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Peter Reynolds Obituary

Reynolds, Peter T. "Pete," 69, the former head of flight testing at Bombardier Learjet, died peacefully on April 10, after a courageous battle with cancer. Pete was one of the most experienced civil jet pilots in the world and a loving and devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife Becky, son Todd (Meredith) and daughter Kelly. Pete was born May 25, 1944, in Panama City, Panama to the late Vince and Maude Reynolds. His sister, Lynn Reynolds Price, and brother, Steve Reynolds, also preceded him in death. Pete graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Engineering and received his MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado in Boulder. After he served in the United States Air Force as a Pilot in Vietnam and an Instructor Pilot in the States, a visit to a friend brought Pete to Wichita. He went to work at Gates Learjet Corporation as a Production Test Pilot, which began an illustrious career that spanned four decades. Pete quickly moved from Production Test Pilot to Project Test Pilot, then Manager of Learjet Engineering Flight Test. He played a major role in the development, testing, and certification of every Learjet model for more than 30 years, spending his last eight years at Bombardier as Vice President of Test Flight. In that position he managed 500 employees and was responsible for all flight testing conducted on Canadair, deHaviland and Learjet products. Pete was an active test pilot with over 13,000 flight hours and over 10,000 flight test hours. He was type rated in 12 business jets and airline aircraft. Pete flew maiden flights on eight Learjet models, from the Learjet 24E to the Learjet 40, and holds numerous world speed records. Five of those were set with Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, in the Learjet 28-001 on February 19-20, 1979. Reynolds and Armstrong set records for time-to-climb, altitude and altitude in horizontal flight. Pete's career was highlighted with numerous awards and accomplishments. In 1983 he was the only General Aviation Pilot to be a Finalist in NASA Space Shuttle. In 1992 he received the Kansas Governor's Aviation Honors Award. In 1993 he was elected a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. In 1999 he received the Society of Experimental Test Pilots J.H. Doolittle Award for outstanding achievements in aerospace engineering and technical management. Pete retired from Bombardier in 2003 and formed PTR Aero, providing flight test consulting services to airframe manufacturers and major aircraft modifiers worldwide. This new venture allowed Pete to travel the world with Becky and their children, visiting all seven continents. When his illness prevented his going on a planned African Safari, he vicariously lived the trip through the photos and stories his son Todd shared. From the frigid glaciers of Antarctica, to tropical rainforests, to the historic cities of Europe, Pete documented his travels with his discerning photographer's eye. His spectacular photography captured the essence of wildlife, natural beauty and manmade wonders. Friends say Pete could go anywhere in the world with a pair of khakis, a pair of jeans and his camera in his flight bag. Of his many accomplishments, Pete was proudest of his family. He and Becky married in July of 1977 and have two children, Todd and Kelly, as well as 4 nephews and 1 niece. Becky was Pete's best friend for nearly 40 years, and all one had to do is see the gleam in Pete's eye when he talked about his kids to know they were the pride of his life. Both Todd and Kelly are graduates of the University of Kansas and the Reynolds family became passionate KU basketball fans, traveling to many games in Lawrence as well as the Final Four in 2008. Pete will be inducted posthumously in the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame at the Kansas Aviation Museum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. Fittingly, memorial services will be held at 2:00 on Wednesday, April 16 in the Lee Aviation Hangar (south entrance) at the Stearman Field Airport in Benton, KS. Memorials have been established with Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780 as well as the Peter Reynolds Endowed Scholarship Fund at the Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 Fairmount St. Wichita, KS 67260-0002. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Online tributes to the family via www.dlwichita

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Published by Wichita Eagle on Apr. 13, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Reynolds

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Greg and Jean Gibson

April 18, 2014

Sorry for your loss,our Prayers are with you.

Wade Miller

April 18, 2014

Pete was a great man, married to a great wife, and raised great children. He succeeded in life by every important metric you can think of. Those who knew him were better people because of it.

Belinda Atteberry

April 17, 2014

Becky,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

AM Seiler

April 16, 2014

I just want to send my condolences to Kelly and her family during this time of immense grief. I met Pete once over a year ago and he seemed like a really great guy. From the stories I've heard, it sounds like he was one of a kind. He'll live on in those stories, unforgotten by the many lives he touched. Cherish those memories you have with him.

