Our Association History

In the early 1970’s the original pilots who help founded the Flying Tiger Line were approaching the required retirement age of 60. The concept of an association for these retired pilots was the idea of Captain John “Dick” Rossi, legendary ace of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) during World War II, and one of the original investors in Bob Prescott’s fledgling all cargo airline, National Skyways, in 1945.

In 1974 Dick Rossi and his wife, Lydia, invited a number of such retired pilots to their home and began working on the framework for an association that would carry on the legacy and spirit of the Flying Tiger Line, including our airline’s historic roots from within the AVG. Rossi, not really wanting an officer position, was nevertheless elected the very first president of what was then call the Flying Tiger Line Retired Pilots Association (FTLRPA). Herb Wall was elected Vice President, Bob Conrath was elected Treasurer, and Jim Bledsoe was elected Secretary. These other officers were all legendary pilots in their own rights during the war and had been with the airline since the beginning as well.

In 1990 the current FTLRPA President, Lamont “Shad” Shadowens, realized the enormous amount of work that was becoming involved in planning the yearly reunions and enlisted the professional services of Mrs. Sandra White. She has been with us ever since for the past 30 years and is our Meeting Planner for Life.

In 1995 the “R” was dropped from our group’s name and all actively employed cockpit crewmembers were invited to join, regardless of age or employment status at the company. Everyone involved shortly thereafter recognized that ALL former employees of FTL comprised our collective family and the bylaws were subsequently changed one more time to all any and all FTL employees, active or retired, to join as Associate Members. Former flight attendants, managers, ramp personnel, crew planners, mechanics, and sales persons have since become a valued part of our membership.

There is no other association of former legacy carriers that reunites as FTLPA does each year. In addition, we continue as an informational source for many family members of those who have Flown West, as well as for those interested in the history of FTL.

The Tiger Spirit, the camaraderie that we embrace, and the fond memories we share as employees of Flying Tigers live on because of the genius of the original founders and the dedication of the officers of this association that followed.   Nothing, however, will surpass the enthusiasm of our membership who come and enjoy our yearly reunions and remain engaged with one another. These are the real reasons for the success of FTLPA and will undoubtably keep us flying high for many years to come.

The chart below lists officers for each year and the location of the reunion.

Year	Venue	President	VP	Treasurer	Secretary	Notes - F/A Rep
1974	Rossi Home	1st Meeting at Rossi home	H.J. Wall	Bob Conrath	Jim Bledsoe	Officers are elected and By-Laws constructed
1975	Los Angeles	Dick Rossi	H.J. Wall	Bob Conrath	Jim Bledsoe
1976	Los Angeles	Dick Rossi	H.J. Wall	Bob Conrath	Jim Bledsoe
1977	San Mateo (SFO)	Dick Rossi	H.J. Wall	Bob Conrath	Jim Bledsoe
1978	Honolulu - Reef Hotel	Dick Rossi		Bob Conrath
1979	Mazatlan	Rex Tripp	Tom Cotton	Bob Conrath	Don Hassig
1980		Tom Cotton
1981	San Diego, Catamaran	Tom Cotton		Bob Conrath	Don Hassig
1982		Stu McMahon	Don Hassig	Bob Conrath
1983		Stu McMahon	Don Hassig	Bob Conrath
1984	Wash. DC, Holiday Inn	Jim Martin	Dick Pocius	Bill Franklin	Mk. Deveraux
1985	San Diego, Catamaran	Dick Pocius	Mk. Deveraux	Bill Franklin	Chuck Hammer
1986	Kona, King Kamehameha	Dick Pocius	Mk. Deveraux	Bill Franklin	Chuck Hammer
1987	San Diego - Coronado	Dick Stuelke	Rex Tripp	Chuck Hammer	Mk. Deveraux
1988	Las Vegas - Golden Nugget	Dick Stuelke	Rex Tripp	Morgan Hughes	Morgan Hughes
1989	Avila Beach - Bay Inn	L. Shadowens	Ed Pinke	Morgan Hughes	Morgan Hughes
1990	Shell Beach - Clifts	L. Shadowens	Ed Pinke	John Dobson	Morgan Hughes
1991	Washington, DC- Crowne Plaza	L. Shadowens	Ralph Mitchell	John Dobson	Elgen Long	Sandy's First. Anna Chenault Speaks
1992	Santa Barbara - Fess Parker	L. Shadowens	Ralph Mitchell	John Dobson	Elgen Long
1993	San Diego - Marriott	Joe Calton	Hank Germain	Ray Hopcus	John Ristano
1994	Reno - Hilton	Joe Calton	Hank Germain	Ray Hopcus	John Ristano	Last FTLRPA
1995	Phoenix - Wyndham	John Ristaino	Peter Peralta	Buck Jennings	Frank Therian	First FTLPA. Ann Marie Prescott Speaks
1996	Shell Beach - Cliffs	John Ristaino	Peter Peralta	Buck Jennings	Frank Therian
1997	Las Vegas - Hilton	George Gewehr	Peter Peralta	Gene Martin	Bob Gilbert
1998	Phoenix - Wyndham	George Gewehr	Bob Gilbert	Gene Martin	Pete Peralta
1999	San Antonio - Anthony	George Gewehr	Bob Gilbert	Peter Okicich	Pete Peralta	Martha Maxham - FA Recognition Dinner
2000	San Diego - Hanalei	George Gewehr	Bob Gilbert	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Martha Maxham
2001	Seattle - Marriott-Westin	Don McComas	Mike Coppola	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Martha Maxham
2002	Sacramento - Holiday Inn	Don McComas	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Judie Esler
2003	New Orleans - Monteleone	Don McComas	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Judie Esler - FA Recognition Dinner
2004	Long Beach - Marriott	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Judie Esler
2005	Portland - Marriott	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Judie Esler
2006	Tucson - Omni Westward	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Judie Esler
2007	Monterey - Marriott	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2008	San Diego - Hanalei	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino - FA Recognition Dinner
2009	Palm Springs - Aqua Caliente	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2010	Napa - Marriott	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2011	Scottsdale - Doubletree	George Gewehr	Bill Mayfield	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2012	Monterey - Marriott	John Dickson	Larry Weeks	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2013	San Diego - Crown Plaza	John Dickson	Larry Weeks	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino - FA Recognition Dinner
2014	Seattle - Marriott Waterfront	John Dickson	Larry Weeks	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2015	New Orleans - Marriott	John Dickson	Larry Weeks	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2016	Napa - Marriott	John Dickson	Larry Weeks	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Robin Pestarino
2017	Portland - Red Lion	John Dickson	Larry Weeks	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Joyce Danielsen
2018	Palm Springs - Renaissance	John Dickson	Larry Weeks	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Joyce Danielsen Dalbey - FA Recognition Dinner
2019	Long Beach - Renaissance	John Dickson	Scott Mergele	Peter Okicich	Peter Okicich	Joyce Danielson Dalbey
2020 (cancelled)	San Antonio - Westin Riverwalk	John Dickson	Scott Mergele	Ray McKenzie	Leigh-lu Prasse	Joyce Danielson Dalbey
2021 (cancelled)	San Antonio - Westin Riverwalk	John Dickson	Wayne Lane	Bill Libby	Leigh-lu Prasse	Joyce Danielson Dalbey
2021 Joint "Ambush in Hood River"	Hood River - Gorge Hotel	John Dickson	Wayne Lane	Bill Libby	Leigh-lu Prasse	Joyce Danielson Dalbey
2022	San Antonio - Westin Riverwalk	John Dickson	Wayne Lane	Bill Libby	Leigh-lu Prasse	Joyce Danielson Dalbey