A tribute to Captain Jack Kettler

Members of the old Salt Lake City domicile as in other domiciles will always allege Omar as one of their own, 
Captain Jack Kettler, an outstanding person and outstanding pilot. 
With Jack’s patience and perseverance, he gave freely of his many talents, 
often instructing fledgling pilots to solve the mysteries of flying the Rocky Mountain Empire in a DC-3.

How well he’ll be remembered for those jaunts he enjoyed in prospecting the rugged Wah Wah Mountain Range in western Utah. 
Jack was at his best when roving the great outdoors, or up there in the blue looking down on his beloved Wyoming. 
For those pulling gear for him, they acquired a love for it and him too.

Not often enough does that someone come along who leaves a legacy imprint that the rest of us want to ponder and reflect upon. 
Jack was that kind of person. In our hearts there will never be another to fill the empty void vacated by Jack. 
When sharing a cockpit, the sun always shone bright, and all was well. 
He never talked about himself or tried to impress, he didn’t have too. 
His record speaks for him in the many aircraft he flew, and the veteran pilot he was, leaves a lasting legacy. 
Crew members could sense the confidence he held within, and the commitment to his work and dedication to his fellow pilots.

Yes, there will be those who will attempt to emulate him, but what Jack had was that something 
that sometimes comes in a lifetime to make that individual outstanding. 
The clouds will continue their stay over the Rockies, the sun will continue to shine on the Mountain Empire, 
as will the memory of Captain Jack L. Kettler.

-Tex Searle
(3/3/03)