Ronald E. Schleining
Ronald E. Schleining, a proud member of the Oregon Pilots Association passed away July 3, 2004 after a valiant 6 month struggle with cancer. He was a long-time member and past-president of Columbia Aviation Association as well as the Oregon Pilots Association. He loved flying and the many friends he made over the years while enjoying this pastime. He used to say that only another pilot could understand the joy of flying or just hanging out at the hanger for the afternoon.
No one loved a good joke (and some not so good jokes) more than Ron. And he loved telling them! He seemed to know someone every where he went and everyone who knew him considered him a good friend. You were never a stranger more than a few minutes because he somehow always knew your Dad, cousin or next-door neighbor.
Ron is survived by his wife Carol, sons Randy & Russell, daughters, Ronnie, Renée & Robin, grandchildren, Nicole, Danielle, Margie, Hank and great-grandson Andrew.
Thank you,
Renée Zollitsch
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Al Mandelkow passes unexpectedly
June 15, 2004 Al Mandelkow, OPA member from the Lebanon Chapter passed away unexpectedly. Al was born in Klempin Germany on September 10, 1941 and immigrated to Oregon as a child with his family under the sponsorship of a local Luthern Church.
Al was a cropduster and A&P mechanic, with an incredible talent for sheetmetal. Al moved back to the Lebanon area in 1991 with his wife Carolyn after living in Colorado. Al and Carolyn were both active in the Lebanon chapter after joining in 2003. It was an honor and privilege for chapter members to help Carolyn, daughter Alicia and son Aaron through a difficult time, holding a fitting memorial service for Al at the airport on June 19, 2004.
In Carolyn's words, "There is no place Al would have been more comfortable."
Al's many friends are grasping for ways to fill the void left by the passing of a genuinely happy person, a man of great personal integrity and a mechanic that had few equals. We are all glad to have become part of Al's family.
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