The Central Florida Buccaneers



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Last Update 07/28/10

Latest News

Dora Quick
Dora Quick, wife of the Buccaneers historian, and NAL maintenance manager, F.A. "Bud" Quick suffered a stroke on July 15 and passed away on July 21, 2010 peacefully in her sleep. Bud and Dora were married in London 65 years ago. They have a daughter, two sons and a number of grandchildren.

There will be a Grave-side service for Dora Quick in Crozet, Va. Aug, 7 at 11 am. The ervice will be at the Rockgate Cemetary located between Crozet and Yancy Mill, VA on US Route 240.

Bud sends his love to the whole National Family that he has been a part of for so long and thanks everyone for the support he has received over the years. His new address is:
Bud Quick, 8006 Bannock Drive, Larkspur, CO. 80118 Phone 303-681-2817 E-mail is; bdqolflyr@fastmail.fm

Bob Thrasher

Bill Bruner
Bill Bruner died Saturday June 12th at age 92. Bill retired from National Airline after more then 40 years of service, last in the position of Superintendent and Director of Aircraft Shops in Miami. He was in the Engineering and Maintenance Division for many years.

The family will hold a memorial service for him on Monday June 14th, 2 PM in the First Presbyterian Church,
724 N. Woodland Blvd.
Deland, Fl.

F/A Kathyrn Grinos
Kathy (Redmond) Karoly Grinos, NAL, PAA and retired DL flight attendant passed away April 4, 2010 from natural causes. She had some health issues and died in her sleep, for which her daughter was very grateful.
Her daughter could use some comfort by hearing from the sisterhood of flight attendants who knew her and have words of sympathy and love. Send your cards to:
Amy Romeu, 203 Greenfield Drive
St. Johns, Florida 32259

Capt. John Lasseter
John Alexander Lasseter, 70, of the McAlisterville PA area, passed away at his home on March 31, 2010. Born March 16, 1940 in New York, he was the son of the late Jack and Rosemarie Lassetter of Deerfield Beach, Fla. Surviving are his wife Hendrina Prill-Lasseter, his son and daughter-in-law Jason and Eden Lasseter of Boynton Beach, his sister, Jayne Lasseter of Titusville. John grew up in Massapequa Park, Long Island where he was an alter boy of the Episcopalian Church.

He spent his high school years at the Carson Long Military Academy, of New Bloomfield. He went to Fort Bragg to train as a parachutist in Special Forces, and was based in Germany. After the military he went to Miami to study architectural engineering, but changed course, and became an airline pilot for National Airlines and later flew as Captain for Pan American World Airways, when he and his wife, an in-flight purser, met on a flight from London.
During his flying career, he held the position of pilot in command on the Boeing 727, 737, 747 and the Airbus 310. Privately it was his joy to fly with his life-long friend Don Delamar, also a pilot, and deliver supplies to out-of-the-way places in Alaska. At age 55, he decided to make another dream come true, to return to Pennsylvania to retire. He adored his wife, was very proud of his son, who is also a pilot, loved his dog and cats and enjoyed to travel.

Capt. Wiliam "Bill" Archer
July 7, 1923 - March 5, 2010 William B. Archer of Miami passed away peacefully on March 5th, 2010, at Baptist Hospital. He was 86 years old. Bill Archer succumbed to complication of treatment for leukemia. He was originally diagnosed in 2003 with myelodysplasia, a bone marrow disease, leading to leukemia in late 2009.

