Dedicated in memory of:
         "Father Goose"
     Gerald "Bud" Bodding
August 17, 1917 - May 6, 2006
   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
Bud standing on top.    From Bud Bodding Collection
Bud standing on top.    From Bud Bodding Collection
Alaska Coastal-Ellis Photo
Bud standing at hatch    From Bud Bodding Collection
Alaska Air Transport NC47M "Nugget      Mike Machat Painting
Bud Bodding in 1940      Bud Bodding Collection Photo
Bud Bodding circa 1960's     Bud Bodding Collection Photo
Bud Bodding and Shell Simmons in 1970
Bud Bodding Collection Photo
Bud Bodding in 2005
at the Tongass Historical Museum in Ketchikan
Sitnews.us Photo
All rights reserved