John Amundsen
November 22, 1911 - May 15, 1985

John Amundsen
John Amundsen, born in Bulyea, Saskatchewan (Canada) became a naturalized US citizen, moving to the Seattle area. He met his beloved Lillian at Emmanuel Tabernacle near Woodland Park and they married in 1935.

Johnnie always had a love for aviation. He learned to fly and took these skills to Alaska where he was a pioneer bush pilot in south central and southeast Alaska. Eventually, he was hired by Pan American World Airways. During World War II the US Navy took over much of Pan Am's Pacific operation, granting him a reserve commission as a Lieutenant Commander. He was stationed in various places in his early years with Pan Am, including Fairbanks, Seattle, San Francisco, Miami and New York. Eventually, he and Lillian settled back in Seattle, flying out of Seattle Tacoma International Airport for the rest of his career. His routes included Alaska, Hawaii, Tokyo and London. He had logged well over 27,000 hours, concluding as a captain on the Boeing 707.

After his retirement, Johnnie took up the hobby of Ham radio, quickly studying his way to the Advanced Class license. Radio gave him much pleasure in talking with his brother Roald in Alaska and many other people, near and far. Though he loved aviation, he always enjoyed a good road trip. He loved his family and grandchildren. He was active in his church and had a beautiful bass voice.

He is remembered for his pioneering aviation, wonderful sense of wit and humor, and ability as a great story teller.

He was survived by his wife Lillian (d. 2001) and his children David, Marlene, Dale and Dan.

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