Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 1 Line: 37

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Born July 14, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Steve and Anastia Stefanko. Graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago. Attended Western Illinois University where he enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) prior to enlisting in the Navy. He also attended Northwestern University and the University of Iowa. Married Dorothy Lancaster on April 4, 1945. They had nine children.
Served as a U.S. Naval Flight Officer as a Night Fighter Instrument Instructor at NAS Vero Beach during WWII. Checked out in F6F, F7F, SB2C, SB2A, SNB, SNJ, NH4, N2S, SNV, and Piper Cub. Retired from United Airlines as Captain in August, 1980 after 34 years. Has Air Transport Pilot and Flight Engineer ratings. Flew DC-3, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, C-340, Caravelle, B-720 and B-727. Accumulated 24,000 accident-free flight hours.
Retired member of Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) Aircraft Survival Committee and International Society of Aircraft Investigators. Recipient of the Air Line Pilot Association Annual Safety Award for Disaster Planning. Award given annually to one airline pilot from 35,000 members of ALPA. Received Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, outstanding Alumni Achievement Award from Western Illinois University, Phizer Award of Merit and sundry other aviation safety awards.