Johann Erlendsson

Johann Erlendsson, a retired aircraft maintenance specialist and FAA Inspector passed away Thursday, September 3, 2009, at age 69. Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, Johann was the eldest son of Erlunder Johannsson and Asta Thorgrimsdottir. Johann studied aircraft mechanics at Northrop Institute of Technology in Los Angeles and returned to Iceland to work as a certified air mechanic for Iceland's regional airline Flugfelag Islands (Air Iceland). This certification and various technical school certifications for aircraft and helicopters would lead him to positions with East African Airways in Nairobi, Kenya , U.S. Naval Base in Barrow, Alaska and Continental Airlines as an FAA Inspector. He founded Scandia Aero Traders, Inc. and Hemisphere Avia. Johann traveled abroad as an Aviation Consultant. Johann received the FAA's prestigious 1976 Aviation Maintenance Safety Award for the Alaska region. He received his U.S Citizenship in 1978. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kjartan Erlendsson. Johann is survived by Corinne Vonberg of El Paso; his brother, Hoskuldur Erlendsson of Reykjavik, daughters, Agusta Johannsdottir of Reykjavik and Elina Erlendsson of Arlington, Virginia, and son, Gunnar Johannsson, of Reykjavik 9 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be September 17, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina. Memorial service will be at 7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Chapel. Burial will be in Reykjavik. The family requests donations to the Humane Society of El Paso, 4991 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso, TX 79906 or at www.hselpaso.org. Services under the direction of HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME wwwhillcrestfuneralhome.org, 1060 Carolina Drive, 598-3332.