Foil: 3 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 53

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Dorothy M. "Torgy" Regan's interest in aviation began as a child during World War II when she collected profile sheets of aircraft to help identify German warbirds that might threaten the eastern coast of the U.S. She kept her love of aviation alive as she raised her four children -- David M., Daniel J., Kathleen D., and William R. -- and took them to air shows in Pennsylvania. Her husband, James R., shared this joy of flying and served in the U.S. Air Force as a physician during the 1950s. After Torgy's children were grown, she -- following her husband -- got her private pilot license and eventually her instrument, commercial, and flight instructor ratings. She was a member of the International Organization of Women Pilots ("The 99s") from 1988 until her death in from cancer in 1999. She served as secretary, newsletter editor, and vice chairman of the Keystone Chapter, Mid-Atlantic Section. She made several solo flights to the western U.S., especially Montana. Friends recall that "people in Montana treated her like a queen as they saw this petite white haired woman emerge from a plane she had flown by herself from Pennsylvania." Torgy worked hard to promote women in aviation, including by talking to Girl Scout troops about flying and careers in aviation. She also taught several women to fly. She and her husband owned a Piper Arrow (N5030S), based at Easton Airport near their home in Bethlehem, PA. Friends and members of the "99s" said on the day of her funeral that she would have remarked that it was a perfect day to go flying. Fly high, Torgy. Fly high.