Patrick Packard

PATRICK H. PACKARD, 90 A LEGEND IN AVIATION ART ROCKFORD - Patrick H. Packard, 90, EAA 5926, grew up in Wisconsin and died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, in Rockford. He was still painting in 2008, his work familiar to aviation enthusiasts throughout the country. Pat served as director of exhibits for the EAA Aviation Foundation and spent more than 14 years involved in the design and construction of the EAA Museum at Oshkosh, Wis. In the late '90s, he was one of the original founders of the Poplar Grove Wings & Wheels Museum at the Poplar Grove Airport. He was also involved in many civic organizations including the QB's and was instrumental in inspiring the city mural project in Omro, Wis., the Fox River Steamboats artistry project and paper designs such as Steve Wittman's "Hardly Abelson." From age 12, his primary interest was aviation. He soloed at age 16 in an American Eaglet. He joined the Army Air Force in 1943 and served until 1946 in the Pacific. After military service he was hired by Lockheed Aircraft as a sales executive and spent 20 years there until becoming curator of the Donald Douglas Museum in Los Angeles. In 1975, the famous Spruce Goose was to be scrapped. Pat created a scale model and with the help of a Los Angeles TV station, headed up a successful effort to salvage the historical Howard Hughes airplane. He enjoyed talking about his involvement with Howard Hughes' attorneys, who hired him to inventory three vaults of memorabilia and logbooks. He never stopped painting historic aircraft. His detail and authenticity were legendary. No formal services are planned. Memorials may be given in his name to the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum, 5151 Orth Road, Poplar Grove, IL 61065. For online register, visit weltefuneral.com.