Floyd Friesen

A few years after he retired from the Navy, I visited Floyd in Fullerton. I had just begun my efforts to become a private pilot and asked why he did not continue to fly after leaving the Navy. He said that after landing on a short and narrow runway that bobs up and down and lists to the left and right at over 200 knots, that then landing on a long wide stationary runway at 70 knots just does not provide the same satisfaction. I was humbled as my own experiences did not quite reach the same level of excitement.

A few years later, I visited Floyd again in Fullerton. This time he was excited to tell me of his new hobby of flying ultralight airplanes out from a strip near Idlewild Ca. Ultralights are even slower than the Cessnas that I was flying. I asked him if he remembered the conversation that we had about private aviation, and did not. I retold the story then he offered that flying in cloth airplane without a cockpit, where the wings flop about like they are about to rip off and you land in an open seat that is barely 6 inches off of the ground there is some excitement.

Thank you for your example of living life fully.

My moments with FF were brief but lasting. I see the wonderful attributes he has passed down to his children. I could only hope to live such a full and decorated life. He will live forever as bolo ties will never be out of style and FF will remain in our hearts

-F.J. Jr.

Dad was a list maker and always had a list of chores (vacuuming, cleaning mirrors, dusting, raking leaves, etc.) for us when he was stationed at home when we were young. After we finished, he always rewarded us with a trip to the local 7-11 for a treat as a reward - one candy of our choice, or a slurpee when it was hot. He had a BIG sweet-tooth, and I think passed it along to all of his children!

Recall Leslie Friesen family trip to east coast from Illinois in 1973. Dad wanted to connect with Floyd in Virginia Beach. Remember thinking ironically they had 5 children too. Floyd invited us to the naval base there.
Everyone has my condolences during this time. May God give you strength and courage as you continue on your life's journey. Sincerely, Nonis (Friesen) Beauchmp, Sterling, IL.

I met Floyd while I was dating his daughter, Debbie, in High School (Kempsville HS in Virginia Beach). I was in Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (NJROTC) in high school and Floyd, who was the Executive Officer (XO) of the USS Independence aircraft carrier at the time, invited me to be his guest for a week of carrier qualifications where aviators from all of the carrier squadrons get re-qualifed to land aboard the ship. As quest of the XO, I had the run of the ship. We would meet everyday and discuss what I had discovered with Floyd adding context. And I was his guest at the head table in the Wardroom (Officer's dinning room). That was a life changing event for me as Floyd saw me eventually marring his Debbie and becoming another carrier aviator (as Floyd was except he flew a much more challenging aircraft to land on a carrier deck). Thank you Floyd for being kind and generous!

When Floyd was 15 and I was 7 we were farmers living south of Rock Falls. Roy Megli and John Wiens purchased the only twine tie baler in the area and hired Floyd to drive John's tractor to bale hay from Walnut to Penrose. He got his hand cought in a belt/pulley of the baler, got a splint, and continued baling.