Roy Dickson 1930s Alaska Bush Pilot
FIRST TIME PUBLISHED
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| MORE ALASKA BUSH PILOT INFORMATION page 5 |
FRANK POLLACK - Started flying career with Northern Air Transport flying out of Valdez,
Fairbanks &, Nome. In 1933 founded Pollack Flying Service in Fairbanks. Did contract flying for
Weather Bureau in 1935. Sold his flying service to Alaska Star Airlines in 1942 and became Alaska
Airlines operations manager in Fairbanks.
Fairbanks &, Nome. In 1933 founded Pollack Flying Service in Fairbanks. Did contract flying for
Weather Bureau in 1935. Sold his flying service to Alaska Star Airlines in 1942 and became Alaska
Airlines operations manager in Fairbanks.
ROBERT CAMPBELL "BOB" REEVE - Born March 27, 1902 Waunakee,
Wisconsin. After a stint in the Army, earned his commercial pilots license in 1928
and started flying air mail runs for Panagra, the Pan American subsidiary in South
America. In January 1932 Bob stowed away on a steamship bound for Alaska. In
Valdez, he repaired Owen Meals' Eaglerock biplane which Meals had crashed, then
leased the plane & started a charter business flying the Copper River area and
Interior. Bob left Valdez in early 40's, went to Fairbanks, then to Anchorage, where
he started making scheduled runs all the way down the Aleutian Chain. After a
series of mergers & acquisitions, in 1947 he founded Reeve Aleutian Airlines based
in Anchorage. He was president of the airlines. Bob retired from flying in 1948. In
1975 he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame; in 1980 the
International Aerospace Hall of Fame, & in 2005 the Alaska Aviation Heritage
Museum Hall of Fame. Bob died August 25, 1980 at Anchorage.
Wisconsin. After a stint in the Army, earned his commercial pilots license in 1928
and started flying air mail runs for Panagra, the Pan American subsidiary in South
America. In January 1932 Bob stowed away on a steamship bound for Alaska. In
Valdez, he repaired Owen Meals' Eaglerock biplane which Meals had crashed, then
leased the plane & started a charter business flying the Copper River area and
Interior. Bob left Valdez in early 40's, went to Fairbanks, then to Anchorage, where
he started making scheduled runs all the way down the Aleutian Chain. After a
series of mergers & acquisitions, in 1947 he founded Reeve Aleutian Airlines based
in Anchorage. He was president of the airlines. Bob retired from flying in 1948. In
1975 he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame; in 1980 the
International Aerospace Hall of Fame, & in 2005 the Alaska Aviation Heritage
Museum Hall of Fame. Bob died August 25, 1980 at Anchorage.
PAT RENAHAN - Flew for Alaska Washington Airways in Southeast Alaska. Was lost near Ketchikan
coming north to search for Canadian bush pilot E. J. Paddy Burke whose plane was lost in Northern
British Columbia with three on board in October 1930.
coming north to search for Canadian bush pilot E. J. Paddy Burke whose plane was lost in Northern
British Columbia with three on board in October 1930.
S.E. ROBBINS - Flew for Alaska Airways in 1930 and was one of the pilots who flew furs from the
trading ship Nanuck which was trapped in the ice off Siberia, helping to complete the Eielson contract
after he was lost. Then went with Pacific Alaska Airways. Landed on the glaciers of Mt. McKinley in
1932. Flew the first mail routes from Fairbanks to upper Yukon villages for Pacific Alaska Airways, and
in 1938 flew the first mail route from Fairbanks to Juneau. Transferred to San Francisco before WW II.
trading ship Nanuck which was trapped in the ice off Siberia, helping to complete the Eielson contract
after he was lost. Then went with Pacific Alaska Airways. Landed on the glaciers of Mt. McKinley in
1932. Flew the first mail routes from Fairbanks to upper Yukon villages for Pacific Alaska Airways, and
in 1938 flew the first mail route from Fairbanks to Juneau. Transferred to San Francisco before WW II.
VICTOR "VIC" ROSS - Born January 11, 1896. Was partner with Noel Wien when they formed
Northern Air Transport. He was president of the company and also flew out of Valdez, Fairbanks and
Nome. Was Noel Wien's co-pilot in 1935 when they flew the film of the Post/Rogers crash to Seattle, &
was again his co-pilot when they flew a Tri-motor Ford on the first Seattle-Fairbanks passenger flight.