Sally Liebst

April 16, 2014

Love and prayers during your difficult time.

Dagni Anders

April 15, 2014

Dear Becky, Todd, and Kelly,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Pete. I knew Pete in the 1960s when he and my late husband Dale were friends and shared an office at the University of Colorado. Pete was instrumental in Dale becoming a private pilot. We kept in touch with Pete after they both finished graduate school and Dale went to work for Cessna. When Pete got out of the Air Force, he came to visit us here in Wichita, and decided to interview with Learjet, and the rest is history. What an outstanding career Pete had! I'm proud to say that I knew him "way back when"! May God comfort you as you grieve his passing.

Janet & Dana Davis

April 15, 2014

Becky & Family;
Dana & I are terribly saddened by Pete's passing. We pray you will be able to heal from this loss. Dana & I worked with Pete off & on for many years at Learjet, in fact, Pete, along with John Plunket, took me on my first & only Lear test flight. That was a few years ago. Our sympathies.

Patrick Strunk

April 15, 2014

Becky and Family,
Sorry for your loss of Pete. We and many others are indebted to him for the opportunities and trust he provided. He encouraged excellence and knew the importance of celebrating accomplishment with his team. We will cherish the memories forever.

Charlie Traffas

April 15, 2014

Dear Becky and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Pete was a wonderful and brilliant man. If there is anything I can do...at any time...now or in the future...please call.
Sincerely,

Alan and Isabella Bailey

April 15, 2014

Dear Becky and Family,
We were greatly saddened to hear about the loss of Pete, husband, father, and friend who inspired confidence and achievement. Kindest regards.

Doug Stephen

April 14, 2014

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

Allen Goodwin

April 14, 2014

To Pete's Family,
We cannot imagine all the ways you will miss Pete. We only know that you will. Those who live lives that are larger than life leave big holes behind. We trust that Pete is now soaring at altitudes he could not even have imagined. God has granted him rest and peace from the turmoil of his illness. We pray the same for you. He lives on in your hearts we know and in the legacy of his body of work as well as the lives he influenced. I am among the privileged to have considered him the finest of colleagues and a friend.

Norm & Charli Allee

April 14, 2014

Becky and Family,
So sorry to learn about Pete. He will be missed. May God bless and comfort your family. -

Harry Simpson

April 14, 2014

Rest Peter, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.

Thank you for your service to this nation.

Lisa & Jeff Fetter

April 14, 2014

Becky and Family-
Our deepest condolences on the loss of Pete. He was a great guy and an honor to know him. May he rest with no pain now. God bless you in this tough time.

Munro Dearing

April 14, 2014

Pete was a great person in all respects. I enjoyed knowing him both professionally and socially. My deepest sympathy to your family on your loss. The flight test community has lost another great pilot.

Jim Dornbusch

April 14, 2014

Pete was a great associate and provided me countless support during the Model 45 design and certification program. He was very professional and technically capable at all times. Generally always right. We flew several flights together. He will be missed. My prayers go out to the family.

Nathan Lachendro

April 14, 2014

Pete was a great friend and mentor. I will miss him greatly. A great father, husband and engineer and after my own father, someone who I take inspiration from in modeling my life and career.

Jack and Sue King

April 13, 2014

Becky and Family,
So sorry to learn about Pete. We remember a cheerful, easy going guy, with a great grin. May God bless and comfort your family.

Tim Kemph

April 12, 2014

I'm am deeply moved by the loss of your loved one. I spent many flights and trips with Pete as a mechanic. I did and will always have the most respect for him a pilot and a great man. Miss you Pete. Forever Tim Kemph

Darryl L Irion

April 12, 2014

Sorry for your loss. Pete was a great man and it was a honor to know him. Dad and I know first hand what its like to lose a loved one to this terrible disease. God bless.

Dilman Morris

April 12, 2014

Barbara and I were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolence.

Ralph hertel

April 12, 2014

he was an intregal part of Learjet legacy.

Darryl Irion

April 12, 2014

Becky and children. I`m so sorry for your loss.

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