Larry TOBIN

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Capt. Larry Tobin. He was born February 6, 1942, in Seattle, and passed peacefully October 25, 2025, in Spokane.

Larry hailed from a family of pioneers in aviation. His grandfather smuggled whiskey, during prohibition, from Canada to Spokane in an empty fuel tank on his Eagle Rock airplane. Larry was affectionately known as the "Mayor of Felt's Field" due to his extensive involvement in all things Felt's. His family homesteaded Felt's Field and the property was deeded to them by President Harrison in 1890. As a child, Larry swept hangars at Felt's in exchange for airplane rides….and so the aviation seed was planted.

In 1966, Larry became an airline pilot for TWA, and during a 31-year span flew the 707, 727, MD80, 747, 757 and 767, retiring in 1997. In 1961, Larry married Mary Sue "Suzie" Magnuson and together they raised three children. The 1970s were spent with Larry juggling commuting and finding time to take the whole family of go-kart racers around the PNW, California, and Canada on weekends to compete in races.

Larry married Barbara Cullen in 1986, and they shared a wonderful life of motor homing, Gonzaga basketball, and flying the B-24/B-17 Bomber tours until her passing in March 2025.

Larry was a person with endless energy who restored Stearman aircraft during retirement, completing his eighth plane this summer. Larry walked away from a horrific engine failure crash in the Columbia Gorge in 2008, and became a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award in 2017.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Kay Williams; and brother, Bob Tobin. He is survived by son, Michael Tobin (Angie), grandsons, Zak Kovalcik & Cody Tobin; daughter, Shelley Bancroft, grandson, Jeremy Gresser; and daughter, Nancy Ireland (Glenn), granddaughters, Nadia & Natalie James. Surviving siblings, Roger Layton, Kathy Corbin, Steve Layton, and Doug Layton.

A special thank you to extended family Jim & Bernie Miller, wingman Addison Pemberton, Dave & Nancy Holmes, Jeff & Martha Hamilton, Tony Blum, social director, Marc Lange, as well as the Felt's, Jack & Dan's and Gonzaga families.

Please share your memories of Larry on his tribute wall at www.hennesseyfh.com.