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Dad would first describe himself as a pilot, from the first time he saw planes over the farm in Kent, Washington until his death. He told his caregiver he was getting ready for a flight and he had to do this one alone. Dad logged over 40,000 hours in many different planes both in the Navy and for NWA; he made Captain in both. Retirement was mandatory at age 60, so he started a glider business, Soar Hawaii, at Dillingham Field and drove the entire diagonal of the island almost every day to fly either a Grob glider or the taildragger tow plane. He flew another 20 plus years after "retirement". Dad shared his love of flying with many students, signing their first solos, and thrilling many others with acrobatic stunts in the glider. He flew his last solo into the heavens on the 29th of April, 2021 in Honolulu. His children, Susan Marie (Udd) McKellar and Thomas Edward Udd and his step- children, Karen Bushaw and S. Kawika McNeely were given a great gift in his life and legacy. His ashes will be inurned with military honors at the National Cemetery of the Pacific alongside his late wife, Sarina Fusako Udd, on August 1st at 11:30am.
Dad would first describe himself as a pilot, from the first time he saw planes over the farm in Kent, Washington until his death. He told his caregiver he was getting ready for a flight and he had to do this one alone. Dad logged over 40,000 hours in many different planes both in the Navy and for NWA; he made Captain in both. Retirement was mandatory at age 60, so he started a glider business, Soar Hawaii, at Dillingham Field and drove the entire diagonal of the island almost every day to fly either a Grob glider or the taildragger tow plane. He flew another 20 plus years after "retirement". Dad shared his love of flying with many students, signing their first solos, and thrilling many others with acrobatic stunts in the glider. He flew his last solo into the heavens on the 29th of April, 2021 in Honolulu. His children, Susan Marie (Udd) McKellar and Thomas Edward Udd and his step- children, Karen Bushaw and S. Kawika McNeely were given a great gift in his life and legacy. His ashes will be inurned with military honors at the National Cemetery of the Pacific alongside his late wife, Sarina Fusako Udd, on August 1st at 11:30am.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