Left Alaska before WW II. Retired in Bellingham, WA where he died in June 1975.
Northern Air Transport. He was president of the company and also flew out of Valdez, Fairbanks and
Nome. Was Noel Wien's co-pilot in 1935 when they flew the film of the Post/Rogers crash to Seattle, &
was again his co-pilot when they flew a Tri-motor Ford on the first Seattle-Fairbanks passenger flight.
Left Alaska before WW II. Retired in Bellingham, WA where he died in June 1975.
ALBERT F. "BERT" RUOFF - Born March 29, 1934. Started as mechanic-pilot for Bowman
Airways, Anchorage, then took over company to found Ruoff Air Service serving Anchorage to Bristol
Bay area. later named Bristol Bay Air Service. The Alaska Air Pilots' Association was formed in 1938
with Roy Dickson as first president and Burt Ruoff as Vice President. Sold out to Ray Petersen in 1943
& left Anchorage. Died in1950 at Seattle, WA.
Airways, Anchorage, then took over company to found Ruoff Air Service serving Anchorage to Bristol
Bay area. later named Bristol Bay Air Service. The Alaska Air Pilots' Association was formed in 1938
with Roy Dickson as first president and Burt Ruoff as Vice President. Sold out to Ray Petersen in 1943
& left Anchorage. Died in1950 at Seattle, WA.
CHARLES H. "CHARLEY" RUTTAN - Born Winnipeg, Manitoba. Along with
Steve Mills & Jack Waterworth bought a two place open cockpit Fleet biplane in
Glendale, CA in 1931. Shipped the plane to Alaska on the SS Yukon in the spring of
1932. They started Star Air Service in Anchorage with support from local investors.
Flew with Star Air Service & Star Airlines. Gave up flying regularly to take over
operations and management. Retired to Victoria, B.C., Canada where he died in 1994.
Steve Mills & Jack Waterworth bought a two place open cockpit Fleet biplane in
Glendale, CA in 1931. Shipped the plane to Alaska on the SS Yukon in the spring of
1932. They started Star Air Service in Anchorage with support from local investors.
Flew with Star Air Service & Star Airlines. Gave up flying regularly to take over
operations and management. Retired to Victoria, B.C., Canada where he died in 1994.
MURRELL SASSEEN - Born January 16, 1906. Learned to fly in San Bernardino,
CA. First flew in southeastern Alaska for Ketchikan Airways, then Alaska Southern
Airways out of Juneau. Came north and flew for McGee Airways and Star Air
Service in the mid 30's, then Mirow Air Service in Nome. Joined Air Corps in
WW II and flew in the Air Transport Command. Flew for Woodley Airways, then
employed by Alaska Coastal until he retired in Redmond, WA where he died in
May 1974.
CA. First flew in southeastern Alaska for Ketchikan Airways, then Alaska Southern
Airways out of Juneau. Came north and flew for McGee Airways and Star Air
Service in the mid 30's, then Mirow Air Service in Nome. Joined Air Corps in
WW II and flew in the Air Transport Command. Flew for Woodley Airways, then
employed by Alaska Coastal until he retired in Redmond, WA where he died in
May 1974.
RALPH W. SAVORY - Born in Santa Clara, CA area Oct 14, 1909. Learned to fly at Speed Johnson's
Flying School, San Mateo, CA in 1929. Ralph brought a Curtis Thrush to Anchorage in 1935. Flew
independently out of Anchorage, then for Star Air Service. The Alaska Air Pilots' Association was
formed in 1938 with Roy Dickson as first president, Burt Ruoff as Vice President and Ralph Savory as
Secretary. Went to Pacific Alaska Airways in 1939, flew Fairbanks - Juneau route. Became PAA Chief
Pilot. In October 1957 Captained a Pan Am Clipper on a charter flight from San Francisco to McMurdo
Sound, Antarctica via Fiji, Australia & New Zealand returning via London, making an around the
world flight. Later became Pan American's West Coast Chief Pilot. Died Jan 18, 2010 in California.
