Founder Of The Tom Wathen Center At Flabob Airport

ANN has learned that Tom Wathen, the founder of the Tom Wathen Center at Flabob Airport, has gone west.

A notice posted on the Flabob Airport Facebook page June 20th reported his passing. "With the deepest sorrow in our hearts, we regretfully inform you of the loss of our dearest friend Thomas W. Wathen. We send our prayers & deepest condolences to the Wathen Family," the notice says.

"If it wasn’t for Tom, none of our lives would be connected to each other, for he brought us together as a family at his beloved Flabob Airport."

According to The Wathen Center website, the nonprofit organization is "dedicated to education through aviation. Founder Tom Wathen believes that aviation is a powerful stimulus to learning, especially the vital STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"The Tom Wathen Center, beginning in 2000, has offered a growing number of programs of instruction, using aviation to stimulate an interest and competence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with a special emphasis on aeronautics and on developing a sense of civic obligation and leadership. These programs have been offered to students ranging in age from pre-school through post-secondary, emphasizing secondary-school students.

"The programs of instruction are related so as to build a continuity of learning, starting with simple concepts and progressing through increasingly sophisticated subject matter, all designed to use the fascination of flight to inspire the love of learning for successful careers and satisfying lives."

A second notice on Facebook indicates that there will be a celebration of Wathen's life held at the airport on Thursday June 30, 2016 at 5 p.m. (PDT) in the Stits Hangar 16A.

E-I-C Note: Tom Wathen was the gentleman's gentleman... an uncommonly principled and focused man who gave much tot he aviation world, and a great man to have as your friend. We will be sorely missed -- Jim Campbell, ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief

(Image posted to Facebook)

FMI: http://www.flabob.org/wathen.php