument Pilot Ratings and then continued on to get her Multi Engine rating. Leslie also became a registered nurse. Al was very proud of her accomplishments. Kevin is a professional music producer and earned a BA in broadcast journalism and was hired at Boeing in 1984 as a video/audio producer and IT professional for Boeing senior leadership. Al loved being a part of his activities and proved it over and over by attending Kevin's concerts, road trips, and recording sessions. Al was deeply in love with Naides. She contracted Multiple Sclerosis around 1973 and Al was always by her side, supporting and loving her. Throughout their marriage his children and grandchildren witnessed this example of love and partnership which made a lasting impression and was a model for how they love their own families today.

In retirement, Al's schedule included being honored at numerous parades, Seattle Seahawks Games, Seattle Mariners Ball Games, RAF Battle of Britain Air Expo, WWII Honor Flight in Washington DC which he attended with his son, as well as numerous 4th of July events. Al has been interviewed by many publications which can be found by searching online. Al and his son were both interviewed together by The Museum Of History and Industry (MOHI) and is now viewable at the Museum along with many other Boeing employees.

Al is proceeded in death by his brother Norman Jones, sister Kathleen Soderberg, wife Naides Jones and is survived by his son Kevin, daughter Leslie, 6 grandchildren Austin, Owen, Dylan, Madelyn, Kimberly, and Cory, and 1 great grandchild Henry Albert.

Colonel Albert Jones, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa... you will always be loved.
Ron Ochs

  Ron and myself
His Oregon farmhouse to the right rear.

Ronald Bernard Ochs was born May 11, 1930, to Bernard Nels and Catherine M. (Albrich) Ochs, in Portland, Oregon, and passed away June 20, 2020, in Willowdale, Oregon.

Ron grew up in Portland, Oregon, on Highland Street near Peninsula Park with his older brother, Bob, and his younger sisters, Marilyn and Barbara. He attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Columbia Preparatory School and Oregon State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture.

Ron was always a worker and remembers earning money from the age of six. At 13, he began working at Columbia Edgewater Golf Course where he worked steadily, including weekends during college and on breaks from the military, until he was married at 27 years of age. His experience mowing greens and working on equipment at the golf course inspired his interest in agriculture. Upon graduating from high school, where, as a senior, he was undefeated in the half mile in track, he took business courses for two years at Portland State University before pursuing agriculture at Oregon State. He completed his degree in two years and left for a three month seminal experience near Mitchell, Oregon, where he worked on the Collins Cattle Ranch — an experience to which he referred for the rest of his life.

During his time in Mitchell, he was drafted into the military to support the United States in Korea. Rather than wait for orders, he enlisted to have more influence over his assignment. He chose flight school and eventually became a pilot flying F-86 fighter jets. He completed his four-year commitment and had an immediate career as an airline pilot if he were interested. He chose to be a rancher.

Upon returning to Portland in 1956, he reconnected with his "North Ender" gang of friends, one of whom, Jack LaFranchise, had a little sister named Laurice, whom he met when the two were 10 years old. Until returning from Korea, he cared little for Laurice, but a romance budded (after "I chased him for 17 years," according to Laurice) and the two married November 23, 1957. She, with her degree in education, had taught in Madras, Oregon, and, later, accepted a teaching job in Gateway, Oregon — a place, sort of. Ron and Laurice lived in a small apartment behind Noah Vibbert's store. She taught and he worked at the Soil Conservation Service. His work afforded him opportunity to look for land to buy in his pursuit of becoming a rancher.

Good friends of Laurice were Johnny and Norma Adele Richardson on the Kennedy Ranch near Willowdale. Johnny wanted to ranch and proposed he and Ron partner on the 17,000-acre Priday Ranch, then owned by Chet Fuston. Their challenge was finding the down payment to purchase the ranch. They learned of a doctor in Portland who was a potential investor and traveled there to meet him. The doctor was a no-show, but they heard of a man named Robert B. Pamplin (Sr.), Chairman and CEO of Georgia Pacific, who was interested in a place to hunt. Mr. Pamplin agreed to meet with them and asked how much money Ron had. Along with his answer, Ron stated that the amount was 80% of all the money he had ever earned starting when he was six years old. That impressed Mr. Pamplin and he visited the ranch, saw thick coveys of quail and a variety of other birds and said, "Boys, I think I've seen enough." Mr. Pamplin would play in important role in Ron and Laurice's life from there forward.

