DON THOELE 1948 - 1986 AVIONICS TECH, FLIGHT SIMULATOR TECH, LEAD FLIGHT SIMULATOR TECH DEN PHX Carl Willmann told me about your newsletter. I was with the "old Frontier" for 38 years as an avionics tech and simulator tech. -Don Thoele (8/7/03) Monarch hired me in 1948 to install and maintain "H" markers and ground radios. I went to PHX in 1950-53 to do the same work. I returned to DEN and worked in the radio shop and line service. In the late 1960s I transferred to the Flight Simulator Dept. We had a CV580 simulator and a B737 simulator. I was there until FL went down. -Don Thoele (8/25/03) Hi Don, We have a discussion going about where the FL 580 simulator came from. Some say it was the fuselage from the CV340 crash at GRI, SN73130. Others say it was bought as a CV340 simulator from United. Do you recall how we got it? Thanks, -Jake Lamkins (4/25/11) Hi Jake, The CV580 started out from a UAL CV340 that crashed landed in a corn field. UAL made a CV340 simulator from the cockpit. We obtained the simulator and in time converted it to CV580 --- I believe Curtis Wright converted it. We sold the simulator to ERA based in Alaska --- they fly people that maintain the oil pipeline. I had the privilege of going to Alaska in 1993 to help with a repair. It was a good analog simulator and did a good job for FAL. -Don Thoele (4/25/11) FLacebook messenger 12/2/20 Lynne Willmann Hi Jake. I just talked to Bernice Thoele- she told me that Don Thoele passed away last Friday. I don't have much info yet. He was born March 9, 1927; died Nov. 27, 2020. I know he was in Avionics, then worked with the simulators. After FAL closed down, he worked at Continental for a couple of years. My family & the Thoeles were good friends over the years. Thanks for letting me know, Lynn. I'll let the FLamily know. -Jake Lamkins (12/2/20) FLacebook - FL Club FLight West: Don Thoele DON THOELE 1948 - 1986 AVIONICS TECH, SIMULATOR TECH DEN PHX Don flew west last Friday, Nov 27, 2020 at age 93. More info later. Pic from Jun 1973. -Jake Lamkins (12/2/20) Thanks Jake. I wasn't sure how to get this out. Bernice said she appreciates your help. -Lynne Willmann Bernice Thoele This is wonderful. Ginger Treptow So sorry for your loss. May he Rest In Peace! Ruth Pitts Sorry to hear, Bless his family may he ride in the heavens now. Patricia Trish Swanson-Hawk Prayers for his family and friends (12/3/20) Eric Van Maanen This Guy Totally has my dream job! Wow 93 that's awesome. I wish his family best wishes this holiday season and forever. Thanks for sharing. George Fay So sad to hear this. I remember Don very well from the days (nights!) of running the simulators in DEN. He was masterful at finding and fixing problems.. and always a kind word and a smile. Rest In Peace, sir! (12/4/20) D W THOELE DEN radio mechanic Per the Nov 1955 Frontier employees roster. ----------------------------------- D W THOELE Notation says Don DEN lead radio mechanic DOB 3/9/27 DOH 5/24/48 Per the Feb 1960 Frontier employees roster. ----------------------------------- D W THOELE Emp# 08398 Notation says Don DEN flight simulator technician DOB 3/9/27 DOH 5/24/48 Per the Dec 1970 Frontier employees roster. ----------------------------------- D W THOELE Emp# 08398 DENDT Per the Nov 1984 Frontier employees roster. ----------------------------------- D W THOELE Flight simulator technician seniority date of 11/11/68 Lead flight simulator technician seniority date of 5/18/76 Per the May 1986 FL/IAM Seniority List. -Jake Lamkins (12/14/20) FLacebook - FL Club Frontier Memorial Webpage Posted DON THOELE 1948 - 1986 AVIONICS TECH, FLIGHT SIMULATOR TECH, LEAD FLIGHT SIMULATOR TECH DEN PHX http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Don_Thoele.html Still need an obituary for him. Post your remembrances of Don. -Jake Lamkins (12/15/20)