Today's Featured Biography

 
Fred Honchell

Following HS graduation I enrolled at Eastern Mich. U. and commuted between there
and home several times with Rupert Cox.

I did only the freshman year at Eastern then installed telephones for Ma Bell for a year.
Deciding I possibly needed more education, Flint JC was the next step. But what I was
really crazy about was flying. So one sunny day I presented myself at the Air Force
recruter's office and proceeded to take the necessary tests. The initial testing was at
the Flint office, then later off to Selfridge AFB for the written and physical testing.

Finally the acceptance came and I was off to aviation cadets. My paycheck came from
uncle Sam the next nine years. During that period the Air Force sent me back to school
to finish the degree at Arizona State. I then elected to shuck the uniform and went to
work for Lockheed Ga. in Marietta. The job was engineering in the C-5A flight test
program. The amazing thing was, that I spent most of the time at Edwards AFB,
California. Just couldn't seem to get away from the Air Force! I later took engineering
employment with the federal government then finally landed a flying job.

Quite a number of years were consumed flying for Mississippi Valley Airlines then Air
Wisconsin AL(United Express) and finally Airborne Express. So I have lived all over the
place. Eventually my hearing weakened to the point of being unable to pass the first
class flight physical. So at that juncture, I reverted to the mechanical engineering trade.
The other engineers spoke loudly to me or else just sent emails so I could understand
what they wanted. It worked out.

During these many jobs, I was married, had three children, divorced, and am once
again married for 7 years at this time. As you can see from the attached photos, I
have visited with fellow classmates, Mike Mendez and Bob Prunty recently.

Since retiring from engineering work three years ago, I have spent lots of time painting
watercolor landscapes plus fishing often and taking naps alongside my faithful dog
Buster (see photo.). Tough life!

My wife, Annie and I now live in the small town of Delta, Colorado 40 miles south of
Grand Junction, CO. It is surrounded by mountains. Beautiful country. Come visit.

Fred Honchell

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Where are they? from Barbara Hofmeister on Vimeo.