Bill fought a positive, energetic, determined and courageous battle, coming so close to beating his illness. Bill was the most beloved husband to his wife Gloria, recently celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. He was the most devoted father to his children, who all survive him: Patricia Ann Archer of Miami, James Douglas Archer, and his wife Sandy of Round Rock, Texas, and William Bruce Archer and his wife Roxanne of Miami. He was a loving grandfather to Michelle Archer, Mackenzie Archer, Skyler Archer, Alexandra Archer, and Samantha Funk. He is also survived by his sister, Lynda Bader of South Carolina, many nieces and nephews, and preceded in death by his sister, Toni Mintzer. Born in East Point Georgia near Atlanta, Bill grew up, working to support his mother and sisters, in the Great Depression. As a teenager in the late 1930's, Bill was fascinated by airplanes and volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol, where he received his very first flying lessons. In high school he joined the ROTC and was president of his high school senior class. When he joined the Naval Air Corp in 1941, he entered flight school and excelled as an aviator. Earning and receiving his commission as a Naval officer, he proudly served his country in wartime as a flight instructor at Pensacola Naval Air Station. After WWII, Bill Archer remained in the Naval Reserve and returned to Atlanta where he married Gloria Bruce, entered Emory University to study journalism, and worked for the Atlanta Constitution as a cub reporter. Quite unexpectedly, Bill was offered a job as a pilot with one of the new airlines forming after the war. Joining National Airlines in 1946, he moved with his new wife to Miami where they began their family. During his thirty-seven year career with National, and ultimately Pan American Airlines, Bill participated in the phenomenal growth of the post- war airline industry. He began his commercial flying as a copilot on twin-engine Lodestars flying passengers around Florida, Gulf and Atlantic coast cities and Havana; He ended his career flying the latest and most sophisticated commercial aircrafts, the DC-10, mostly to London and Europe. In the late 1950's Bill Archer served as president of the local chapter of the AirLine Pilots Association. Later he took a position as one of National's supervisory "check pilots". During this 20 year period, one of his duties included developing training programs and instructing company pilots on new equipment like the Locheed Electra, Boeing 727 and finally the DC-10. He loved his work and set a high standard for excellence. Bill Archer ea rned the respect and admiration of all who truly knew him, for his keen intelligence, uncompromising integrity, and dedication to always be the best he could be at whatever he did. He loved the western tales of Zane Grey, and the poems of Kipling, and Robert Service. He had a wonderfully wry wit, and was known for his engaging and entertaining speaking and story telling. He will always remain a strong and guiding inspiration to his children, family, and friends. For over fifty years, Bill was involved and participated in supporting Haven Center, and in recent years, Friends and Families of Sunrise Opportunities, serving in past years as treasurer. A celebration of the life of Bill Archer will be shared with a gathering of family and friends at 1:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday March 18th, 2010, at Van Orsdel Funeral Chapel, 11240 No. Kendall Drive, Miami, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the non- profit Supporters of Sunrise, Inc., 6101 SW 90th Court, Miami, Fla. 33173, and organization helping special needs children and adults. View this Guest Book at www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.

Capt. Weldon Ezra "Wellie" Ropp
Age 97, passed away Feb. 8. 2010 from natural causes. He was born Feb. 19, 1912 in Fostora, Ohio. In 1930 he began his lifetime love of flying. He managed Airports and was in the Army Air Corp Ferry Command in WWII. He went to work with National Airlines from 1947 to 1972 and retired as a Captain on the DC-8. He was instrumental in the formation of the Sun & Fun Fly-In. He was a lifetime member of the FAA, Seaplane Pilot Ass., Ox5 Club, Quirt Bird Men, Antique Airplane Association and the Warbird Association.

He was also inducted into the Gulf Marine Racing Hall of Fame for his achievements in the 135 Inboard Hydro Class. He is survived by his brother, sister, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A Memorial will be conducted on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 3 pm to 6pm at Jack Brown's Seaplane Base in Winter Haven, Florida.. Arrangements under the direction of Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven, FL.

Joyce Gompf - Wife of Capt. Tom Gompf

GOMPF, Joyce Boedeker, 69, of Plant City, Fla., departed this life January 22, 2010. She was a member of Plant City' s First Baptist Church, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, Eata Theta sorority, Christian Women' s Club of Plant City, Plant City Tennis Association, and Walden Lake and Lone Palm Country Clubs. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Philip Thomas.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Thomas Gompf; children, Dr. Timothy Gompf (Dr. Sandra Gompf) of Plant City, Tracey Gompf Russell (Mark) of Lakeland, Fla.; grandchildren, Chase, Juliana, Holt, Trey, William, and Faith Joyce; brother, Dr. John E. Boedeker (Judy); nieces, Kelly Johnson, Lynelle Vaughan and Marianne McMillin; and many other loving family and friends. Memorial contributions may go to J. Boedeker Ministries, Inc., 412 Gingerbread Lane, Waxahachie, Texas 75164. Expressions of condolence may be sent at www.hopewellfuneral.com

F/E Ray Lund

Passed away Tuesday the 19th. No further information is available.

Capt. Edmund Buchser Jr.

Buchser Jr., Edmund, 87, retired Lt. Colonel, United States Marine Corps, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, passed away, January 10, 2010. Lt. Colonel Buchser is survived by his wife of 31 years, Patricia Lynn (Guerin) Buchser, originally from Webster, MA; a daughter, Barbara Belle Barber and her husband, R. Todd Barber and their two children, Anna and Jake, of Holliston, MA; a son, Edmund Buchser III and his wife, Carole Buchser, and their three children, Kathryn, Andrew and Ryan, of Chatham, NJ; a brother, William J. Buchser, and his wife, Polly Buchser, of Evansville, IN.