In 1959, the year their first child was born, they moved into the home where they would raise five more children and spend the rest of their lives. Ron modernized the farm irrigation system, installed a network of water troughs for cattle grazing on the range land, and improved the Priday Agate Beds. Within two years they had their first herd of cattle and shortly thereafter, Ron won the first of many farming awards including range management and cattleman of the year.

Always interested in aviation, Ron used the G.I. Bill to become a private pilot, eventually getting his instrument rating and instructor (CFI), instrument instructor (CFII) and commercial licenses. He owned Cessna 180's and 185's and, in 1985, finished restoring a 1941 Navy N3N-3 biplane for which he won awards and flew regularly for 30 years.

Tragedy struck in 1979 when their then, 17-year-old middle child, Nels, was killed in a car accident at their driveway on Highway 97. Laurice, at 48, was due with their sixth child, Charles, who was born two weeks later, two weeks overdue.

Ron and Laurice loved to entertain and decided to host fly-ins at the ranch every few years with the help of their kids and family friends. Antique bi-planes and other interesting and beautiful planes would arrive on a Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning and land on the alfalfa field in front of their house. They would enjoy the weekend and leave on Sunday morning. People from Madras would come out to see the planes, eat and relax. It got popular and the crowds grew. In the late 1990's, Don Mobley suggested moving it to Madras and making it an airshow. Thus, in 2000, was born the Airshow of The Cascades.

Ron served on the Jefferson County School Board and was chair when Nels was killed. Traditionally, the chair greets and congratulates graduates as they received their diplomas. As a testament to Ron's character, he chose to fulfill his duty knowing his son's name would be called in memoriam while he stood ready to encourage Nels's classmates.

Ron was an inspiration and a model for many. He envisioned a time when he and Laurice would no longer be with us and, for our heritage, conceived a plan for a family cabin on a portion of the original ranch. A place of respite and gathering. As his good friend and fellow F-86 pilot, Bud Granley, said, "He's a class act. You're damn lucky to have him as a father." We couldn't agree more.

Ron is survived by sister, Marilyn Katherine O'Neill; daughters, Barbara Catherine and Marie Laurice Ochs (Mallon); sons, Edwin Bernard, Benedict Charles and Charles Matthew Ochs; granddaughters, Maureen Laurice and Evelyn Cecilia Ochs; and grandsons, Nels Anthony and Seth Michael Mantia; Aaron Craig, Jordan Jeffery and Charles Patrick Mallon, and Palmer Benedict Ochs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ron was preceded in death by - wife, Laurice Mary (LaFranchise) Ochs; parents, Bernard Nels and Catherine M. (Albrich) Ochs; brother, Robert John Ochs, sister, Barbara Therese Ochs, and son, Nels Robert Ochs.

Ron will be interred at Mountain View cemetery next to his wife and son. A celebration of his life will be arranged where the five Ochs siblings hope to see the many friends and family who knew and loved Ron.


    William (Bill) Thomas Larkins
 March 22, 1922- September 9, 2021

William Thomas Larkins was born on March 22, 1922, in Bakersfield, California, to Genevieve Erb Larkins and Thomas Henry Larkins. His father was the superintendent of the Stauffer Oil Company and the family lived in a small wooden house surrounded by oil derricks. In 1929, the family moved to the Rockridge neighborhood in Oakland, California. Reading the "Flying Aces" and "War Birds" dime novels in the early 1930's brought about a lifelong interest in models, airplanes and flying. At the age of 12, he got a Kodak Brownie box camera and started visiting Bay Area airports to take as many photographs as he could. By the age of 14, he had already taken and cataloged photos of 145 different planes. He enjoyed telling of his father's horror at the FBI appearing on his doorstep investigating his experimental aircraft photography. This was the start of what would become a large and extensively documented collection of aviation negatives and photographs.

After graduation from University High School, Bill enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and learned to fly. He attended San Francisco City College and then the University of San Francisco, where he enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Three months before graduation, his entire ROTC group was activated. Bill was assigned to the Army Air Corps and talked his way into the Army Air Force Photography School at Lowry Field in Denver. He became an instructor in aircraft recognition and publication editor at Army Air Force Headquarters stationed on Park Avenue, in New York City. At the end of the war, he served in the intelligence section of the Army Air Force Reserve and as Photographic Officer for the California National Guard. He returned home to California and finished his B.S. degree in English at the University of San Francisco.

