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Tue, Nov 11, 2014

Gone West: Evergreen Aviation Founder Delford Smith

Company Began As Evergreen Helicopter In 1960

The founder of the Evergreen Aviation companies, which included the Evergreen Air and Space Museum in McMinnville, OR, has passed away.

The Oregonian reports that Delford "Del" Smith, 84, died sometime last week. Authorities were alerted to the death on Friday, which is normal when someone dies outside a doctor's care, according to the paper. Investigators did not find any evidence that that his death was suspicious.

Evergreen Aviation has had its share of troubles in the recent past. The company, which began under Smith as Evergreen Helicopters in 1960, grew into a worldwide freight and passenger airline, and included the Evergreen Air and Space Museum. But the airline and several other of the subsidiary companies filed for bankruptcy in January, and the Evergreen campus in McMinnville is for sale.

Funeral arrangements for Smith have not been announced.

FMI: http://evergreenmuseum.org/

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