Walter Alfred Bradshaw

1943 - 2024

Walter Alfred Bradshaw, 81, flew west on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

Walter was born on February 21, 1943, in Staten Island, New York to 1st generation Dutch mother (Nan van der Bundt) and Irish/Swedish 2nd generation New York native John Alfred Bradshaw.

Walter initially lived in Staten Island on Sherman Avenue with other family, Dutch friends, neighbors and his two sisters; Trudy and Dorothy. He was baptized at the Brighton Heights Reformed Church, in 1955 and attended NYC public school 16 (John J. Driscoll) in Staten Island.

The family later lived at the Naval Air Station in Sanford, Florida during World War II and eventually relocated to Pompton Plains, New Jersey. Walter attended Pequannock Township High School, participated in Boys Scouts, enjoyed working on hot rod cars, and attended the First Reform Church. After graduation in 1960, Walter enrolled at Utah State University in Logan Utah, and joined the Air Force ROTC.

Walter began his flying career at Logan-Cache Airport in Logan, Utah. He obtained his private pilot license, as well as Instrument and Commercial certificates, while also providing flight Instructor and contract flying services.

Upon obtaining a Mechanical Engineering Degree, Walter was offered pilot jobs with Trans World Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. He accepted a job with TWA two days after graduating and initially flew as a flight engineer on the Boeing 707 on around-the-world routes.

Walter was then drafted to serve in the Vietnam War on July 6, 1965, and served two years at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, Arizona as an Airman.

Walter returned from service to his flying career with TWA on the following aircrafts: Boeing 707, Boeing 720, Boeing 727, McDonald Douglas D-9, McDonald Douglas MD-80, Lockheed L10-11 Boeing 757, Boeing 767 and the Boeing 747 as a First Officer then qualified to be a Captain at age 27.

Walter started Cheshire Airways Airline and FBO in 1975 and in 1982 Walter worked as a TWA pilot contracted to BWIA West Indians Airways in Trinidad, flying the 707 to England.

Walter married, former wife, Jill Singewald in 1971 and moved to SW New Hampshire. He fathered Chad Bradshaw in 1977.

He married, former wife, Jayna Rhoades in 1983, became stepfather to Chris McPherson and Angel McPherson, then fathered Alexandra Bradshaw in 1988 and Charles Bradshaw in 1990. Walter later married Margarete Krause in 2019.

In 1994 he relocated to Punta Gorda, Florida and in 1999 he designed and constructed the family cabin in Gilford, New Hampshire.

Walter retired from TWA as an International Captain on the 767 in 2000 after 33 years of commercial flight service, but continued daily pilot examinations for the FAA along with corporate flying services as a contract pilot under his company Airline Transport Ratings Incorporated through 2023. He specialized in Citations, Gulfstreams, Cessna jets, Learjets, King Airs, amphibious aircraft and Seaplanes.

Walter was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting big game and birds, fishing, snow skiing, and boating with his captain's license and merchant marine certifications. Walter enjoyed travel, adventure, social gatherings, storytelling, and helping others. He belonged to the VFW and Elks Lodge.

But above all else, Walter enjoyed flying and teaching others to fly, amassing over 500+ ocean crossings and 50,000+ hours operating aircraft during his life.

He will be deeply missed by his large family and his many friends.

Surviving Immediate Family: Chris McPherson (stepson) & Tia McPherson, Grand Children: Joshua McPherson & Jakob McPherson, Angel Maquar (formerly McPherson) (stepdaughter) & Greg Maquar, Grand Children: Gregory Maquar, Great Grandchild; Emory Maquar, Grand Children: Braydon Maquar, Great Grandchild Josette Maquar & Beaux Maquar, Grand Children: Anthony Maquar & Alex Maquar, Chad Bradshaw & Erin Bradshaw, Grand Children: Brooks Bradshaw & Ford Walter Bradshaw, Alexandra Floyd (formally Bradshaw) & Travis Floyd, Grand Children: Boone Floyd, Charles Bradshaw & Victoria Bradshaw, Grand Children: Cullen Bradshaw & Camden Bradshaw.

Survivor Sisters: Trudy Berardi (formally Bradshaw) & Butch Berardi, Dorthy Myers (formally Bradshaw) & Rogers Myers.

Predeceased by Margarete Bradshaw (formerly Krause).

A Graveside Service with military honors will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 12:00 pm at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303, with a gathering to follow at Emerson Aviation hanger at 118 Kimball Rd, Gilford NH, 03249.

Donations in lieu of flowers: www.veteransairlift.org, www.southwings.org, www.rmef.org