Flying School, San Mateo, CA in 1929. Ralph brought a Curtis Thrush to Anchorage in 1935. Flew
independently out of Anchorage, then for Star Air Service. The Alaska Air Pilots' Association was
formed in 1938 with Roy Dickson as first president, Burt Ruoff as Vice President and Ralph Savory as
Secretary. Went to Pacific Alaska Airways in 1939, flew Fairbanks - Juneau route. Became PAA Chief
Pilot. In October 1957 Captained a Pan Am Clipper on a charter flight from San Francisco to McMurdo
Sound, Antarctica via Fiji, Australia & New Zealand returning via London, making an around the
world flight. Later became Pan American's West Coast Chief Pilot. Died Jan 18, 2010 in California.
GEORGE S. "TONY" SCHWAMM - Born August 31, 1902 in California. Was a Hollywood stunt flyer
starring in Howard Hughes' "Hells Angels." Came to Petersburg, Alaska in 1937 & founded Petersburg
Air Service, flying into Juneau. In Naval Reserve during WW II as Lt. Commander. Moved to
Anchorage in 1949 as first Director of Aviation for the Territory. Was a delegate to 1956 Democratic
National Convention. Became manager of Anchorage International Airport and was Anchorage
Postmaster in 1963. Died of natural causes in Alaska in February, 1966.
starring in Howard Hughes' "Hells Angels." Came to Petersburg, Alaska in 1937 & founded Petersburg
Air Service, flying into Juneau. In Naval Reserve during WW II as Lt. Commander. Moved to
Anchorage in 1949 as first Director of Aviation for the Territory. Was a delegate to 1956 Democratic
National Convention. Became manager of Anchorage International Airport and was Anchorage
Postmaster in 1963. Died of natural causes in Alaska in February, 1966.
CLAYTON L. "SCOTTY" SCOTT - Born July 15, 1905 at Coudersport, PA.
Soloed Feb 25, 1927 in a Waco 9. In May 1929 while flying for Gorst Air Transport
in southeast Alaska, flew an amphibious plane from Juneau to Cordova, the first
commercial crossing of the Gulf of Alaska. Went to Seattle in the early 30s and
became Bill Boeing's personal pilot. Was chief production test pilot for Boeing from
1940-1966. In 2005 the Renton Municipal Airort was renamed Clayton Scott Field.
He kept his pilots license active for 79 year. Died September 28, 2006 at Mercer
Island, WA at age 101.
Soloed Feb 25, 1927 in a Waco 9. In May 1929 while flying for Gorst Air Transport
in southeast Alaska, flew an amphibious plane from Juneau to Cordova, the first
commercial crossing of the Gulf of Alaska. Went to Seattle in the early 30s and
became Bill Boeing's personal pilot. Was chief production test pilot for Boeing from
1940-1966. In 2005 the Renton Municipal Airort was renamed Clayton Scott Field.
He kept his pilots license active for 79 year. Died September 28, 2006 at Mercer
Island, WA at age 101.
SHELDON B. "SHELL" SIMMONS - Born October 8, 1908 in Clearwater Co., Idaho,
reared in Grandview, WA. In 1925 went to Alaska as an electrician at the Alaska-Juneau
Mine. In 1929 went to Yakima, WA & learned to fly at a flying school run by John L.
Seawall, a WW I pilot. Went back to southeast Alaska and after several failed attempts
at air service involving the only Curtiss Jennie on floats and an open-cockpit
Aero-Marine Klem, started Alaska Air Transport in 1935, joined with Alex Holden's
Marine Airways in 1939 to form Alaska Coastal Airlines, which joined with Ellis Airlines
in 1965 for form Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines, which became part of Alaska Airlines in
1968. Shell became a Director Emeritus of Alaska Airlines in 1981. He died Nov 16, 1994
in Juneau.
reared in Grandview, WA. In 1925 went to Alaska as an electrician at the Alaska-Juneau
Mine. In 1929 went to Yakima, WA & learned to fly at a flying school run by John L.
Seawall, a WW I pilot. Went back to southeast Alaska and after several failed attempts
at air service involving the only Curtiss Jennie on floats and an open-cockpit
Aero-Marine Klem, started Alaska Air Transport in 1935, joined with Alex Holden's
Marine Airways in 1939 to form Alaska Coastal Airlines, which joined with Ellis Airlines
in 1965 for form Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines, which became part of Alaska Airlines in
1968. Shell became a Director Emeritus of Alaska Airlines in 1981. He died Nov 16, 1994
in Juneau.
