Don Ward

Sep 15, 1934 -

Dec 16, 2025

Don Ward was born in California and spent his early years – through high school - in California and working on the family farm in Utah. He was driving a tractor at the age of 7, much to the chagrin of his grandmother.

At the completion of high school and with university not an option Don decided to volunteer draft into the Army. Two years later, he began exploring options for career advancement as an Army officer. Deep Sea Diving or Helicopter Pilot: His choice led to a nearly 40-year career in aviation.

At graduation from flight school, Camp Rucker Alabama, he was the youngest candidate to date – 21.

Don served in Korea and as that event cooled, so did the need for helicopter pilots, meaning a move to the civilian side of aviation.

Don came to Alaska in 1959. He stayed. He was part of the cadre for a Helicopter Company in the Army National Guard. He completed 28 years of military service.

In his full-time job he flew for and managed a helicopter service. He set towers for transmission lines, transported engineers, surveyors, "pebble pimps" and a variety of others to otherwise inaccessible places.

His favorite flying was for Fish and Game. He loved the critters.

Don was laid to rest at the Ft. Richardson National Cemetery, where he can listen to the rhythm of rotor wings overhead.