Alumni Events 2016
** Alumni Events 2016 **
2016 San Francisco Bay Area Christmas Luncheon
Dick Kalman reports the SFO Bay Area Christmas Luncheon at Harry’s Hofbrau in San Leandro was a great time with a few “old friends”. Enjoy the Slide Show….
2016 WOA Oakland Reunion Report
November 15, 2016
Dear Members of our World Airways Family, All is great here in the Oakland Bay Area. The Raiders are winning, the Warriors are winning, and thanks to one hundred and ten of our World Family we had a winning World Airways Reunion. We had about seventy-five at the get together party on September 30th and one hundred-ten at the banquet on October 1st. Those of you who have attended the Oakland Reunions in the past know the ones that always make it happen. Again this year we had Aimee, Dick, Ford, Nancy, Yolanda and of course our website master Larry to thank for making it happen. We had hoped for a larger attendance but since our last World Airways flight chocked in and shutdown the engines for the last time nearly three years ago many of our family have spread across the nation and world to continue their careers. Sadly, since our company’s last flight we have also had thirty-seven of World Airways family members take their “Last Flight” and there are probably more which we are not aware of and haven’t had the opportunity to honor on our website.
Over the years our reunion attendance has declined from three or four hundred to one hundred sixty in 2014, and down to one hundred ten in 2016. Lyman Hitch has repeatedly covered the odd years with a fabulous get together in Las Vegas and kept the cost down with very reasonable hotel prices. We have made every effort in both Oakland and Las Vegas to .keeping the individual attendees cost at $60.00 for the reunion and to date have. However, in 2014 the cost exceeded the revenue and Tim Garvin covered the shortage. This was experienced again in 2016 and the shortages have been covered. Those that have been involved over the years have met recently and discussed several options to keep the reunions alive and the family together.
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A Tribute to Ron Winiker
“I had the pleasure of joining with many of Ron Winiker’s neighbors and longtime friends at his favorite hangout on the Santa Cruz Wharf this afternoon to celebrate his life and his great friendship. Mr. and Mrs. Mack Hamilton, who emailed many of us of Ron’s passing and wrote his obituary, hosted this wonderful get together by displaying dozens of beautiful pictures and videos Ron had taken during his world travels. Ron was a loyal member of the World Airways Family and regularly attended our World luncheons every six months. He will be missed but not forgotten. I took pictures of four of the pictures displayed and think everyone will enjoy them.”
Warren Vest
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World Airways 2016 “Oakland” Reunion
Warren Vest was the man behind the 2016 Oakland Reunion held on the weekend of September 30. at the Holiday Inn Oakland Airport Hotel. Warren did a fantastic job of planning and coordinating all of the activities for the entire weekend. We owe him our thanks for “Making It Happen”. Enjoy the slide shows below ……. and if you couldn’t make this reunion, make your plans now to attend the 2017 Las Vegas Reunion. The “Crew Party” held on Friday evening was a huge success. There was plenty of conversation and lots of “stories” to tell along with the consumption of “adult beverages” for everyone to enjoy. During the evening Ford Larsen presented Tim Garvin a plaque in thanks for his role in making the 2014 Oakland Reunion a success.
The “Crew Party”
The Museum Tour
On Saturday several of those in attendance visited the Oakland Air Museum to see the World Airways Display and meet the museum staff. They heard the plans for the future of the museum and provided inputs to help make the museum even better than it is today.
The Reunion Banquet
Saturday evening the Reunion Banquet featured great food, more conversation, and plenty of photo opportunities. During the evening Lyman Hitch was recognized for his outstanding work on the Las Vegas reunions and Yolanda Vega provided a presentation honoring those World Alumni who have taken their “Final Flight” since our 2014 Reunion.
The “2016 Oakland Reunion” was a huge success.
Photos Provided by Nancy Peppin, Lonise Larbig, Clinton Strowder, Larry Coubrough, and Dick Kalman
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A Bit of Nostalgia ….
Those of You Who Were Around During “Scheduled Service” …… It’s Been 30 Years …..
But This Toy was Purchased Just in the Last Few Months …….. In London.
It’s a little hard to read the sign on the bus due to the photo, but it says …
“I Wish I Was Flying World Airways to the USA!”
Photo Courtesy of Warren Vest
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A TRIBUTE TO PETER VILLANO
Produced by Nancy Peppin
On July 8, 2016, the World Family gathered to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Captain Peter Villano.
Click Here
Veronica & Peter Villano
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Hollis Loyd Harris
July 14, 2016
President of World Airways from 1999 – 2004, and a resident of Peachtree City, GA, passed away July 14, 2016 at the age of 84.
The family will receive friends Sunday, July 17 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at C.J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, 200 Robinson Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269 Ph. (770)487-3959 www.mowellfuneralhome.com
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Peachtree City First Presbyterian Church, 206 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269 www.firstpresptc.org . Rev. Don Smith and Rev. Morgan Hay will officiate.
Burial at Westminster Memorial Gardens will be held at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Piedmont Fayette Cancer Wellness in honor of Hollis Harris, 2001 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Obituary is now on “The Final Flight” Page. <Click Here>
Carl J Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City
Mr. Hollis Harris served as President and COO of Delta Air Lines (1987-1990) and Chairman, President, and CEO of Continental Airlines (1990-1991), Air Canada (1992-1996), and World Airways (1999-2004). He was a wonderful individual, a true leader and earned the respect from so many. Wishing him and his family peace during this difficult time.
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Tom Borders
June 23, 2016
Captain Tom Borders departed on his last flight at 10:00 am this morning, June 23, 2016. Services are pending. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with his family at this difficult time. More information will be provided when it is available.
