JACK SCHADE 1947 - 1981 PILOT SLC DEN I have attached a photo from Jack Schade (one of the greatest Frontier captains ever). He was former Challenger based in SLC until his retirement 20 years ago. The photo was taken at the Rawlins airport in the winter of 47-48 when the Union Pacific was snowbound for nearly 10 days. Jack is 80 and doing pretty well in spite of being nearly bionic! You name it, he has had it replaced at least once. Jack flew B-29's over Japan during WWII. The photo shows 2 Challenger DC-3's. Challenger flew passengers and food westbound RWL to RKS and eastbound to RWL so they could continue on. The locomotives furnished heat to the passenger cars during this time and the dining cars provided meals. My father's (Plains Airways) dropped food and supplies to snowbound ranchers during this time using a DC-3 and Beech-18's. As a youngster, I remember the snow piled to the roof tops and a tunnel from the front door. We would really get a scootin' on our sleds from the roof down Capitol Ave., in Cheyenne. -Billy Walker (1/29/01) Jack sent a 1948 photo of Challenger's first stewardess class along with a short note. -Jake Lamkins (5/27/04) Working for an airline offered lots of travel opportunities so one of the first things I wanted to do was go somewhere I'd never been. Salt Lake City seemed like a good place so I got a pass and checked in for Frontier Flight # 12. It was a DC-3 aircraft that made a stop in Farmington and Grand Junction before arriving in Salt Lake City. I had already learned to take Dramamine tablets to control motion sickness. It was also helpful to sit over the wings. My colleagues suggested I board early to be assured of a good over-the-wing seat. I took their advice and while getting situated, the Captain came aboard. He was a remarkably friendly fellow who asked where I was going. I told him Salt Lake City and had boarded early because of the motion sickness problem. I was totally astonished at what he did. He went to some trouble to set up the portable "jump-seat" in the flight cabin behind the crew' seats where the motion would be less notable and I could see forward which would also help. That was the first time I ever saw Captain Jack Schade. Shortly thereafter, his Co-Pilot came aboard. He seemed to wear a perpetual grin and was just as friendly as the Captain. His name was Tex Searle. A few moments later, the stewardess boarded. Her name was Ruth Agnew, but everybody lovingly called her Ruthie. Our flight departed on schedule and after reaching cursing altitude, I got another surprise. If I had the good fortune to sit on the jump-seat, it would get even better when Co-Pilot Searle let me sit in his right-side seat while he and Ruthie made a few sandwiches in the small galley right behind the flight cabin. I took several pictures from the side cockpit window and also a few straight ahead catching an excellent panorama of the desert landscape below. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship with those folk whom I always held in highest esteem. -Wayman (Mac) McElhaney ABQ 1958-1985 (11/11/04) I didn't know Ruth, but two finer men than these just can't be found!! -Carol Stillman (11/12/04 Dear Jake, Here's a little green to help oil the machine. I really look forward to reading of all the old Frontier' Family's etc. Sure revives some great old memories. Saw the picture of Bob Lambourne. He had some interesting experiences flying Spitfires during WWII. Thanks for all you do. -Jack Schade (11/2/06) J B SCHADE Seniority date 7/6/47 Per 9/1/72 FL/ALPA seniority list He is not on the 9/1/81 seniority list. -Jake Lamkins (11/2/06) Hi Jack, Got your letter today and just wanted to say thanks for your kind words and support of the FL newsletter. It's always a pleasure to hear from the pioneers of Rocky Mountain aviation. Take care, -Jake Lamkins (11/2/06) The question about seniority back in Challenger days brought to mind a sticky problem involving Sims, Mooney, Ferguson, me and I think the other was Lamborne. We were hired by Ririe in June of '47 as copilots and none of had ATR ratings. We all started flying trips immediately. We flew with the Captain for at least a full month at a time. I think two more '3s were brought into the fleet. A couple of new Captains were needed. This was about Oct or Nov of 47. Doug McDonald and Charley Weed were hired as the new Captains. Now the never thought about Seniority number comes into the picture as the new Captains thought their rank should put them ahead of us copilots. We were not in ALPA and the time and the situation got a little hot at times. Sims had left the Air Force