For the attention of retired NWA Pilots and their families.
I am writing to inform you of forthcoming changes to the traditional
practices of postings of obituaries for retired NWA pilots. RNPA has
decided to phase out the group website late this year. This decision
reflects a close examination of recent use of the website. Almost all
the ‘hits’ today on the website are solely for obituaries. Most of the
retired pilots who do the yeoman’s work of writing and posting
obituaries are themselves well beyond normal life expectancy. That
speaks volumes. Perhaps societal values are changing in ways that
affect the willingness of family members to cooperate with the writing
of pilot obituaries for pilot audiences. What you will read in the future
will more resemble a traditional newspaper, funeral home, hometown
type obituary.
We will cease posting our pilot specific obituaries after June 15, 2025.
Those recently posted will remain available for viewing until late in
2025.
Yes of course, there are obituaries posted elsewhere for recently
deceased NWA/Delta pilots. NWA pilots obituaries will forthwith be
posted on the much-acclaimed PCN flight west website. In
anticipation of this changeover, I strongly recommend you review the
PCN flight west system using this link:
https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/
Carol Faulkner, a retired Delta agent, is a key player at PCN Flight
West. She serves as the website coordinator and is a master sleuth at
searching industry periodicals, magazines, and aviation publications
to glean timely information about the death of our colleagues. Many
of the death notices I have posted have come from contact information
from Carol.
Time is a key factor in the Delta Airline PCN system. I suspect the
country varies greatly regarding the continuance of traditional funeral
services. Where I reside in the Pacific Northwest the ‘Celebration of Life’
is becoming quite common. These events are often held several months after
the death of the pilot. However, if you reside in thesoutheastern part of
the country, you may witness a preference for traditional church and funeral
home services. These services are
sometimes only a few days after the passing of the deceased.
Therefore, death notices and timing become very important. As you
read the PCN Flight West postings take noof the ‘for community
and the family character’ of the obituaries.
After June 15 I will no longer be writing obituaries intended for pilot
readers. Those of you who have sent me an obituary for future use rest
assured that a duplicate of your obituary will have been passed onto
our friend Ruthie Dumas for her methodical computer storage. If all
goes as planned, when I close out my logbook for good, Ruthie will
have your key information and backup pilot email addresses.
There you have it – a plan.
Thank you all for being understanding. No doubt this is the end of an
era.
Please do me a favor and look at the PCN Flight West website. I have
even discovered the obituaries of former Air Force squadron mates
posted on that system. It is friendly turf.
Thank you for allowing me to fill a minor role in the great legacy of the
Red Tail NWA Aviators,
Bill Day
