Zdenek ZIKMUND

ZIKMUND, Zdenek (Ziggy) CPSM, CD
Squadron Leader
Royal Canadian Air Force (Ret)
Colonel Czechoslovakian Air Force (Ret)
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing on September 2, 2014 of Zdenek, dear husband of 63 years of the late Jana (nee Trpak), beloved dad of Olga (Frank Van Zant) and Marcella (Dr. Stan Gertler), cherished grandfather of Mark (Robyn) and Daniel (Sheera) Van Zant and Madeline and Alexander Gertler as well as great- grandfather of Max (Mark), Ziggy, and Ruth (Daniel) Van Zant. He will be missed by sister-in-law Dasa Havelka of London, Ontario, her family and by numerous relatives in the Czech Republic. Born January 30, 1925 in Czechoslovakia, he spent fifty-two years of his long career in the Aerospace Environment; first in two Air Forces, then in the Public Service and finally in Industry. An Engineer and Czechoslovakian Air Force Academy Graduate, trained as a Fighter Pilot, he as a young officer flew the venerable Spitfire MK IX (during the war flown by Czech pilots of 310, 311, 312 and 313 Czech Fighter Squadrons in RAF) and Messerschmitt 109G (inherited as spoils of war). However, on March 13 1948, some two weeks after the Communist Coup d'Etat, he was cashiered from the Air Force for "negative attitude' toward the new Peoples Socialistic (i.e. Communist) Order. Escorted to military detention, he managed an early escape to US Occupation Zone in Germany and then, after spending several months with the Americans, immigrated in early 1949 to Canada. In 1952, after graduating with BSc/ENG degree he joined the RCAF and was granted Permanent Commission in the Technical List Aeronautical Engineering Branch. Retiring after 20 years he joined the Management of Ottawa's Division of Sperry Flight Systems and in less than a year, was invited to join the Department of Supply & Services, Military Aircraft Division, eventually attaining the position of Division Chief. After mandatory retirement at age 65, accepted the position of Canadian Representative for the Military Aircraft Division of the then leading German Aircraft Manufacturer MBB (Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm). The company was providing technical, maintenance and repair support to Canadian CF 104 and later CF18 Fighter Squadrons stationed at RCAF Bases in Germany. After final retirement in 1966 he remained with his loving wife Jana in Ottawa, maintaining a keen interest in aircraft and all military matters and continuing a close relationship with former Air Force colleagues and friends. He was a member of RCAF Association 410 (William Baker VC) Wing in Ottawa and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 632 in Orleans. A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated at the Annunciation of the Lord Roman Catholic Church, 2414 Ogilvie Road, Ottawa, on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 11 a.m. followed by Inurnment at the National Military Cemetery of Beechwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre Foundation would be appreciated.