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San Francisco Bay Area Luncheon
June 11, 2016
On Saturday, June 11, the San Francisco Bay Area Luncheon was held at Harry’s Hofbrau in San Leandro.
Dick Kalman has provided photos of those attending the event.
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“Margie’s 80th Birthday Party”
On Saturday, May 28, Aimee Johnson hosted a party at her home in Maraga, CA, to celebrate Margie Sikes 80th birthday.
Dick and Branka Kalman provided the photos.
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FALSE ALARM
NO MATTER WHAT YOU’VE HEARD … OR READ BEFORE
The story that fire destroyed Baseler Eck was a cruel and unusual hoax, a false alarm. Baseler Eck is alive, well, and open for business. The following from a first-hand eye witness …someone who ate there today:
“Alles gut! (All good!)
Eating at the Gas Station (Baseler Eck is adjacent to gas station) right now.
No fire, Gerd looks great. Even open on Sunday oddly enough.”
Please accept my sincere and profound apologies for sending a false story. I believed, in all honesty, that source was sending reliable information. As it turned out, several email recipients could not verify the story through sources in Frankfurt; therefore, I most humbly send this email of retraction after establishing the facts.
So…when at FRA on at trip or holidays, dine at Baseler Eck. I highly recommend schweinshaxe mit sauerkrauten, ein Bier bitter, apfelstrudel, und schnaps. Many crewmembers from various airlines have great memories of dining there and befriending Gerd, the owner.
Prost !
Merv Bailey
CBS 60 MINUTES “GOLD STAR PARENTS”
Yolanda Vega, a member of the World Airways Family who lost her Son Jonathan to an IED in Afghanistan while serving in the U. S. Air Force, was featured in a segment of “60 Minutes” on April 24, 2016, recognizing “Gold Star Families”, an organization dedicated to supporting those who have lost children in combat.
Here is a link to the “60 Minutes” Script featuring Yolanda with Scott Pelly ….
CLICK HERE
Francesco’s Restaurant
From Dick Kalman
Today March 29,2016, Captain Warren Vest, his wife Ingrid, Aimee Johnson. Gerda Mueller, William Hardenstine and Dick Kalman went to lunch at Francesco’s Restaurant on Hegenberger Road in Oakland for the last time as the restaurant closes forever Thursday. A toast was made for the fond memories we had there over the many years and also in Captain Ken Healy’s memory as he also frequented this famous Oakland Airport land mark. I took pictures of some of the photos on the hallway walls and posted them below. They each catch a memorable moment in World history.
Here is some history about Francesco’s Restaurant: Francesco’s Restaurant opened its doors in September of 1968. Over the years, Francesco’s has established many friends and loyal customers who come for the good food and friendly atmosphere. Josephine Bargiacchi, affectionately known as Mama Bargiacchi, the founder of the North Pole Club and the Villa de la Paix in Oakland, inspired her family by her own example of hard work, culinary ability, and business acumen. Prior to establishing Francesco’s, Dewey, Mama’s son, opened the successful Chandelier in Jack London Square. One of the few family-owned restaurants to survive in a highly competitive industry, Francesco’s is currently run by third generation Theresa Erwin and Chef Mike Erwin. Francesco’s credits its success over the years to a high quality and dedicated staff, many who have been with the restaurant for over 20 years and a few with over 30 years of service. Francesco’s prides itself on providing consistently excellent food, quality service, and hands-on management.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY
Today, March 9th, 2016, fifty former World Airways employees and family members joined with Captain Kenneth Healy to celebrate his 100th birthday. Captain Healy who retired from World Airways as Vice President of Flight Operations in 1983 shared this celebration with scores of employees that had each served between forty and fifty years with World Airways. Guests came from Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho and Texas to honor this beloved leader. A large number of the attendees were members of the Flight Operation Department which Ken headed up. We also had a great number of our lovely lady Flight Attendants and Bill Addy from the Inflight Service Department. Flight Attendant Atsuko “Kubo” Schlesinger who was a member of Captain Healy’s crew on the famous “Last Flight out of Da Nang” came from Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, in order to help celebrate Ken’s birthday. Additionally, we had individuals from Administration, Executive, Finance, Maintenance & Engineering and Sales & Marketing there to celebrate this occasion and honor Ken’s service and leadership to our company.
Captain Healy joined World in the early part of the 1960s and was one of the pioneers who ushered our company into the jet age with the new long range Boeing 707. He went on to lead us in the introduction of the B-727, DC-8, 747 and the DC-10-30. Each of these introductions were milestones in the history of our company but passed into history as each airplane type was retired from the fleet. The one thing that was never retired from our company was the “Standard of Excellence” Captain Healy demanded of each and every cockpit crewmember. He instilled that quality into the people he chose to teach and train the future generations that kept World Airways alive for more than three decades after his retirement. Many of the younger crewmembers that joined World after 1983 never had the opportunity to meet Captain Healy but they continued to be exposed to the high standard he set before some of them were even born. Fortunately, this younger generation adopted these standards and kept World Airways alive until the greed of a few individuals and venture capitalists overcame the standard of professionalism the employees continued to the very end in their effort to keep the company alive.
The standards that were set by Captain Healy more than 50 years ago made it possible for a large number of our crewmembers, upon the demise of World in 2014, to be hired as Captains directly into several of today’s leading world airlines.
Therefore, a tribute to the “Standard of Excellence” that Captain Healy demanded and the employees of World Airways strived for, lives on around the globe as he turns 100 years young. Our thanks and appreciation go out to him on this day.
Happy Birthday Ken….
Captain Ken Healy’s Family Has Chosen to Conduct a Private Family Only Service to Honor and Celebrate His Life.