Bill continued taking photos of planes at Bay Area airports, making frequent trips to Buchanan Field in Concord. There he met Clotilde (Tillie) Perez, who was selling surplus airplanes for the War Assets Administration. They were married on July 27, 1950, at Queen of All Saints Church in Concord and moved into the home they had watched being built in the new Fair Oaks subdivision in Pleasant Hill, which happened to be in the flight path of Sherman Field. This was the family home for 64 years, where their two daughters, Mary and Joan, remember knowing everyone in the neighborhood and sitting at the dining room table while their parents had lengthy discussions about aviation with their friends, as well as strong chemical smells associated with developing negatives and self-printed photos rinsed in the bathtub.

His daughters have countless memories of driving the backroads of California while their parents searched for tiny landing strips and crop dusters. Bill lamented the advent of fenced airports and took satisfaction in getting a perfect shot by ignoring "Keep Out" and "Authorized Personnel Only" signs.

Bill began working as an audio-visual specialist and photographer at the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health in 1950. He continued working in administration at the School for thirty-one years. At the same time, he continued his interest in aviation history and photography. In 1956, Bill and close friends Chalmers Johnson and Willis Nye started the American Aviation Historical Society to "research and preserve the history of American aviation." Bill served as secretary and editor of the AAHS Journal for the society's first three years. His early interest in aviation history is shown by his membership numbers: No. 1 in AAHS; 17 in the Antique Airplane Association, 201 in Air Britain; 22 in the National Ryan Club; 28 in the North American Trainers Association.

During this time, Bill was working on his first book. The Ford Story: A Pictorial History of the Ford Tri-Motor 1927-1957. This was followed by US Marine Corps Aircraft 1914-1959 and then US Navy Aircraft 1921-1941. Later books included: US Navy Aircraft 1921-1941/US Marine Corps Aircraft 1914-1959, The Ford Tri-Motor 1926-1992, Battleship and Cruiser Aircraft of the United States Navy 1910-1949 and Surplus WWII U.S. Aircraft.

Bill also collaborated with others on several publications. With Ronald T. Reuther, he wrote San Francisco Bay Area Aviation and Oakland Aviation; with Nick Veronico, Airliner Tech Series Volume 12: Convair Twins: Piston Convair-Liners Prop-Jet Turbo-Liners; with the Alameda Naval Air Museum, Alameda Naval Air Station. Tillie was a key supporter of Bill's aviation history work and called each of Bill's books her "book children." Bill was an active contributor to the AAHS Journal, Air Classics and many other aviation history publications.

Bill was always willing to share his expertise, photographs, and documentation with his fellow aviation enthusiasts. He embraced the new world of computers and was excited about being able to email other aviation historians and photographers around the world and enjoyed seeing his photographs in books by fellow enthusiasts. He facilitated several online aviation discussion groups and shared thousands of his aircraft photographs online. A 2004 exhibit at the San Francisco Airport Museum, Arriving SFO: Photographs by William T. Larkins, showcased photographs of four decades of commercial aircraft that served San Francisco. In 2004, he received the International Society for Aviation Photography George Hall Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2006, he was honored with the Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award for Excellence in Naval Aviation History and Literature.

In addition to his aviation activities, Bill and his wife, Tillie, were very involved in their community. They were active members of the Fair Oaks Homeowners Association. They volunteered every Tuesday for 25 years in the photo department at the Contra Costa Historical Society. They also participated in water aerobics classes at the Pleasant Hill YMCA for 30 years, enjoying the group's monthly birthday luncheons. They were founding members of both Christ the King and Most Precious Blood (now St. Francis of Assisi) parishes. Both Bill and Tillie were on the editorial staff of the volume commemorating the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Most Precious Blood/ St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Bill was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He graciously welcomed having his daughter Joan and her husband Robert living in the little house in his backyard for three months while they searched for a permanent job after graduating from college. Carrying on a long-standing practice, he made sure his grandson experienced his first airshow at the age of three months. Affectionately known as "Nina Pa" by his grandchildren, Tom and Anna, they remember that it always took longer than expected to reach a destination due to stops at multiple airports on trips with their grandparents. Bill enjoyed family dinners and going out to eat with family and friends. He had a definite sweet tooth; Anna became an expert at making tiramisu because it was her grandfather's favorite dessert. For the last 17 months of his life he participated in a nightly video call with his daughters and family.

