Paul Saastad
1939 ~ 2025
Captain Paul D. Saastad, age 85, died January 16, 2025, of natural causes near his home at Port Townsend, WA. Paul grew up in Earl, Wisconsin (near Spooner), raised by his mother. He was the youngest of four siblings. In addition to raising four children, Paul’s mother worked full-time at the town general store in Earl, WI.
Paul was a good academic student and athlete at his high school. In addition to playing football and baseball on the school team, Paul served as the milk man for the small town of Earl. In these years daily milk orders were delivered to the customer’s doorsteps.
After high school Paul attended Western Technical College in LaCross, WI. At the time two years of college were considered minimal to enter the military flight training programs. Having two years of college under his belt, Paul underwent extensive military testing and physical exams, Paul was deemed eligible for Air Force Aviation Cadet pilot training.
Paul enlisted in the Air Force and soon underwent preflight training at Lackland AFB, TX. This was immediately followed by Primary training at Spence AFB, at Moultrie, GA. Primary is when Paul really learned to fly. His initial solo was in the Cessna T-37 twin jet trainer – the ‘Tweet’. After Primary Paul was transferred to Reese AFB, at Lubbock, Texas for Advanced flight training. Paul arrived at Reese AFB as they were transitioning from the TB-25 multiengine trainer to the jet Lockheed T-33 - the Tee Bird.
Paul Saastad at Spence AFB. His status as an Aviation Cadet can be confirmed by his shiny flight boots.
Paul graduated from Reese AFB, pilot training class 61-F on March 17, 1961. The graduation program was a two-part ceremony. The first part was being commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve, the second part was the awarding of the well-earned silver Air Force wings. After graduation Paul packed up his gear and proceeded to Castle AFB in California for transition training to the KC-135 tanker aircraft.
Paul was now assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC). In a time, Paul’s KC-135 aircrew was deployed to Kadena AFB on Okinawa for the purpose of refueling aircraft over Southeast Asia. In one of those ironies that only an airline career can enable, Paul arose to a refueling event extraordinaire. In November 1964, not long after President Johnson made his famed ‘Gulf of Tonkin Incident’ speech, Paul was in position for midair refueling duty over the Gulf of Tonkin. He received a distress call from two USN F-8U’s in a low fuel critical situation. Without midair refueling, the two F-8s were likely to ditch in the Gulf of Tonkin. Paul immediately set these two aircraft up for a refueling intercept. The irony is that one of the two F-8U aircraft was flown by future NWA pilot Tom Klein. Also significant is the fact Paul would later become one NWA seniority number senior to the same Tom Klein, his refueling recipient. This essential midair refueling may have saved Tom's and his wing man’s life.
In the summer of 1966 Paul separated from the Regular Air Force and sought employment with Northwest Airlines. Northwest (NWA) would have been a familiar airline to a local fellow from Spooner, Wisconsin. At the same time Paul also acquired a slot with the Minnesota Air National Guard flying the C-97 and later the C-130.
Airline employment became a reality for both Paul Saastad on August 01, 1966. He followed a pilot career profile common to NWA pilots of his era. That profile for Paul began as second officer on the Boeing 727, then second officer on the 707 series, followed by an upgrade to first officer on the 727 and 707. Paul’s initial captain qualification was on the 727. Unfortunately, these were unstable times for the US airline industry and downgrades soon followed. In time Paul upgraded to captain on the 757 (everyone’s favorite) at Seattle (SEA), a captain slot on the DC-10 at MSP was to be Paul's first wide body assignment, and finally the highly desired upgrade to the Boeing 747 classic at MSP.
When seniority permitted Paul returned to home turf at Seattle as a 747 classic captain. Paul’s last pilot upgrade was to 747/400 captain at Detroit. In all, Paul’s professional life also included time spent as an aircraft and simulator instructor/check airman on most of the aircraft he flew with Northwest.
Mid-career Paul’s first marriage was dissolved. That marriage produced two children, Eric and Peter. Paul especially enjoyed the outdoor adventures with his sons.
In time Paul married a dear friend - Nina. The couple established a residence at Port Townsend, WA. Together they enjoyed the outdoors and spectacular Olympic Mountains.
Paul’s son Peter shares the following about his father, “My dad was a captain on the 747 for years. I know he took great pride in his position and loved what he did through the years. He has shared with me a lot of stories of where he’s been and the flying adventures that had taken place. My father was a great man and my best friend and a great dad. I’m a better person for him and very proud to say that Paul Saastad is in my dad.”
After Paul Saastad’s death notice was posted, I received many messages extolling Paul’s expertise as a pilot instructor. He had touched many lives with his encouraging mannerisms and leadership style.
(~Bill Day)