Donald George Gilbertson

Pioneer Alaska pilot Donald George Gilbertson, 78, died March 14, 2007, in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
A celebration of life will be at 3 p.m. May 11 at the Fairbanks Elks Lodge.
He was born June 27, 1928, in Havre, Mont., the only child of George Gilbertson and Gladys "Toots" Stamey Gilbertson.
Don was a very well-respected pilot and aviation entrepreneur with many firsts in the industry. Don accumulated almost 30,000 hours before he was 50 years old. He began his career as a bush pilot for Al Wright in 1949. Don then flew for Hawley Evans. Don flew for Trans Ocean Airlines for a short period overseas. He started flying for Wien Airlines in 1953 and flew for Wien for several years. In 1967, Wien co-workers Don and Jimmy Anderson went into business together "firebombing" with two B-25s.
Don designed and test flew the first civilian fire bomber in 1970, a DC-6B, otherwise known as "Delta One." Don was in the first class of captains to check out in the Lockheed L-382 "Herc."
Don was a childhood friend of the late Gov. Bill Egan and helped him successfully campaign for governor in 1970. Don and good friend Holger Jorgensen took turns flying a Lockheed Learstar in the Bush, where they campaigned with Bill that fall.
In 1972, Don started Pacific Alaska Airlines and managed PAK into a very successful cargo business. In the early 1980s he went on to become president of Western Airlines and was instrumental in setting up the Salt Lake City hub.
Don was credited for bringing the Dehavilland Beaver into the 21st century by having a cargo door designed for the Beaver. He was an active pilot until the last year, and his life and his stories were always about flying.
Don most loved the family cabins at Fielding and Healy lakes. Don and his sons built the new cabin at Healy Lake in 1977 along with longtime friend Kay Virgin.
Don was a lifetime member of the Pioneers of Alaska, Fairbanks, and a Quiet Birdman.
Don and Nancy enjoyed the annual Alaska Super Bowl party in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., this year and in the past with all their Alaska friends. Don had maintained a winter home in the desert for most of the past 40 years.
Don is survived by three children and six grandchildren, all of Fairbanks: Robbie, Danny (Marguerita)and Dawn (Craig) Thompson; grandchildren, Ryan, Nichole and Kristin Thompson as well as Derek, Gabrielle and Shayne Gilbertson; and many other relatives including cousins, Aubrey Bruning, June (Bunts) Watkins, Helen (Jim) Miller, John (Leslie) Pentland, and George (Marge) Pentland; as well as Leslie Soderling and dear friend Nancy Rosin..
The family especially thanks friends and caregivers Dr. Eric Jenson and Nancy Rosin.
His ashes will be spread over Healy Lake.
Donations may be made to the Palm Springs Air Museum in his name: 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

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