In 2014, Bill made the decision to move to Carlton Senior Living Downtown Pleasant Hill. He enjoyed his apartment overlooking the courtyard and always praised the staff for their care. They joked that they knew, without his asking, that he liked ice cream for dessert every evening.

Due to Covid-19, the family will hold a private funeral. A Celebration of Bill's Life for family and friends will be held in March, which would have marked his 100th birthday.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Clotilde Perez Larkins, his brother, John Henry Larkins and his infant grandson, Alexander Joseph Woelfel. He is survived by his daughters Mary (Joseph) Woelfel, of Lodi, CA, and Joan (Robert) Mather of Columbia, MD, and grandchildren Thomas (Ayesha) Woelfel of New York, NY, and Anna Marie Woelfel of San Francisco, CA.

Bill will be missed by family, friends, aviation photographers and historians, who will remember his friendship and mentorship. Memorial donations may be made to the Contra Costa Historical Society, the Society for Aviation History or to a charity of your choice.

Tommy Vaughn

BORN
November 22, 1952
DIED
May 17, 2021



Thomas Paul Vaughan, 68, of the Soledad Mission District, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, May 17, 2021 with his sons and daughter-in-law by his side. He was born in Salinas on November 22, 1952. Tommy was the second child of eight children born to Paul and Alice Vaughan of the Soledad Mission District.

He attended Mission Union Elementary and Gonzales High School. In 1971 he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. He did his basic training on Alameda Island, and his first tour of active duty in the state of Washington. He was stationed in Monterey Bay while in the Reserves.

He began farming on the family ranch at a young age, and continued farming with his Dad and brothers for most of his adult life.

Growing up in the Mission District with such a big family, there was never a dull moment. As the eldest boy, Tommy led the family in all types of fun and mischief. He and his brothers would spend days outside, when they weren't working, building treehouses, forts, riding bikes and motorcycles all over the place. They made up half of the Mission Acorns little league team! He loved games, such as Pedro, Cribbage, Backgammon, Yahtzee, cards, you name it. And he was good, often winning, rarely losing. He taught some of his younger siblings (including his sisters) how to throw a ball, how to drive a stick shift and a tractor.

He was an active Mission 4-H and Gonzales FFA member, then later became a dedicated 4-H leader. Tommy was on the Mission School Board of Trustees for several years. He was an active member of American Legion Post 32 in Soledad, where he proudly served for many years.

While the Mission-Soledad community benefited from these leadership roles, nothing compared to Tommy's BBQ skills. He had a passion for serving his community by barbecuing for anyone who needed his help. If you've been lucky enough to have BBQ at the Soledad Mission, Our Lady of Solitude Church, the American Legion, or countless other get-togethers in the area, he was likely there, behind the pit, with his team of skilled grilling buddies to create the best chicken and ribs this valley has ever tasted.

He was an incredibly generous and kind person, with many lifelong friends who meant a great deal to him.

Above all else, Tommy was proudest of his two sons, Nicholas and Zachary. He was a dedicated and involved Dad, who taught his boys values and skills that they will carry throughout their lives.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Alice Vaughan. He is survived by his sons, Nicholas (Sara), Zachary (Ashley), granddaughter (Haley), and siblings Janie Headley (Tim), Curtis (Janet), Bill (Marsha), Tim, Nancy (Greg), Kevin (Barbara) and Kerry (John). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack Harrison Wires
July 25, 1932 - December 30, 2020   88


Jack Wires, one of the good guys, born to Harold Wires and Alice Dunbabin Wires in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on July 25, 1932, left this world the morning of December 30, 2020, not quite ready to leave. A family man, a company man. He honored his obligations and his duties. He was dedicated to doing the right thing through all of his life.

He took great joy in the outdoors whether tending to his yard, even to raking the leaves, and most particularly, whenever he could do it, into his 82nd year, camping and hiking, especially on the Pacific Crest Trail these last many years with Lance and Sonny. Hikes and camping with his children and grandchildren, family road-trips and reunions at the Oregon coast and Sunriver were especially good times.

Jack loved storytelling, sharing opinions and giving advice. Never idle, he always had a mission for the day and would be on the lookout for a new house, car or yard project; he could, or would try, to fix most anything. He was the patriarch, and rock, of our family, and will be missed beyond measure.

He held in high regard his coworkers and gave his all to his job. After retirement, he truly relished the friendly comradery of monthly lunches with colleagues.

