Alfred E. Fleener

1931 - 2015

Alfred Eli Fleener, born Sept. 2, 1931, in Richmond, Calif. to Ulysses S. and Grace Fleener, passed Nov. 23, 2015, age 84, at home. Al arrived in Nome, Alaska, on June 6, 1946. He left Nome to attend Laney Trade and Tech in Oakland, Calif., for Aircraft Mechanic Cert. with Airframe and Powerplant Rating. He worked at various aviation maintenance businesses until his career with the Federal Aviation Administration began in 1959. Linda Hartmann also worked for FAA. They married on Aug. 5, 1961, in Sublimity, Ore. at St. Boniface Catholic Church. He retired as a FAA Airworthiness Inspector in 1995, with 38 years of civil service. He received the Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award in 2006, for dedicated service, technical expertise, professionalism and many outstanding maintenance contributions towards aviation safety. In retirement, Al enjoyed rebuilding airplanes, volunteering at the Aviation Museum, making airplane models and traveling with Linda. He was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska and Life member of the Alaska Airman's Assn. Al is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Linda; daughter, Beth (Tim) Trout and children, Spencer, Cooper and Madeline; son, Dan Fleener and children, Connor (Korrin) and Garrett; daughter, Sonnet (Phillip) Calhoun and children, Aleks (Tyler) Smith, Sydne (Tony) Adams, Eli Fleener, Erin Fleener, Hunter Calhoun and Ian Calhoun. Al's grandchildren have fond memories of traveling Alaska, flying, camping, fishing, dipnetting and building things in the garage with their Grandpa. Friends remember Al's generosity with his time and his skills, his ability to make people feel welcome in his Alaskan home, the mischievous twinkle in his eye and the way he loved his wife and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, half-brothers, Elbert "Rusty" Fannon, Nick Fleener; and son, Brennen Fleener. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 8110 Jewel Lake Road, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. Reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice. A celebration of life will be held, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., at the Alaska Aviation Museum, 4721 Aircraft Drive.