Born in Owensboro, Kentucky on April 4, 1922, the son of Edmund, Sr., and Lavon Askins Dowell Buchser, the family moved to Tel City, IN, shortly after his birth. He graduated from Tell City High School in 1940 after being Co-Captain in football and basketball his senior year. He entered Western Kentucky University in the fall of 1940 and signed up for U.S. Navy Flight School in January 1942, where he was sent to Navy Pre-Flight School at University of Georgia at Athens. After Primary Flight School at Naval Air Station St. Louis, Missouri, he performed Flight Training and Final Squadron Flight Training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, graduating in July 1943. He was "checked-out" in F4U "Corsair" aircraft in MCAS El Toro, CA. In January 1944, he was assigned to squadron VMF-115, on Emirau, Northern Solomons, commanded by Major Joe Foss. Lt. Colonel Buchser flew 101 combat missions in the South Pacific and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses. In the years after World War II, he was an instructor in Advanced Fighter Training, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, was a member of the U.S. Navy Flight Exhibition Team (later known as the "Blue Angels") and spent 3 years as an air traffic controller. After being recalled to active duty in 1951, Lt. Colonel Buchser spent a year aboard aircraft carriers USS F.D. Roosevelt and USS Tarawa flying F2H-2 Banshees. In 1952-53, he was transferred to airfield K-3, Po'Hang Dong, Korea, MAG 33, VMF-115, flying F9F Pantherjets on 87 missions, including Strike Leader to Pyongyang (North Korean capital), earning him his third Distinguished Flying Cross. As Provost Marshall, he received a Bronze Star with a Combat V for relieving an Air Force Radio outpost under attack by guerrillas. From 1953 to 1956, he was Commanding Officer of several squadrons and chief test pilot for 3rd Marine Air Wing for fighter and attack aircraft. On release from active duty in 1956, he joined Douglas Aircraft in Production Test for the A4D-1 "Skyhawk" until joining National Air Lines later that year as a co-pilot in various aircraft. He was promoted to Captain in 1967, in B-727s, and qualified Captain on DC-10s in 1975. Pan American World Airways merged National Airlines in 1978, and he continued flying DC-10s and the Miami Dolphins charter 727s until retiring from PanAm and the U.S. Marine Corps as Lieutenant Colonel on April 4, 1982. After retirement, he engaged in flying, fishing and hunting. He hunted and fished in 19 states and 18 countries, including 9 African Safaris, 21 trips to New Zealand, and "The Glorious Twelfth" in Scotland for grouse and red stag deer, and he developed a successful hunting camp in Georgia for wild turkey and white tail deer. Life Member of Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, USMC Aviation Association, Military Officers Association of America, National Rifle Association, Quiet Birdmen, Safari Club International, African Safari Club of Florida and other outdoors-related organizations. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either 'The Conservation Fund' of the African Safari Club, P.O. Box 452043, Sunrise, FL 33345-2043; or the US Marines Toys for Tots Foundation, http://www.toysfortots.org/donate/tribute-donation.asp, or mail your tribute donation in Lt. Colonel Edmund Buchser Jr.'s name to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Gift Processing Administrator, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172. . Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. www.fredhunters.com

Guion Oakes "'Guy" Eells

Guion "Guy" Oakes Eells, age 69, of Banner Elk passed away on Monday January 4, 2010 at his residence. Guy was born June 8, 1940 in Oakland, CA. the son of Dr. John S. Jr. and Juliet Oakes Eells. He received his Bachlor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Guy was a member of the United States Air Force where he was a fighter pilot who flew 209 missions while serving in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross along with the Silver Star. After serving his country he worked as an Air Line Pilot for Pan American World Airways. Guy was a member of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. In 1995 he started the Thanksgiving Boxes for needy families. He also served on the Banner Elk Planning Board along with the Banner Elk ABC Board. He enjoyed jazz, bluegrass music and playing drums. He was an avid reader and historian and was into computers.

Left to cherish his memories are: his wife, Jean Brun Eells of the home; his two daughters and sons-in law; Juliet and Joseph Kramek of Burke, VA and Deborah and Daniel Walsh of Springfield, VA; one sister, Marion Eells of Charleston, SC; four grandchildren, Daniel Kramek, Dylan Kramek, Connor Walsh and Kellen Walsh. Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.

NATIONAL AIRLINES BUCCANEER MEMBERSillP RENEWAL FOR 2010

It is once again time to renew your membership in the National Buccaneers. Due to a change in the by-laws, full membership is now offered to ALL former employees of NAL, and their spouses. We ask that dues be paid by March 31, 2010. Early mail in would be greatly appreciated as it will save the cost in both time and money to send out reminders. Our expenses have increased somewhat so we are asking that the dues increase to $20 per year. The dues cover the cost of producing and mailing the newsletter and some costs relating to the annual convention. Please make the check payable to the National Airlines Buccaneers and include it with this form.

MAIL TO:
National Airlines Buccaneers
P.O. Box 120835
Clermont, FL 34712