Lt. Col. (Ret.) Arnie Clarke took his final flight when he passed away Monday, December 13, 2010 after surviving prostate cancer for seven years. This column was written last Thanksgiving so he would know how much he meant to us. 
    This Thanksgiving we can be thankful for Lt. Col. (Ret) Colin “Arnie” Clarke, USAF past Pangborn Airport Manager and moving spirit behind Miss Veedol. Friends and pilots I interviewed are in awe of his innate flying skills developed over 10,000 hours in hundreds of aircraft with on-the-edge aviation adventures. What people seem to be most thankful for is his spirit that inspires people to do more and build their community.

    We should be thankful he flew 385 hazardous combat missions during four tours of duty in South East Asia, where he earned both the Air Force Cross and the Silver Star. He guided missions to rescue downed airmen. He flew in the legendary Misty force to destroy enemy movements on the Ho Chi Minh trail. His planes were shot down twice and he survived twice. Steve Joy, who served on the Airport Board for over a decade and helped hire Arnie said, “He was a warrior.”

    After retiring from the Air Force in 1981, he expanded aviation as Pangborn Airport Manager. Arnie was responsible for constructing the new terminal, rebuilding the runway, adding a grass runway, sustaining the glider club and constructing hangars by leasing land east of the airport to private pilots. Joy said, “His performance was outstanding.”

    Miss Veedol would not have happened without Arnie, according to Dave Stadler, flying partner and past president of the Experimental Aircraft Association.  The Spirit of Wenatchee grew out of Arnie’s original idea for the EAA to build a small replica as a display in the courtyard west of Pangborn’s current TSA area. The idea grew until the goal was to raise funds, build a full-scale replica and fly it back to Japan. Stadler, one of the builders and an original test pilot, is flying to Japan with the disassembled plane to re-build it and fly it there before packing it up for the return home next year. He said, “If it was ten years ago, I’m convinced Arnie and I’d be flying that plane back to Japan.”

    Those are significant accomplishments, but what Arnie’s friends seem to be most thankful for is the quality of his character. Married to childhood sweetheart Sandra for 53 years and a terrific family man, he puts people and friends first, and inspires others to improve themselves.

    Pat Moore, who worked for Arnie from 1988 until he retired, said he encouraged her to complete the two-year certification as an Accredited Airport Executive. “Without that, I wouldn’t have been in any kind of position to be accepted as Pangborn airport manager.”

    Joy was a partner with Arnie in a Piper airplane. “He is an excellent partner. He does the right things. At Rotary he works on all the projects and truly put service above self. ”

Stadler said he deeply admires Arnie. “I’ve never heard him criticize another person. Arnie befriends everybody. He challenges people, ‘Do you want to be known for doing that stuff?’ You want to do what he wants because you want to earn his respect.”

    Dan Feil, pilot and East Wenatchee businessman, said, “He’s always been a real doer and there’s nothing he feels he can’t accomplish. He’s carried that spirit into Rotary and the community. Let’s do it.”

    This column feels inadequate to capture this colorful character people deeply admire.  They share story after captivating story I wish I could include to verify Arnie’s flight skills and adventures. What sets him apart in their eyes, and now mine, is their deep admiration for him as a loving human being who inspires others by example. Thanks Arnie.