and gone to work for the Union Pacific Rail Road in some lower management position and had been introduced to The Railroad Labor Act so we had some good background argument for our position ''Date of Hire; First Flight and Date of first pay check, $120.00/Month. The best part was flying with Keller, McChrystal, Grande Dupree And Woody Reynolds. Billings and Denver as layover cities. This is the way it comes back to this old, worn out think tank. Take care -Jack Schade (6/19/08 Jake, I read the obits and feel sad. Then, I go down "Memory Lane" and reflect on the "Good Times" I had with that person. Makes me feel good!! Thank you so much for the work you do to keep us back in touch. -Jack Schade (1/29/09) Retirements JOHN SCHADE - Captain, DEN January 6, 1981 Per FL NEWS, January 1981 -Jake Lamkins (1/26/09) Jake, A little ink donation. (He sent a $20 bill.) Thanks for your efforts tp help us remember. -Jack Schade (5/6/10) Hi Jack, Got your letter today and THANK YOU for your support. I was just going to buy some ink cartridges. Regards, -Jake Lamkins (5/6/10) Hey Everyone! This is Anne, Jack's daughter letting you know that Dad's computer is on the fritz and needs major repairs unfortunately. He will be off-line for awhile so don't worry he's doing okay. Thanks so much for staying in touch with him as I know he appreciates each and every one of you! -Anne Schade Elwood (6/12/10) Jake, Thanks for all the "memories!" Have a beer and a burger. (He sent a $20 bill.) -Jack Schade (10/8/10) HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY, JACK!! May you have many more. -Jake Lamkins (1/7/11) Jack, Happy birthday to one hell of a fine Airman....yes, there is a huge difference between a pilot that just "drives" an airplane and an airman. From Airmen like you, I at least learned to be a pilot. Thank you...Happy Birthday and God Bless. -Jack Gibson (1/10/11) Jake, The group of stewardesses hired by Challenger Airlines about 1948. Male stewards first cabin caretakers when I was hired 1947. Man is gov WYO + his (two) attendees. Alice Wright, Mary Jones, Sylvia Diedricks, Ellie Bastar, Isabell Wilson, Vicky Marason, Mary Warhover, BJ Schider, Carol Speck. Kitty Knete, Gov Hunt (3), Libby Decker (chief stewardess), Pat Larson. -Jack Schade (3/10/11) Subject: EAA Timeless Voices Greetings, I recommend you get on-record Captain Jack B. Schade (90). He is very lucid for a 90 year old albeit has trouble getting around as well as he used to. He is the Best of the Best of some marvelous pilots I have flown with. He started in the Army Air Corps in Panama before WWII. He trained in the Ryan PT-22 and went on to fly the B-17 AND the B-29. His photos and stories of fire bombing Japan are spell binding. On one raid, he came back with most of his tail gone! On another they had a mechanical problem and, pursuant to the briefing, dropped back. The B-29 that took his place was hit in the bomb bay by flack and disintegrated! He was in the huge fly-over the Japanese surrender signing on the deck of the USS Missouri. After the war he flew a short while with Western Airlines. Furloughed, he joined Challenger Airways which was merged with two other carriers to become the historic Frontier Airlines. I came with Frontier in 1967 and had the good fortune to snag Captain Schade as my mentor. As an airline captain he flew the DC-3, Convair 340, Conviar 580 "Mountain Master," and the Boeing 737. He stayed busy flying post retirement in DC-3's and the ubiquitous Boeing Model 75 "Stearman." I could not have had a better mentor and, later, friend. He is without a doubt the most complete man I have ever known. He has class, character and a set of values we could only wish on the rest of our country. He is humble, but has a subtle way of leading fledglings such as me in the right direction. It has been my privilege to pass along the things I learned from Captain Schade to my students. Because of him, they are competent aviators in a world of pilots... Not long ago the FAA awarded Captain Schade with the Wright Brother's "Master Pilot" Award. If you are interested, I have some photos of Captain Schade, from his cadet days to the present, on my other computer. I will be happy to send them to you. I so very much hope you will include him in your "Timeless Voices" segment. You will be delighted with your decision to do so. Captain Jack Bering Schade lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. -Billy Walker (3/17/11) Dear Jake; March of this year, a member of the Frontier Family, Captain Billy Walker, was recognized for his contribution to aviation; past - present and probably the future. The