Jack loved with all his heart, his wife, Nancy, his daughters, Bonny (Roger Enoka), Sandy (Duane Miller), Carolyn (Sonny (Lionel) Ruckstuhl), Jennifer ( ) Hauswurz ??, and sons, Lance (Rochelle Brown), Brendan (Sheri), his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Maro Enoka (Christine, Katelyn, Abby), Joel Enoka (Rania, Nohorua, Lono, Maicah), Seth Enoka, Tre' (Lionel) Ruckstuhl, Sheehan Ruckstuhl, Alice Ruckstuhl, Elliot Wires, Bailey Hauswurz, Hayden Wires, Rosalie Wires, Ryker Wires, Christopher ... one whom he missed, his brother, Jay Wires, his sisters-in-law, Susan Gill and Paula Luders (d), his brothers-in-law, Ernest Luders and Don Gill (d), his nephews and nieces, Mark and Michiko Luders, Matt Luders, John Luders, Lori Luders, John Michael Luders, Alyssa and Ross with Raina and Francesca, Joseph Luders and Johannah Warshaw with Ivy and Rose, Richard Gill, Mary (Gill) and Darin Janda with Donald and Sylvia, Megan (Gill) and Kim, ... Sylvia Estes and many well-regarded and well-loved cousins and friends.

He maintained a sincere interest in everyone.
He was glad to be home.
We held Christmas.
He was a contented man.
I am thankful for the life he has given us.
Published on January 24, 2021

7/28/21        Jim Von der Linn   85

February 13, 1936 - July 28, 2021

Jim Von Der Linn of Renton, WA,died peacefully, with his wife by his side, after a long battle with IPF.  He was born in 1936 in St. Albans, NY, and lived in Newport Hills for 35 years before building their dream home on Cougar Mt. in 1997. He retired from Boeing in 1995 after 37 years as an aeronautical engineer.He volunteered for Boeing Museum of Flight and numerous charity organizations, sang in their church choir, and helped friends with home projects. His life was enriched by his Cursillo Brothers, Newport Hills friends, Marriage Encounter couples, and friends in Scottsdale,where they spent winters.  Jim will be deeply missed by his wife of 63 years, Kathy, sweethearts since high school.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur (when Jim was 7), his mother, Ethel, and his siblings Barbara and Tom. He was a very involved and proud dad of five children: Karen Story (Grant Erwin), Kelly Gallant (Rob), Susan Ortega (Ernie), David (Annie), Mark (Denise), and 10 grandchildren: Ian, Colin, Emma, Casey, Levi, Brandon, Kylie, Ava, Alex, Nicky. Service at St. Madeleine Sophie Church 4400 130th Pl SE Bellevue, Friday, Aug 6 at 4:00 pm.
  Aug 31/2021  James Raisbeck


SEATTLE — It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our Founder, James Raisbeck who passed away Tuesday, August 31st, 2021, and will be greatly missed. James had been an iconic figure in the aviation industry with a career that spanned sixty-seven years. Over nearly seven decades, James made countless contributions to the industry and his community. While Raisbeck Engineering was acquired by Acorn Growth Companies in 2016, James continued to be active both at work and through multiple philanthropic interests.

“I am honored to lead the company that bears James Raisbeck’s name. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know James and I valued his input, insights and wisdom. We will miss James tremendously and our hearts reach out to his family and friends,” said Hal Chrisman, the President of Raisbeck Engineering.

Rick Nagel, Managing Partner of Acorn Growth Companies, said, “James was an iconic figure in the aviation industry, best known for King Air modifications, but his influence reached well beyond that segment of the market. James established and built a company we worked with as a channel partner for two previous Acorn companies before acquiring Raisbeck into our portfolio, allowing us the opportunity to continue James’ legacy of developing products that improve aircraft performance and safety. The entire Acorn and Raisbeck teams will miss his unwavering passion for the aerospace sector and are deeply saddened with his loss. We offer our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time.”

While it is impossible to encapsulate a career as long and deep as James’ in a few words, we will try to hit the high points.

In 1954, James started his aviation career in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman Basic E-1. Even at that early stage of his career, James exhibited the tenacity that he has long been known for by fighting hard to earn his A&P license. James spent many long hours maintaining many different military aircraft before winding up as a flight engineer on the B-36.

