BRAD HURD 1951 - 1985 PILOT DEN Just pulled up your email and wanted to let you know that the FL website is one of my very favorite sites. I know it was a great effort on your part. Thanks so very much. I don't remember if you were at the gate on my last arrival on 2/14/85 but if you were you may remember Denise with our 1 1/2 mo. baby in the little basket. He is now 19. Probable won't be at the FAL picnic - not too cool. All the family is doing very well. I now have 3 Great grand kids. Time does move on and way too fast. See you at the picnic in Denver. -Brad Hurd (4/2/04) For what it's worth: Enlisted US Army Air Corp 2/14/43 (age 17). Class 45A soloed 7/12/44. Discharged 1/5/45. Hired FAL 1/3/51 Made captain 3/1/59 ATP: DC3, CV340, CV580, B727, B737, MD80, B757, B767 Retired 2/14/85 (#1 seniority for two weeks!!) After FAL; sprayed locust - DC3, CIA terrorist interdiction - B73, B727 @ Angola, ferry 727-757 worldwide At age 79 insurance for aircraft unavailable so that was it. Bummer! Total flying time - a little under 30K. -Brad Hurd (11/5/08) I am just leaving in a few minutes to pick up Brad Hurd for lunch and a Stearman flight. Brad was in an accident that totaled his 350Z when he was T-boned. Fortunately, the car took the brunt of it. But, Brad is thru driving as his MD is getting worse. If you get a chance give Brad a call. -Billy Walker (3/15/09) Just wanted to give you a quick update. Brad is at St. Joseph Hospital, actually Barrow Neurological Institute. I'm told one of the best in the country, people come from all over the world for treatment there. The CT scan showed three tumors. They have dismissed a stroke as only his arm was affected. They are either bleeding or clotting, but are swelling. They're doing an MRI sometime soon. He's completely lucid, in no pain, but of course worried. The doctor told Brian that he isn't in any immediate danger tonight, we got him there in time; may need radiation and chemo, but wouldn't be any more specific. I think we should wait until all tests are completed before worrying about that. Steve Mims was waiting (for hours it turned out) for us to arrive at St. Joes from Gilbert Mercy in the ambulance. He had a bright thought, maybe they're not malignant....I like that thought. He also said his new boss who is quite wealthy had brain surgery there and says they saved his life. He's going to get the doctor's name tomorrow. Love to you all -Denise Hurd (5/13/09) Without going into minute detail, the latest on Brad Hurd is this; He underwent some surgery to remove two areas of cancer in the head and has another to go. He is resting comfortably and appears all is going very well considering the situation, etc. He will remain in the hospital and undergo some more surgery and/or treatments as necessary. Again - he is in good spirits and all seems to be going well. (He says he has a headache!!!).:-) -Ace Avakian (5/19/09) I called Brad's number and spoke with Brian. After he'd given me the run-down on his dad, he handed the phone to Bradley. We had a nice visit and he sounded great! Brad is expecting his recovery process, along with the radiation treatments, to take a while, but he's in good spirits and expects to win this. He feels grateful for the terrific support team he has, especially with all the pressure that has been on Denise. I know he appreciates all the calls and the well wishes. -Billy Walker (5/24/09) I spoke with Sir Bradley just a day or so ago. Brad came thru the surgery fine except they could only remove 2 of the 3 malignant tumors. The 3rd will be treated with a Gamma Knife which isn't a knife but is a new radiation treatment source. Hopefully, this will work for him and us. -Billy Walker (6/4/09) Cheryl and I just spoke with Denise AND Brad! Today was a much better day in that one of the doctors indicated that there were some major improvements indicated and that having Hospice on scene was premature. The therapist even had Brad standing on his own today. They are all exhausted from the events of late, but somewhat encouraged with today's developments. Brad sounded weak, but was still game and not at all giving up. They have discovered the brain tumors are not as great an issue now, but that the lymph nodes are a major problem. Tomorrow there will be another blood work-up and some more visits with the doctors before they will know what will be next. For sure the word HOPE is the word for today! Brad reminded me that his last flight was in my ol' Stearman and that he hoped to have another flight one of these days. -Billy Walker (6/20/09) Following a bit of a rally, Brad has taken a turn for the worse and now Hospice is back. Brad, Denise, and Brian have a strong support group with lots of family there now. Things are difficult to predict so I am holding out with some hope there will be another rally. Denise appreciates knowing that you all are keeping Brad and his family in your thoughts and prayers. -Billy Walker (6/25/09) Just received word from Denise that Brad is no longer with us. -Nancy Meshko (7/2/09) This just in from Capt Billy Walker .... ======================================== It is with the deepest regret Captain Bradley J. Hurd Jr. has Flown West - 1 July 2009. As soon as I