Avionics News March 2021 - 8

In Memory: Michael O'Leary
Michael (Mike) J. O'Leary passed away Feb. 14 at the
age of 69 following complications from COVID-19.
O'Leary worked for numerous AEA member companies
during a distinguished career that spanned
more than 50 years. He served on the AEA's
board of directors from 1996 to 2009 and
was chairman from 2002 to 2009, making
him the longest-serving chairman in the
organization's history. O'Leary also served as
the board's secretary and vice chairman during his tenure, and his leadership was instrumental in guiding
the association's move to its state-of-the-art international headquarters with a world-class training center in Lee's Summit,
Missouri. In 1998, he was named the AEA Member of the Year.
O'Leary retired in June 2020 from Elliott Aviation and moved
to Arizona to enjoy the weather and be closer to family.
Born and raised on a farm in northwest Iowa about 9 miles
north of Emmetsburg, O'Leary learned at an early age how to
handle machinery and work the land. Upon graduation from
Emmetsburg High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the
age of 17. He did two tours of duty in Vietnam as a torpedo
man on a destroyer, the USS Towers. After his military service, O'Leary followed his father's passion for aviation and
took up flying. He earned his pilot's license, A&P mechanic
license, became an avionics installer, and earned several pilot
ratings (private; commercial; instrument; multiengine; instructor). He also logged thousands of hours of flight time.
O'Leary enjoyed his chosen profession in aviation, and
his career was a central part of his life. He loved airplanes
and working with people. O'Leary was the consummate
professional and was truly an expert in his field and a perfectionist when it came to his work.
He made countless special friends as his aviation career
took him to many different cities - living and traveling extensively across the U.S. He was an engaging, charming conversationalist and a great storyteller and always up for a good joke.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Patricia (Patty);
daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, David Courtney; sister,
Maureen; nephew, James, and his wife, Elise; plus many
cousins and other family members and countless friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and
Virginia (Ginny) O'Leary.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the
Gary Hutchinson Memorial Chapter 1028 of the Vietnam
Veterans of America (vva1028mo.com) or the Emmetsburg
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2295.
A celebration of life is being planned by the immediate
family and is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12,
2021, in Phoenix, Arizona. More details will be provided at
a later date. q

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march

2021

In Memory: Ron Hall
Ron Hall, who retired from Duncan Aviation in 2007 and
was named the AEA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
in 2011, recently passed away Feb. 9 at the age of 79.
Hall grew up in the small town
of Winfield, Kansas, about 45 miles
southeast of Wichita. It was there that
Hall was introduced to the basics of
electricity and electronics. As a young
teenager, Hall and several of his friends
connected with a local ham radio
group. They participated in field days, antenna raisings
and studied for their general licenses. They also became
cadets in the Civil Air Patrol.
Hall experienced his first flight at age 16, when
the Air Force flew several cadets in an old, noisy cargo
aircraft from Wichita to Salina, Kansas, for a two-week
summer camp. After graduating from high school,
Hall attended the local junior college, and later began
working toward an engineering degree at Wichita
State University.
In January 1962, Hall enlisted in the United States
Air Force. After basic training, Hall was assigned to
Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was
there that his fundamental electronics knowledge was
upgraded to aircraft navigation repair. Later in 1962,
Hall was transferred to Lincoln, Nebraska, and the 307th
A&E squadron. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Lincoln
had two B-47 squadrons, and his group of new trainees
became top-notch aircraft radio repairmen.
Following his release, Hall returned to Wichita and went
to work for Learjet, where he met Bill Lear. Soon, Hall
transferred to a new Learjet maintenance facility opening
in Lincoln with a new avionics shop. In 1968, American
Learjet changed ownership and became what is known
today as Duncan Aviation.
Hall's career flourished from 1968 until his retirement
in 2007 at Duncan Aviation. He served stints as shop
manager, installation shop manager and engineering
supervisor, avionics sales and APU sales director.
Hall attended his first AEA convention in Kansas City
in 1970, where he met AEA's founder, Chuck Peacock.
Attending the AEA Convention became an annual event
for Hall, and he forged new relationships with several AEA
members throughout his career.
Duncan Aviation hosted several AEA Regional Meetings,
and Hall served on the AEA board of directors for 20 years.
In 1985, he was named the recipient of the AEA Member of
the Year Award.
Hall and his wife, Phyllis, had three children: Allen,
Douglas and Gretchen; along with several grandchildren. q

http://vva1028mo.com

Avionics News March 2021

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