Gordon Yeck (1943-2001) served in the United States Coast Guard from 1963-1970. During this time, he met and married his wife of thirty-five years, Ann Corbett. After leaving the service, Gordon received his pilot's training in Manassas, Virginia, at Colgan Airways. After obtaining his private license, he continued training and received his instrument and multi-engine ratings. Over the years, Gordon owned several airplanes including a Cessna 140, a Cessna 170B, a Cessna 150, a Cherokee 235, a Grumman Yankee, and a Mooney.

Gordon worked for the FAA as an air-traffic controller and supervisor from 1970 until his retirement in August, 2001. He had been a member and officer of the Experimental Aircraft Association for many years and was the Communications Chairman and Air Boss for the Virginia EAA State Fly-in.

In addition to his love for all aspects of aviation, Gordon loved the outdoors. He was as much at home on his tractors as he was in the cockpit of his plane. Gordon's neighbors will remember him as the guy who cultivated their vegetable gardens in the spring, brought feed for their horses, and cleared their roads of snow during the winter. His tremendous generosity is legendary among his friends. He would be very pleased to know that his memory is being honored as part of this lovely building which is a tribute to the wonderful history of flight.