Special Edition
August 16, 1999
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IN MEMORIAM Rene Van Biljouw On August 7, 1999, Captain Rene Van Biljouw, #40, succumbed to a massive heart attack in Missouri while enroute to his new home in Florida. Many of you are aware that while Captain Van Biljouw was a pilot here at Braniff International, he was also the Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Pan American World Airways. With Rene's passing, the virtual airline community has lost an invaluable asset. Rene's dedication to keeping alive the memory and spirit of America's "Chosen Instrument" placed him in an elite category of VA Chieftains for whom it was more than just a hobby. His experience, knowledge, and leadership will be sorely missed. Braniff International stands proudly with the men and women of VPA in honoring the memory of this great man and expresses its deepest condolences to his family and friends. |
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I never met Rene Van Biljouw face-to-face, but I still feel a deep sadness over his loss. Rene was the heart and soul of Virtual Pan Am, and I knew from the first contact with him that his love and enthusiasm for that airline matched, if not exceeded, my own for Braniff. His peers are people like Jaime Varela of Lone Star Virtual Airlines and Guy Caron of Northeast Virtual Airlines - people for whom the history was every bit as important as the future. And, in a way, his peers were also men like Juan Trippe, the man who built the real Pan American Airways into the symbol of America's global reach. Words cannot describe how much he will be missed. In honor of Rene's service to Braniff International as a pilot and ambassdor for the virtual airline community as a whole, his seniority number here at Braniff will be retired, never to be used again, and a permanent memorial to him will be placed on our roster page. |
VPA announced yesterday that a fly-in has been scheduled in memory of CEO Rene Van Biljouw on August 19, 1999 from 1700 to 1900 CDT. The fly-in will be from Logan International Airport in Billings, Montana to Gallatin Field in Bozeman, Montana - the two closest major airports to Rene's hometown of Livingston. Pilots who wish to participate can learn more about the operation of this fly-in on VPA's website here - just follow the links to the "fly-in" page. All Braniff International pilots are encouraged to join VPA and Alaska Virtual crews in this memorial fly-in. |
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Jeff Betro, Director of Special Projects for Virtual Pan American World Airways has informed us that a Memorial Service for VPA CEO Rene Van Biljouw has been scheduled for Saturday, August 21, 1999 in Rene's hometown of Livingston, Montana. The service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Mountain Time, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The address is: St. Mary's Catholic Church View Vista Dr. (There is NO address number, just the street) Livingston, MT 59047 (406) 222-1393 |
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Still shaken by the sudden and tragic loss of its founder, Virtual Pan American World Airways announced that the airline will remain in operation as a memorial to Rene Van Biljouw. In a statement yesterday on the airline's message board, VPA President Brandon Bostian said, "This is what makes my job so painful today. As President of VPA, I am suddenly expected to be the leader of this airline. Clearly, we will never be whole without Rene. He was the backbone of our organization. In remembrance of Rene, however, Virtual Pan American World Airways WILL continue to operate. My hope is to continue the dream that Rene had: a better airline that strives to provide the best flight environment possible for our pilots." With those words, VPA's new leader cemented the airline's mission to remain America's "Chosen Instrument" in the virtual skies. |
In memory of Rene Van Biljouw, Braniff International Chairman Kristopher Crook announced his intention to continue talks he had been having with Virtual Pan Am regarding a proposed interchange between the two airlines. "This discussion began between Rene and myself some months ago, but fell by the wayside as we each concentrated on our own airlines." Crook said. "However, in light of recent events, it would be wrong not to finish what he and I started. For that reason, I pledge to begin working with VPA as soon as it is possible on completing this interchange agreement." The proposed interchange would replicate the real one operated by Pan Am and Braniff between New York and Lima, Peru in the 1960's and 1970's. |
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