C. Lee Harshfield
April 29, 1929 - April 11, 2009
Obituary
Chancey Lee Harshfield, age 79, of Seattle, Washington, passed away in his sleep on April 11, 2009, at his home on Lake Union.
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Lee knew from his childhood days, that ‘all he wanted to do was fly’. After his Congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1953, Lee accepted a commission in the United States Air Force, and began an illustrious career as an aviator. Upon completion of USAF pilot training in 1954, he served 12 years in various assignments, rising to the rank of Captain, before retiring in 1965. His duties included assignment to a then classified aerial recovery program in the C-119, and acceptance pilot for the North American Aviation T-39 Sabreliner. While serving his country in the Air Force, Lee became proficient in both the T-33 and T-38 jet aircraft. During his assignment at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington D.C., Lee earned his Masters of Engineering Administration Degree from George Washington University.
Upon leaving the Air Force in 1965, Lee accepted a position as test pilot for NASA’s Gemini & Apollo space programs. While with NASA, Lee was responsible for maintaining the astronauts flying proficiency, conducting test projects, and airborne remote sensing research projects worldwide. Following his service at NASA, Lee spent six years in Saudi Arabia as a flight instructor for Saudi Arabian Airlines. Upon returning to the States, Lee accepted a position in Seattle, Washington with Boeing Aircraft Company, where he served six years as a flight crew instructor on the 757 & 767 aircraft. Following his retirement from Boeing in 1994, Lee continued as a part-time instructor with Flight Safety, Inc, and American Trans Air Airlines. His retirement years were highlighted by traveling the world with his beloved wife Marcia.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Peggy & Alan Rosen, step-son and daughter-in-law, Kimball & Robin Anderson, step-daughter, Kristin Jamerson, and six grandchildren. His sister & brother-in-law Afton & Tom Wilkinson, brother and sister-in-law Ray & Trudee Harshfield, brother Curtis Harshfield, brother and sister-in-law Vernon & Beth Harshfield, sister Maggie Harshfield, and his nieces and nephews. Memorial services were conducted with full military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery on April 15, 2009.
For those wishing, Memorials suggested to:
Memory of Chancey Lee Harshfield
Providence Hospice of Seattle
425 Pontius N., Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98109