Subject: RNPA obituaries
There is an ongoing discussion about future postings of RNPA pilot
obituaries. For decades the RNPA group posted pilot specific
obituaries in the ‘Contrails’ publication and today continues doing so
on the RNPA website. These obituaries differ from the common
variety by focusing on events and happenings in the deceased pilot’s
life that would be of particular interest to fellow pilots. Not many
airline alumni groups do this anymore.
I have recently sought some assistance in this endeavor, but without
much success. Some recent personal health issues demanding my
attention, along with issues of aging, call my attention to the precious
time remaining.
As the Northwest Airlines era slips toward closure, several of us have
looked at other options for posting obituaries. Before going further, let
me share my own perspective on obituaries today. It appears to me
that public obituaries posted in newspapers and funeral homes are
more common to some parts of the country than others. I live in the
Pacific Northwest where funerals are being replaced with Celebrations
of Life. Classic funerals are a timely affair, not so with Celebrations of
Life. In some regions newspaper obituaries are no longer the norm.
Local newspapers are disappearing. Contrast that with cities and
towns in the Southeast USA where funerals and obituaries abound.
This has an impact on the practice of posting obituaries for retired
Delta/Northwest Airline pilots.
The Delta pilots have established a well-organized system that seeks
out death notices for Delta pilots and its merged affiliates. This search
for is accomplished by skilled specialists who search industry
websites, publications and major city newspapers for pilot postings.
The products of these searches are fed into the PCN Flight West
system. Our NWA pilots’ RNPA obituaries are posted on the PCNFlight West website today. May I suggest you look at their website at:
http://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/
The difference between the PCN system and RNPA postings is in the
character of the obituary. The RNPA obituary reports specific aspects
of the deceased pilot’s life thought to be of interest to airline
colleagues. Specific things such as aviation training, equipment flown
and bases assigned. Perhaps there is less emphasis on the relationships
of family members. Gary Ferguson and Vic Britt were masters at
writing these pilot obituaries.
RNPA leaders are pondering the future of the RNPA website and
when to discontinue postings on the website. Thereafter we will turn
the obituary task over to Delta’s PCN Flight West system. I suspect
this will be soon.
Some of you have sent me your obituary for future posting. It is my
intention to make sure your ‘pilot obituary’ is posted on the RNPA or
the PCN Flown West website. I certainly plan that for myself.
You have as much insight to offer about the future of the RNPA
website as I do. Thank you for pondering our future and the many
years (decades) of loyalty to the RNPA organization.
Bill Day
360-303-6020