Gerald "Bud" Bodding, One of Alaska's pioneer pilots passed away on the afternoon of May 6, 2006.
He was 88 years old.
Bud had the highest flight time in the Goose. He flew them from 1941 - through his retirement from Alaska Airlines in 1974. It was then, he earned the name "Father Goose"
After getting his pilot's license, he got his start as a pilot working for Shell Simmons' Alaska Air Transport in Juneau, Alaska in 1939. Bud also worked for Reeve Airways in Valdez, and Ellis Air Transport before joining the US Navy in December 1941. There he flew as an Admiral's pilot for the duration of the war in Alaska, mainly from Kodiak to the Aleutians. After the war, he started as chief pilot for Ellis Air Lines in Ketchikan, It was there that the Lion's share of his Goose time came in. Bud was Vice President of operations with Ellis Air Lines through the merger of Alaska Coastal Airlines in 1962, and through the Alaska Airlines buy out in 1967.
After his retirement in 1972, Bud ran a charter boat service with The "My Time" in Ketchikan, for about 11 years.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Betty in the late 90's. He is survived by two sons, Jim & Eric, and a daughter Sheila. He also had 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Bud was a good friend and will be missed by all the people that knew and respected him.
Bud Bodding in 1972 on retirement day at the Alaska Airlines Float
(Former Ellis Float) in Ketchikan. Bud Bodding Collection