state of Arizona had a well attended ceremony to induct Captain Walker as the recipient of the title "Arizona Aviation Hall Of Fame." Captain Walker is now a member of the Aviation Elite! A little sugar for the pot ($20 bill) -Jack Schade (10/5/11) Hi Jack, Thanks for the donation and info on Billy. I ran an item on his award in the Jan 2011 issue of the FL News. He's a great guy! As are you! -Jake Lamkins (10/5/11) Hi Jack, I just finished going through some pix that Mel Barnard, an old Challenger hand, sent me and found one of you. I figured you would get a kick out of it. Can you identify the other two in the pic? Regards, -Jake Lamkins (10/31/11) Tonight I received a message about one of our most treasured members, Captain Jack Schade. He has been through a few very bad days. But in his heroic tradition has bounced back. He was admitted to the IMC in Murray early Monday morning with a 'brain bleed'. However, on Wednesday after extensive cranial surgery, well - I'll let his daughter tell you, "Yesterday they had him walk around his bed in the morning and to the sink to wash his hands in the afternoon. He was telling jokes to the nurses, etc. It is unbelievable!!! He seems to not have lost a step. Even his vision seems OK. The guy really is the bionic man. They may move him out of ICU today. And, I think they might not even have to have him go to rehab. Just really incredible. Great blessings." For those of you that were lucky enough to have witnessed his presentation to our hangar in February of 2010, I'm sure you will understand what a great QB, pilot, veteran, hero, father, husband he is. I just spoke with Jack. He sounded much better than I expected although with Jack I should have expected him to be up and at 'em. What a guy! What an amazing attitude. He expects to be out of the hospital Monday and will get some PT to help re-gain some tardy motor functions. -Billy Walker (2/25/12) Hi Jack, Best wishes on your 91st birthday. Hope you have a GREAT one! -Jake Lamkins Frontier 1964-86 (1/7/13) J. B. SCHADE SLC captain per the Nov 1955 FL Roster. J. B. SCHADE Notation say Jack SLC captain DOB 1/7/21 DOH 7/6/47 per the Feb 1960 FL Roster. -Jake Lamkins (1/7/13) Captain Jack Bering Schade 1921 - 2014 It is with heavy heart I echo the sad news from Salt Lake City where our friend,colleague, and Frontier family member, Captain Jack Schade, has Gone West this morning. According to his daughter Anne, Jack experienced a massive heart attack. Jack's daughter Jill was with him. Cheryl and I visited with Jack this past week. We spent several hours reminiscing. Attached is a story about Jack. Each of us could write a book about our memories of him... Services will be held at the Larkin Mortuary - 1PM on Tuesday July 1st. Burial will at the Salt Lake City cemetery. -Billy Walker (6/25/14) FLacebook Boy this hits close to home. I knew Captain Schade very well. He was a genuine friend of the Maintenance Dept. Sincere sympathy and prayers for your loved ones. -Stu Hammersmark (6/25/14) Here's another pic of Jack from the 2010 SLC Reunion. He was always very helpful to me over the years - especially with my questions about Challenger Airlines with whom he started 7/6/47. -Jake Lamkins (6/25/14) I remember Jack very well. He was a really great guy. He sure was easy to deal with from a maintenance standpoint. My deepest sympathy to his family. -Bill Guthrie (6/26/14) Another dear friend, comrade, fellow pilot.....GONE WEST...Godspeed and tailwinds old friend Captain Jack. -Dale Buss (6/26/14) RIP Captain Jack it was an honor to know you. -Karen Ward Berry (6/26/14) Wonderful, wonderful man. The finest. Was an absolute pleasure to visit with and was extraordinarily helpful with stories and info for the Frontier Airlines history book. Will be missed terribly, but loved always...thank you for everything Captain Schade... -Gregory Stearns (6/26/14) There will be a luncheon at Little America following Jack's services. Jill and Anne are inviting all of us and would like an approximate count of attendees. Please let me know if you plan on being there. -Billy Walker (6/30/14) FLacebook - FL Club SLC pilot Jack Schade's memorial webpage is posted. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Jack_Schade.html Jack was always helpful with my questions and he supported the FL newsletter for over 13 years. His flight west is a huge loss to the FLamily. -Jake Lamkins (7/7/14) Oh my goodness! This brings tears to my eyes as I haven't seen some of these things. This is an incredible tribute to my cherished dad. Thanks for this from the bottom of my heart. -Anne Schade Elwood (7/12/14)