James left the U.S. Air Force and enrolled in Purdue University to pursue his dream career — aircraft design. James graduated from Purdue in 1961 with his coveted degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Shortly thereafter, James landed a job as a Research Aerodynamicist with The Boeing Airplane Co. where he worked as part of a team that designed and flight tested an innovative trailing-edge flap system that gave Boeing’s new 707 airliner the ability to fly at speeds as low as 60 knots. This was technology that, along with other products developed by the team on which James worked, found its way into Boeing’s highly successful commercial transport aircraft.

But James dreamed of going farther in improving airplane productivity and in 1969 left Boeing to pursue his ideas for improving existing aircraft with products that enhance and improve productivity, performance, safety, and comfort. He first put his ideas to work as President and Chief Engineer at the legendary Robertson Aircraft Corporation, birthplace of the famed Robertson Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) kits created for multiple general aviation aircraft.


In 1970, James began focusing on improving the Learjet wing. Raisbeck and his team perused results from full-scale testing of a Learjet 23 by NASA Ames in its 40-by-80-foot wind tunnel. The numbers surprised Raisbeck who up until then had spent most of his aeronautical engineering career developing aerodynamic enhancements for Boeing jets. Raisbeck saw opportunities in those test results, opportunities that led to the development in the early 1970s of the Mark II and Mark IV low-speed performance systems and the Mark III high-speed drag reduction packages. The Mark II and Mark IV Wings became standard technology on all Learjet Century III and Softflite versions throughout the world.

In 1973, Raisbeck left Robertson and officially launched his own company. In 1976, Rockwell International asked James to redesign its Saberliner series. As a result, the model 65 was equipped and manufactured with Raisbeck-designed Supercritical Wings, which were also retrofitted to Saberliner models 60 and 80.

In 1981, James turned his focus to the Beechcraft King Air family. Often described as the man who could see air flow, James saw possibilities for improving the King Air’s productivity, performance, safety, and overall customer usefulness. Raisbeck’s engineering team began design work on what was later to be certified as the Mark VI system for the King Air 200 series which included several systems that are still in use today: the Ram Air Recovery System, Dual Aft Body Strakes, and High Float Gear Doors.

A year later, Raisbeck Engineering was incorporated and the name Raisbeck has become synonymous with the King Air. Over the years, Raisbeck has developed multiple modifications for the King Air and today more than 64% of the 6,200+ King Airs in operation today have at least one Raisbeck modification. Further confirmation of the value of these products is the fact that several have been drawn into the King Air production line. These include Dual Aft Body Strakes and Nacelle Wing Lockers on the King Air 350, Ram Air Recovery System on the King Air 250, and propellers on the King Air C90.

However, King Airs were not the only aircraft type on which Raisbeck worked his magic. A short and certainly incomplete list of products developed under James’ leadership includes Learjet Aft Fuselage Lockers, Stage 3 Noise Reduction Kits for the 727, Airbus A320 Overhead Bin Enlargement Kits, and ZR Lite Performance Systems for the Learjet 31, 35, and 36 that improved performance while reducing fuel consumption by a stunning 10%.

Raisbeck Engineering today is still integrating advanced technology with previously designed but proven airplanes of all types. Identifying a need, finding a solution customers want, and delivering on that solution at a price worth paying has been the tone that James Raisbeck set when he started his long association with airplanes and his company and that trait has made the company a success to this day.

James’ contributions to the industry have been recognized by a who’s who of aviation organizations. In 1979 James was honored by Purdue University, receiving their Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, and again in 1999 with Purdue’s Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award. That same year he was awarded the AIAA Commercial Aviation Technical Achievement Award. In 2000 he was awarded Professional Pilot Magazine’s Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2002 The National Business Aviation Association awarded James its Lifetime Achievement Award for Meritorious Service to Aviation. In May 2005, James received an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Purdue. In 2007 he was elected as a Pathfinder; that same year also saw him and his wife, Sherry, honored as First Citizens by the City of Seattle. In 2008 James received the Living Legends Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award. James was elected to Fellow in the AIAA in 2012. Most recently, James was placed on the National Air and Space Museum’s Wall of Honor, a permanent memorial at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, recognizing those with a passion for flight.

But James’ true legacy abides in his generous philanthropy and enthusiasm for his community, particularly education and the arts. James and his wife Sherry, through their Foundation, have given significant grants over the years in support of Education, the Arts, the Museum of Flight, Medical Research, and the Raisbeck Aviation High School. The High School, which he helped establish in 2013 through the Raisbeck Foundation, was particularly close to his heart. James and Sherry became integral parts of the Raisbeck High School. His compassion, enthusiasm and support of the students, faculty and family members at the Raisbeck High School not only touched many lives but brought him just as much joy. James also served on the Executive Committee for the Museum of Flight, providing his expertise to many committees, including Education, campaigns, and galas.

