Frederick William Zimmerly
October 10, 1910 - May 13, 2005
Obituary
Fred Zimmerly
Born 10/10/10, died 05/13/05. Fred was a longtime resident of the Lakeridge neighborhood near Renton, WA. He was born on a farm in the Pioneer area of Ridgefield, WA. He learned to fly and soloed in 1928 prior to graduating from Ridgefield High School. Fred barnstormed around WA and OR, and from 1930 to 1934 he operated a flying school and charter service based in Kellogg, ID. In 1934 he moved to Lewiston ID and with his brother Bert Sr., formed Zimmerly Bros. Air Transport. They hopped passengers at rodeos and fairs, hauled freight to mine sites, chartered hunting and fishing trips into primitive areas of Idaho and did extensive flying for the Forest Service.
Fred’s goal was to become a commercial airline pilot and in 1938 Northwest Airlines hired him. After six months in Spokane, he was transferred to their Seattle base. During World War II Northwest was contracted to the Army Air Transport Command and Fred flew many trips into Canada and Alaska in support of the building of the Alcan Highway and other projects. In 1952 he accepted the position of Check and Training Pilot. In 1955 he was appointed Chief Pilot for the Western Region for Northwest. In 1960 when Northwest acquired jet aircraft, Fred returned to scheduled flying, primarily on routes to Hawaii and the Orient. He retired in 1970, his last flight as a captain of a Boeing 707-320 on a flight from Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam to McChord AFB ferrying soldiers home from the Vietnam War. He always felt very fortunate that his career as a pilot, a job he loved so much, spanned the airplane age from the Jenny’s to the Jets.
Fred’s hobbies included woodworking, fishing, golfing and helping his brothers with work on their farms. Summertime barbeques and Christmas Eve celebrations with family and friends will always be remembered.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, four brothers and one sister. He is survived by: daughter, Janice Parks, three grandchildren, Thomas Parks Christine, Jeannine Kelly Tim, Randall Parks Kirsten, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was a member of the Northwest Retired Pilots Association, Quiet Birdmen, OX5 Aviation Pioneers, Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star.
A memorial reception will be held on Thursday June 16, 2005 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Foundation House, his current residence, 32290 1st Ave South, Federal Way, WA. In lieu of flowers donations to the American Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Private interment has taken place at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 206 242-1787.
Fred was one of my heroes. I remember him coming to our house when he worked with my father Ed,Sr.. I’m so glad I was able to visit with him these last months at Foundation House.
We have lost a true aviation pioneer. He was an early inspiration to me in my aviation career. Godspeed.
Our Grandpa was a man of few words but when he spoke we all listened. He was charming, generous, humble, and fondly spoken of by all who knew him. He had a little twinkle in his eye and often parted little words of wisdom that made us all smile. He was always there to lend a hand or provide monetary help when it was needed, necessary or just because he wanted to. He was an unbelievable provider for his family in every way you can think of or imagine. Several options in our lives would not have come to pass without the love and support of our grandpa Fred. We all love him very much and he will forever be missed but he will always be in our hearts. We love you Grandpa,
Love Jeannie, Tim, Erin and Ethan