AVIATIONLEGENDS MAGAZINE 2014 AVIATOR LEGENDS Stories of extraordinary adventure from this year’s thirteen honorees. A special publication of BE A SPONSOR ! Over 200,000 Attendees — 28% of State! Arctic Thunder — Still the Largest Single Event in Alaska ! Thanks to all Past Sponsors Be Part of it! Alaska Air Show Association an Alaska 501(c) 3 Non-profit All Donations Tax Deductible — AASA Mission — Provide Aviation Education, Inspiration, and Advocacy AASA Provides Scholarships Space Camps, UAA Pilot Training AASA is Civilian Partner to JBER Supporting Arctic Thunder AASA supports Air Events Statewide Arctic Thunder 2016 Starts Now! — Be a Sponsor — Receive Statewide Print, Radio, Internet and TV Exposure plus Day of the Event Seating and pre- and post-event recognition Email :
[email protected] Want to Help Advance Aviation? — Join our all Volunteer Board Contents Lake Hood, Photo by Rob Stapleton 5 EDITOR’S LETTER 16 WIllIAM “BIll” DIEHL 36 RON SHEARDOWN Aviation Pioneers Aircraft Manufacturer Polar Adventurer and Rescue Legend 7 WALT AUDI 20 GARLAND DOBSON 40 WARREN THOMPSON Pilot of the Far North Dedicated Serviceman and Pilot Rescue Mission Legend and Teacher 11 ALBERT BAll, SR. 24 JOYCE GAlleHER 43 NOel MERRIll WIEN This year’s Alaska Aviation Legend program Life of Adventure in Rural Alaska Diversified and Experienced Pilot is dedicated to Albert Ball, Sr. and his adventurous spirit. 28 ROYCE MORGAN 47 KENNETH GENE ZERKel Airline Entrepreneur and Doctor Experienced Pilot and Aviation 12 DICK AND LAVelle BETZ Entrepreneur Longtime Alaska Guides 32 PAUL SHANAHAN True Alaskan Bush Pilot 4 EDITOR’S Letter Aviation Pioneers BY ROB STAPLETON n your hands is documentation of hun- abbreviations.