EAA Chapter Two Flies Local Seniors!
August 13, 2005

Pilots from EAA Chapter Two flew two Senior Citizens from Kingston Health Care Center of Fort Wayne.

Agnes Busian was born in Willshire, Ohio in 1918 and moved to Fort Wayne in 1920. She was not going to get married or have children. But … she married Vincent in 1941 and they went on to have six children, 13 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Unfortunately, Vincent passed away in August 2002.

Agnes came to Kingston in January 2005.

Agnes has always had an adventuresome spirit. She has ridden on a motorcycle, taken a helicopter ride, as well as a hot air balloon ride. The hot air balloon ride was a favorite, as she had a bird's eye view of the countryside. She could even see Vincent following the balloon from the ground.

Amazingly enough, her very first plane ride was in 1941 or 1942 from Smith Field. The flight didn't last too long, but it went over Fort Wayne.

A couple of things that she mentioned that she had not done: ridden on a roller coaster (still not interested in doing that), and seeing the Grand Canyon. Last fall, she rode from San Diego to Fort Wayne with her daughter and son-in-law and really enjoyed that trip. She and Vincent did travel when they were physically able to, and have been many places in the U.S.

Agnes was flown in a 1967 Cessna 177 'Cardinal', N9058F.  Her pilot, and plane owner, was David Dewald.


Blanche Kumfer currently is a resident at Kingston Care Center. She is married to Theron Kurtz who also resides at Kingston. Born and raised in Allen County, she attended high school at Huntertown. When she was about twenty years old she recalls taking a plane ride with Mr. Henry Hilger out of Smith Field Airport. “I can't wait to do it again” she said. “Never at my age, now 88 years young did I dream of going again.” Her occupation was a housewife and working at Farnsworth TV for about four years. She also likes to talk about traveling to Wisconsin and Texas. Favorite leisure time was fishing, dancing, and listening to country music.

Blanche was flown in a 1974 Cessna 172M, N1768V.  Her pilot, and plane owner, was Craig Brown.

September 11, 2004

Pilots from EAA Chapter Two flew two Senior Citizens from Kingston Health Care Center of Fort Wayne.  What was unusual about these two ladies is that neither of them had ever flown before, in any kind of aircraft.

Dorothy Tom was still grinning when she got back to the facility in the limo provided by Premier Limousine.  At 92 years of age, her first flight was more than she had imagined.

Dorothy was flown by Pilot Dave Hobrock in his 1973 Cessna 182P (N1442D).
Dorothy Tom, 92, with Pilot Dave Hobrock
Sadly, Dorothy passed away on April 30, 2005.  Our condolences to her family and friends.

Lola Warner stole the spotlight for everyone this morning for a little while.  Lola, who  turned 100 on the September 14th, 2004 and her wish was to fly in an airplane for the first time.  Lola was able to take this momentous flight with 2 of her great grandchildren, truly a huge memory for both generations.

Lola was flown by Pilot Craig Brown in his 1974 Cessna 172M (1768V).
Lola Warner, 99, with two of her great grandchildren and Pilot Dave Hobrock
Lola, 99, with her flight certificate

Dorothy and Lola in the Limo from Primmer
Dorothy and Lola in the back of the Limousine.
First Flight
via e-mail

The staff of Kingston Care Center want to extend our sincere thanks to all the hard workers who planned and worked at this morning's event.  Taking our two First Flight residents was a moment that was just priceless. 

With everyone celebrating our anniversary of 9-11 in so many different ways, I was amazed at the size of the crowd that showed up to celebrate this day in the air.  No Fear.

Dorothy Tom was still grinning when she got back to our facility in the limo provided by Premier Limousine.  At 92 years of age, her first flight was more than she had imagined.  Thank you's are still coming in from her family. 

Lola Warner stole the spotlight for everyone this morning for a little while, Lola will turn 100 on the 14th, her wish was to fly in an airplane for the first time.  Lola was able to take this momentous flight with 2 of her great grandchildren, truly a huge memory for both generations. 

Again we want to thank everyone at Smith Field for helping us in our "Never Too Late, making wishes come true" program at KCC.  Too many times our elderly have dreams or wishes and no body seems to listen, when we asked for your help in granting this wish, there was never a second thought from you. 

Finally everyone at Kingston Healthcare want to salute your Young Eagle program in honoring your 3000th Young Eagle.  You have every reason in the world to be busting your buttons today.

Monti Montgomery
     Administrator
     Kingston Care Center
Monti,

Thank you so much for the wonderful e-mail. It's this kind of messages that make it all worth while, a great 'pick-me-up' for those days when one wonders if we are doing any good in the community. I speak for all that were involved in this Young Eagles Flight Rally when I say that we really enjoyed having Dorothy and Lola attend today. You are right in making the statement, "Too many times our elderly have dreams or wishes and no body seems to listen". We were glad we could be a part of this momentous and memorable occasion for both ladies, as well as Lola's Great Grandchildren. 

Yes, this was a day for all of us to remember, in spite of what happened to our United States of America three years ago. More often, we need to remember the good things, rather than dwelling on the bad. 

Thanks to your staff, Dorothy and Lola, as well as all the volunteers today, general aviation had reason to stand proud and tall today - - - THANK YOU! 

Congratulations to everyone involved today, including EAA Chapter Two's 3000th Young Eagle, Miss Alex J. Eagleson.

Please see more images of these three young ladies below.

Kim O. Walker 
     Website/Newsletter Editor

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