   John Sebastian Marchese

January 24, 1934 ~ December 2, 2021 (age 87)

John  S. Marchese (Gino) , a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, was born January 24th, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey to Sebastian John Marchese and Theresa E. De Stefano. After a long and active life, he passed away peacefully December 2nd, 2021, with his family by his side at a local hospital.

John is survived by his beloved wife Joanne Spino Marchese whom he married June 8th, 1957, his children John (Joe) Joseph (Mary) and Lisa Marie Marchese, grandchild Gianna Marie Marchese, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

John lived an active and well-traveled life earning a degree from the University of Georgia, the title of Private First Class with an honorable discharge from the US Army, and had a highly successful career as a Boeing Executive; commercial Airplane Division retiring after 42 years in 1999.

John was a gifted and lifelong athlete who loved and excelled in sports. An avid golfer who enjoyed spending time at his Palm Desert home golfing with family and friends. John had a love for baseball, played at the college level, and loved the New York Yankees from a very early age. John also cherished time spent with his granddaughter and was always present to encourage and support her various athletic contests and games.

John was very involved in clubs and a long-time member of the Italian Club of Seattle, the West Seattle Italian Civic Club, and long-time member of Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America #1390 Seattle Fedele Lodge where he held several offices and served in various leadership positions.

Cherished friend and colleague to many, always very generous with his time and the first one to lend a helping hand to others, he will be greatly missed by family and community alike. 

We will miss you always and love you forever.

James Longridge  
May 14, 1947 - November 29, 2021


A  teacher and principal to hundreds, a mentor and tutor to many, and a friend to all - passed away on November 29, 2021 at the Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge.

James was born in Exeter, England to David and Frances Longridge. He had two older brothers, Christopher and Paul. In 1948 the family emigrated to Victoria, BC where his sister Daphne was born. James loved sports during his school and university years and excelled at cricket and field hockey. He also became devoted to golf, a lifelong passion. He enjoyed becoming "The Commissioner" for the infamous Desert Masters golf group.

In May 1969, James graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Victoria, and married the love of his life, Louise Kennedy, also a teacher. With their two children, Michael and Sara, James and Louise moved around the province of BC, living and teaching in Williams Lake, Nakusp and Maple Ridge. James did post-graduate studies at Western Washington University in Bellingham. He moved into school administration becoming a respected and well-loved principal at a number of high schools, retiring from Westview Secondary after a long and distinguished career. He was known for his leadership, fairness, and sense of fun by many students and colleagues.

From the early days, James and Louise traveled the world. Some adventures were shared with good friends, and other wonderful friendships were forged along the way. They adored their five grandchildren, Grayson, Spencer, Emma, Alison and Ella, and enjoyed being doting grandparents. James had a lifelong love of aircraft, and after retirement he began sketching and painting. He became an avid member of the Garibaldi Art Club, and he also turned his hand to building classic aircraft-themed wind vanes such as Spitfires, Constellations, Mosquitos and DC3s.

He began collecting stamps when young, a hobby expanded by his father-in-law's keen interest, resulting in an impressive, wide-ranging collection. These activities all became favourite pastimes for him, particularly when he faced mobility challenges in later years.

James/Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of 50 years Louise in August 2019, and his brother Chris earlier this year. He will be greatly missed by his loving children Michael (Nicole) and Sara (Rene), his five grandchildren, his siblings Paul (Darlene) and Daphne (Ranald), sister-in-law Carol, nephews David (Gretchen) and Mark (Julee) and families, and his special caregiver and friend, Abby. He will be remembered fondly by many, many friends. James was the first to lend a hand to anyone who needed anything. He loved his family and his friends, and genuinely cared about others. His wit, curiosity and sense of humour will be greatly missed by all. A celebration of life will occur at a later date (notice to follow). Meanwhile, enjoy a martini in his honour. Flowers are gratefully declined. Please consider donating to the BC Cancer Foundation, The Justice Scholarship administered through the Ridge Meadows Education Foundation (rmef.ca) or a charity of your choice.



 You can follow my activities in much more detail on my web site - located here:
  http://www.rbogash.com/

or our Family activities in my Family section:
http://www.rbogash.com/Family.html

Copyright 2021 by Robert Bogash.  All Rights Reserved.