MURRAY STUART - Flew a Boeing flying boat in Southeast Alaska in the early 30s with Gorst Air
Transport until it was sold to Pacific Alaska Airways. Then became one of Pan American's top pilots.
Brought first jet into Anchorage International Airport. Died of natural causes.
Transport until it was sold to Pacific Alaska Airways. Then became one of Pan American's top pilots.
Brought first jet into Anchorage International Airport. Died of natural causes.
MERLE K. "MUDHOLE" SMITH - Born September 22, 1907 in Kansas. Learned to fly
in 1928 & barnstormed in the midwest. "Kirk" Kirkpatrick brought him to Alaska in 1937
to fly for Cordova Air Service. Bob Reeve observed his plane nosed over in a mud hole &
gave him his nickname. Became president of Cordova Air Service after Kirkpatrick was
killed in a 1939 crash. In 1952 merged with Christensen Air Service to become Cordova
Airlines which merged with Alaska Airlines in 1968. "Mudhole" was a vice-president &
director of Alaska Airlines until 1973. He was inducted into the OX5 Aviation Pioneers
Hall of Fame & the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum Hall of Fame. He died June 16, 1981
at Cordova. The Cordova Airport is named Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport.
in 1928 & barnstormed in the midwest. "Kirk" Kirkpatrick brought him to Alaska in 1937
to fly for Cordova Air Service. Bob Reeve observed his plane nosed over in a mud hole &
gave him his nickname. Became president of Cordova Air Service after Kirkpatrick was
killed in a 1939 crash. In 1952 merged with Christensen Air Service to become Cordova
Airlines which merged with Alaska Airlines in 1968. "Mudhole" was a vice-president &
director of Alaska Airlines until 1973. He was inducted into the OX5 Aviation Pioneers
Hall of Fame & the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum Hall of Fame. He died June 16, 1981
at Cordova. The Cordova Airport is named Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport.
A.J. VALLEY - Was an instructor for Steve Mills at Star Air Service in Anchorage. Later flew for
Goodnews Bay Mining Co. Left Alaska at beginning of WW II.
Goodnews Bay Mining Co. Left Alaska at beginning of WW II.
DAN VICTOR - Born September 27, 1901. Flew for McGee and Star Air Service in mid-1930's. Later
went to work for CAA and died in a crash in November, 1942 between Nulato and Unalakleet in the
Interior.
went to work for CAA and died in a crash in November, 1942 between Nulato and Unalakleet in the
Interior.
RAYMOND INGVARD "RAY" PETERSEN - Born in
York, Nebraska in 1912 & raised on a Wyoming ranch before
moving with his family to Chicago. Earned his commercial
pilots license in 1930. Came to Anchorage April 1, 1934 &
began flying for Star Air Service, then moved to Bethel to fly
for Marsh Airways. Partnered with Johnny Littley in 1935 to
form Bethel Airways which went out of business in 1936 after
both its planes crashed. In 1937 Ray formed Ray Petersen
Flying Service in Bethel, which became part of Northern
Consolidated Airlines through a series of mergers &
acquisitions. Ray became president & CEO and continued as
Chairman of Wien Consolidated Airlines after another merger
with Wien Alaska Airlines. After retiring from aviation in
1979, Ray & his son operated a group of fishing lodges in
Katmai National Park. Ray died in Anchorage Aug 12, 2008
at age 96.
York, Nebraska in 1912 & raised on a Wyoming ranch before
moving with his family to Chicago. Earned his commercial
pilots license in 1930. Came to Anchorage April 1, 1934 &
began flying for Star Air Service, then moved to Bethel to fly
for Marsh Airways. Partnered with Johnny Littley in 1935 to
form Bethel Airways which went out of business in 1936 after
both its planes crashed. In 1937 Ray formed Ray Petersen
Flying Service in Bethel, which became part of Northern
Consolidated Airlines through a series of mergers &
acquisitions. Ray became president & CEO and continued as
Chairman of Wien Consolidated Airlines after another merger
with Wien Alaska Airlines. After retiring from aviation in
1979, Ray & his son operated a group of fishing lodges in
Katmai National Park. Ray died in Anchorage Aug 12, 2008
at age 96.
