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Bill Rusk Flies Us Off Into the Sunset and on to New Adventures!

sj

Staff member
Northwest Arkansas
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We had the privilege of flying on Bill Rusk's last flight as a captain on SWA last Friday and a fun weekend in Sandpoint to boot. Bill spent 29 years flying for Southwest, and he was joined by a number of us from Denver to Spokane. The approval for the water cannons came out the day AFTER the flight, but it was a great day to fly and to celebrate Bill.

I know it almost goes without saying what an incredible resource Bill is to so many folks at SuperCub.Org. Congratulations, Bill and thank you for your years of service to us here at SuperCub.Org also!

sj
 

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Bill's 85 year old mom was one of the many dignitaries on board for the flight!
 

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Congratulations Billy,
Good luck on your next adventures, and thank you for your continued Super Cub support. I appreciate your help.
John Egan
 
Congratulations, Bill. Enjoy your retirement. It's not as bad as you might think :wink:
 
Congratulations Bill! You now have your choice of any of those 'special' projects you've been thinking about.

Web
 
Congratulations Bill! Now that you have all this time (;-)) we need to get together this summer in Nampa. Job well done my friend.
 
A special day for a very special person. Best wishes for lots of future adventures in retirement! Hearty congratulations Bill. Thank you also for being an exceptional resource for all of us here on SuperCub.org.
 
Thank you Steve, and everyone. WOW......what an incredible, FUN, and great way to go out!! And also very humbling. That so many folks took a HUGE chunk of time (and money) out of their lives to be with me at this moment. The last flight turned into a three day party, and what a great time I had, and I hope everyone else as well.

I can't possibly thank you guys enough. You have made my life so fulfilling. I cherish and value your friendship so very much. THANK YOU!!

More pictures....

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Steve and Laura in the Denver waiting to board the last flight. Denver to Spokane SWA flight 2901


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Ken and Naomi. I flew F-16's with ken. He is my longest close friend. There were so many Cub folks at the party he made the comment he felt a little out of place because he did not have a cub and had not been to Alaska. It was a pretty funny moment. I did manage to give Ken a front seat ride in my Cub on floats while he was here, and Naomi a back seat ride.

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My mom at 85 made it. My sister and her two boys (nephews) as well. Unfortunately my other sister was not able to come for health reasons. She was there in spirit.

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My party help did a great job of making the hangar feel warm and decorating it. Mike and Susie helped as well


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Our resident medical doctor, Randy and Julie, were there. We have adopted each other as brothers.


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I got to choose my first officer for my last flight. I was honored that Garth was willing to keep me out of trouble on the last run. He had to work hard. LOL
 

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Gary gave a bunch of rides in his beaver and everyone had a GREAT time. He is a great tour guide. Thank you Gary!!!

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Rides and smiles. Mona, June, Kimmie, and Julie. Photo by Sherri. Five beautiful ladies. Gary is a lucky man. LOL


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I gave a few rides as well, not as many as I should have.


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The leaves were at prime, and we were Blessed with a couple of nice days.
 

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Hopping rides


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I think we wore SJ out. LOL

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My friend Wanda got a front seat ride. I'm trying to explain how the avionics work.


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One last time up the jetway.

Thank you all again. I have been very Blessed to be a part of this group, and to fly for Southwest Airlines.

Bill
 

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Congrats Bill, Now the pressure is off, the real fun begins! 8) The next 20 years will go by faster than you think.
 
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Proof that it was a greaser!!! LOL


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Except my First Officer, he gave me a 9.9. The rating system was from Buck Wyndham. Great fun.
 

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Congrats, Bill! We all know you have a lot of passions whether they be airplanes or motorcycles. Now you will have time for them all.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org
 
It was such a pleasure and honor to board Bill's last flight as Captain for SW Airlines. What an emotional flight for Bill! It was my first time flying on SW, and it was a pleasurable experience from start to finish.One of the amazing things about this trip was the terrific people who came to celebrate the occasion. We literally sat around Bill's hangar for 3 days, and we enjoyed every moment. He has some really nice friends, many of them Supercub.org people, but what we all had in common was a love for this amazing man. How awesome it was to have our 85 year old Mom on his last airline flight!Congratulations, Bro. A job well done.Randy
 
Congratulations, Bill! This is a well-deserved celebration and retirement.

Anne.
 
Attaboy Bill, I retired 22 years ago and still wonder where it all went. When I was working, I was always tired.
Now I’m re-tired……
 
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