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Ellsworth Getchell Obituary
May 1935 - Nov 2020
San Jose, CA
Ellsworth Hovey Getchell of San Jose, California passed peacefully on November 28th 2020 in a Grass Valley retirement home at the age of 85-years. Born and raised in Belmont, Massachusetts, Ellsworth attended Belmont High School. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Tufts University where he played football under coach Woody Grimshaw. Ellsworth joined the U. S. Army in 1954, serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in Germany. He earned the rank of Staff Sargent and section leader with a heavy weapons company specializing on the 105mm recoilless rifle. His return to Tufts University after military service was interrupted by an intense interest in Parachuting. An early pioneer of the sport of skydiving, Ellsworth co-founded two skydiving clubs: the Cambridge Parachute Club (now MIT Skydiving Club) and the Medford Parachute Club, aka Jumbo Jumpers. He performed skydiving demonstrations throughout the northeast until a significant accident in the summer of 1959. In 1962, Ellsworth graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Aeronautics. His career included a stint with American Electric Power as a power plant design engineer and thermodynamicist. Ellsworth joined Transworld Air Lines in 1966 as a Flight Engineer then Co-Pilot on the Convair 880 and later the Boeing 707. He retired from TWA as a Boeing 727 captain in 1995, at the age of 60-years. Ellsworth was twice married. The enduring love of his life was the Hawker Sea Fury he purchased in 1974, which he restored, maintained and flew for over 45-years. Ellsworth performed at airshows throughout North America and was an original member of the U. S. Navy Tailhook Legacy Flight. Ellsworth logged over 29,000 flight hours, including 2,500 hours in his Sea Fury and in the P-51D Mustang. He is survived by distant relatives and beloved by his friends and comrades. It was Ellsworth's desire that his worldly resources be dedicated toward the continued maintenance and operation of his Hawker Sea Fury as well as the support of promising students in aviation and the sciences. The Ellsworth Hovey Getchell Foundation was created to ensure his legacy lives on.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ellsworth Getchell
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
Elias `Eli´ Cotti
May 22, 2023
My sincere condolences to Getch´s family and friends on his passing.
I treasure the times we got together to speak about VW´s and SeaFury. Fortunately, I have many photos as keepsake of our good time together.
Lynn (Williams) Norris
November 14, 2022
So sorry to hear of Getch's passing. I was a clerk typist in the department where Getch worked. He was quite a character and he always talked about planes. RIP Getch.
Fay Wenger
August 29, 2022
Just saw this. You were a true aviator. You understood the love of warbirds and our look of awe at that majestic aircraft. Wind beneath your wings Getch.
Elliott Pisor
October 12, 2021
Sorry about Getch. He consulted me many times with legal issues and repaid with inside stuff about the P-51 when I was president of California Warbirds. RIP, old Hawker jockey.
Marcel Grenier
January 1, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Dennis Newell
January 1, 2021
An icon at Hollister, California KCVH Picture is Ellsworth and his love, Hollister, CA September 2003 in front of Jerry Gabe's hangar.
Jan Johnson
December 31, 2020
Getch is flying high. I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with him. He taught me so much - about flying, and about life.
December 30, 2020
My sincere sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May our God who comforts those who mourn grant you the strength and courage you need during this difficult time. God cares for you and is near to all those calling on him.
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