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Tom Wardleigh 1928 - 2004
 Tom began his aviation career as an apprentice mechanic in Seattle at Pan American Airlines. During WWII he became an aviation machinist mate in the U. S. Navy. After the war he attended University of Washington as an undergraduate, later his full involvement in aviation began at Kenmore Air Harbor in Seattle. Tom came to Alaska in the early 50’s and worked at the Anchorage Aviation Division of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for several years before going to work at the Alaska Civil Aviation Agency (now FAA). A progression of appointments and experience in the many types of aircraft, that now range up to small jets, contributed to his record of in excess of 33,000 flight hours.
Tom was in great demand as an advanced instructor plus and  he was recognized as one of few multi-engine sea (Grumman in particular) instructors. He has Chaired the Foundation to its current recognition as an outstanding aviation safety organization. Tom was the first pilot to receive the FAA’s first Master Pilot Award honoring his fifty years of dedicated service to aviation safety in Alaska.
Tom also received one the most significant awards in US Civil Aviation, the FAA’s Award for Distinguished Service.
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