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Colorado Aviation Pioneers

Many outstanding individuals have been recognized for their Colorado aviation heritage contributions through their induction into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame or with a Special Achievement Award by the Colorado Aviation Historical Society. Listed alphabetically, a complete list of these important Aviation Pioneers and short biographical information can be found at http://coloradoaviationhistoricalsociety.org/inductees_all.asp?menuID=12~12

The Ross-Barrett Historical Aeronautics Collection at the Denver Main Public Library Western Heritage include photos of Early Aircraft and Colorado Contributors to Aviation.

Here are a few noteworthy Colorado Aviation Pioneers in alphabetical order.

Harry B. Combs Colorado Native, born January 27, 1913 in Denver, it is written Harry Combs, “lived and breathed the Golden and Jet ages of aviation.” Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_B._Combs  More information on this aviation legend is on the Colorado Aviation Historical Society site.  

Charles C. Gates, Jr. Extraordinary aviation leader, who purchased Lear Jet Corporation and partners to form Combs Gates Fixed Based Operations (FBO) and  Avionics Engineering of Denver which were based at Stapleton International Airport. In 1978, a fourth FBO at the then Arapahoe County Airport (now Centennial Airport APA) was purchased as Combs Gates Aviation, which later became AMR Combs. Four articles have been written about this aviation luminary at http://airportjournals.com/archives       

Nadine (Liscomb) Jeppesen- A former United Airlines stewardess, who met legendary Elrey B. Jeppesen on a United flight Chicago to Omaha when her ordered coffee and both were smitten for life. They married 9/24/1936 and had a 60-year partnership in building the world famous Jeppesen “Black book” Airway Manual. They moved to Colorado in 1941, where Nadine managed the storefront Jeppesen Flight Chart store on East Colfax Avenue while Elrey continued flying for United. Nadine hired cartographers, helped design and write copy for promotional materials. She continued to work as secretary/treasurer for the company until the Times Mirror Corporation bought the world-famous Jeppesen Company in 1961. Nadine Jeppesen was awarded the 1994 National Aeronautic Association Katharine Wright Award and in 1995 was inducted into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame http://www.wai.org/pioneers    

Francis “Blondy” Lowry Born in Denver on December 1^st, 1894, Lowry volunteered for the Army service with the American Expeditionary Forces fighting in France in 1917. He was an Observer/gunner with the 91^st Aero Squadron. (Read more about the famed 91^st Aero Squadron www.rb-29.net/html/91stSRSHistory/01.01.91sthist.htm  ) On his 33^rd mission, both Lowry and the pilot, Asher Kelty, of the 2A2 airplane were shot down and killed near Crepion, France. In his honor Lowry Field located near East 38^th Avenue and Dahlia Street in Denver was named in his honor. That location is now Park-Hill Municipal Golf Course. Later in 1937, President Roosevelt authorized funds to relocate Lowry Air Field, later named Lowry Airforce Base, to the location near East 6^th Avenue and Quebec Street. Lowry AFB closed October 1, 1994. Read the history at www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/lowry.htm