William Larry Niemann Classification Talk

What do these photos have in common?  Read below...

Giving his classification talk as an Aviation Profession was William, a.k.a. Larry, and spouse of long-time member Kris.  Larry flew us, so to speak, around the world and who he is, giving us an overview of his life as a young man, a military pilot, a commercial pilot, a trainer and inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, and now as a Rotarian.

Using a slide show spiced with quiet humor, Larry told of his family – 2 sisters, 2 nephews, wife, daughters (one, Tracy, works for Manor Care), and grandchildren… told of a heritage including immigrants from 1632, and his being a son of English Loyalists and a Son of the American Revolution!  In his youth, he lived in Hinsdale, a ranch in North Dakota, and at times at Kelly Lake, Wisconsin.

Graduating in 1965 from all-male Wabash College with a liberal arts degree, he went into the military and flew a wide variety of planes including prop and jet trainers, C-141 Starlifters, and the “Mean Mutha” A-10 Warthog.  Part of his time was as a forward air controller in Vietnam, on the ground and in the air.

He later became a civilian pilot with Eastern Airlines, then a FAA safety inspector.  He certified pilots, dispatchers, and airlines.  Part of his job included investigating the DC-10 crash May 25, 1979.  He also was the Principal Operations Inspector for Midway, Midwest Express and Air Wisconsin Airlines.

Now retired, he no longer looks after airlines…instead, he looks after Kris !  Here in the Arlington area, he has been the A.H. Bicycle Advisory Commission Chairman, VACON, EGT Trustee, and a trustee candidate for the village.  These days in Rotary he has participated in service such as going to Guatemala.

  For some photos of other planes he has flown, see "more" below.