hear from Denise on the arrangements I will send more information. If you care to send a card to Denise & Brian: The Hurd Family 531 E Vaughn Ave Gilbert, AZ 85234-6453 -Phil Stallings (7/2/09) We lost him last night after a long, long fight. We are all devastated. Thank you for your love... -Denise Hurd (7/2/09) OBITUARY Bradley J. Hurd of Gilbert, AZ passed away at his home surrounded by his family on July 1, 2009. His devoted wife, Denise, his children, Christine Barnes, Bradley Hurd, Jeffrey Hurd, Michael Hurd, Andrew Starkweather and Brian Hurd, two sisters, Sally Mims and Harriet Staiert, ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren survive him. His passion for life included his love of aviation that began as a child. In 1944 he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and graduated from the University of Denver. In 1951 he joined Frontier Airlines as a pilot, and retired in 1985. He continued flying for air operations around the world. When in the U.S. he was a simulator instructor for America West in Phoenix. Mr. Hurd's interests were as wide ranging as the innate curiosity that drove him including sailing around the Virgin Islands, building a Varieze experimental aircraft, serving as a docent at Champlain Air Museum, flying kids through the Young Eagles program. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and just plain terrific guy will be missed by his family and friends. No one who knew him will ever look up to see a plane soaring through the sky and not think of him. -The Arizona Republic on 7/5/2009 Morning E-mail traffic from Billy Walker ======================================== Brad Hurd In addition to the gathering in PHX Wednesday July 8th, Denise and Brian are planning on having a second open house in DEN to honor Brad's memory. Please bring your best memoriesJ Sunday, July 19, 2009 from 4 PM until 7 PM Location: The Hurd's Parker address: 7186 Glen Circle Parker, CO 80134 -Phil Stallings (7/7/09) Posted at the FL Club Pilot Brad Hurd memorial webpage BRAD HURD 1951 - 1985 PILOT DEN http://FAL-1. tripod.com/ Brad_Hurd. html Post your remembrances of Brad. -Jake Lamkins (7/10/09) What you did in Brad Hurd's memory is wonderful. He would be touched! Incidentally, the photo of Brad in 2001, sitting in the cockpit of an A-320, over the North Atlantic. Brad went along on the test flight as well over the Mediterranean . We had a terrific time. -Billy Walker (10/5/09) Seeing Brad in the cockpit again brings happy memories. Frontier was such a special time for so many of us and it's so wonderful that you've got this website. Thanks so much, I'm really looking forward to your next newsletter. -Denise Hurd (10/4/09) Denise just sent the link to the Memorial page for my dad, Brad Hurd. I think having all of us there during that time (even three great grandchildren who he wanted to see one more time) was good. He hated to see all of us so sad, so the little ones brought joy as they splashed in the pool and gave him hugs and kisses. My husband and I will join Denise, dad's two sisters, a niece and nephew, a cousin, a few friends from his childhood for a graveside burial this Saturday at the Hurd family plot in Elma , New York , outside of Buffalo . It will be a difficult final goodbye, but it should be a lovely fall day. Well, it's never final with all of the wonderful memories we share. Attached is the unedited obit I wrote...it was too long for newspaper publication. -Christine Hurd Barnes (10/5/09) I treasure my friendship with your Dad. He was an incredibly unique individual. Brad was truly loved and admired by his peers. I always felt privileged and honored to have been one of his pals. I miss him greatly. You are spot-on in that anyone who knew Bradley J. Hurd, Jr. will always have their eyes pointed skyward with him to mind when an aircraft passes over. Your Dad was/is High Flight! The Obit you did for your Dad is a keeper. We will be with your family in spirit this Saturday. Love to you all, -Billy & Cheryl Walker (10/5/09) I just finished scanning Brad Hurd's nifty little autobiography and posted it to his memorial webpage at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Brad_Hurd.html You'll enjoy it, I think. -Jake Lamkins (9/12/17) He gave my daughter her first flight lesson. He is missed. -Vanessa McClintock (9/12/17) Brad was the ultimate Class Act. I really enjoyed flying with him. -Tom Robertson (9/12/17) Just finished reading it. What a blast! -George Fay (9/12/17) Loved flying with him. -Mary Dipper (9/12/17) I didn't have time to read all of it, will go back to finish, but loved it - what a life, what memories. I flew with him and always enjoyed the opportunity. -Ramona Nelson (9/13/17) Enjoyed part of article like Ramona. I will read little more I enjoyed flying with him flew a lot of the c47's (DC3's) with him glad to experience the those years. -Ruth Pitts (9/13/17) He was great guy,always enjoyed flying with him. -Elizabeth Holmes (9/13/17) Captain Hurd, it was always a pleasure to be part of his crew. -Martie Palser (9/13/17) Great Guy! Enjoyed his company whenever he was around. -Lou Clark (9/13/17) I so enjoyed working with Brad. He was one of a kind. -Sharon Bennett Jean (9/14/17)