There goes another great one - My Grandfather passed away last week

[Aircooled]

My Grandfather passed away last week. I'm still in awe of his career. Like a lot of people from the "greatest generation" he left a big mark on this world.

An abbreviated version of his resume, best as I can piece it together:

Willis L. Cole, Jr., 8/17/1923 - 5/13/2012

Graduated from Curtiss-Wright Technical Institute (located at the old Glendale, CA airport) in 1942
USAAF, Dayton, OH, 1942 - 1946
Boeing Aircraft, Wichita, KS, 1946-1947
McDonnell Aircraft 1948 - 1965: F3H Demon, F-101 Voodoo, F-4 Phantom II, Model 119/220 business jet, XV-1 Convertiplane, XH-20 Little Henry, Model 79 Big Henry, Mercury space capsule.
Bell Helicopter 1966 - 1983: 206 JetRanger, SeaRanger, LongRanger, AH-1 Cobra, King Cobra, Super Cobra
Comercial models 212, 214, 222, 412, and the one with the most significant impact, the XV-15.

I can't imagine an engineering career that spans such huge technical advancements.

Thanks for listening,
Steve Cole

Below is a picture of him in the McDonnell XV-1

[Barry Donovan]

army air force..pioneer into a new realm.

I went that route for aircraft mechanic.

may he rest in peace.

[Rocketman]

Condolences to you and your family

[TheSilverBuick]

I remember another thread you were talking about him and what he's done. Way impressive and R.I.P.

[BluLightning]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

[SpiderGearsMan]

may he rest in peace

[70chevyC-10]

R.I.P. - that was one heck of an era and one heck of a resume too.

[ls7gto]

God speed ,Willis L. Cole, Jr., God speed.

[Brian Lohnes]

Amazing! That is a list for the ages. I think about my grand dAd every day and it makes me smile. I bet the man upstairs has him on a bad ass project already!