Commentary; Posted: 7/11/07
FL lost a good man in Tom Doherty
Rick Ashbach
Guest Columnist
Forest Lake lost a good man; good to his family, friends, community and country.
Those that knew Tom Doherty heard endless stories of his aviation chronicles. Matter of fact we heard so many it was hard to keep track, we also knew we would hear them again.
The man and stories were timeless. When weather kept us from flying, Tom’s stories held us over until the rain ended or the wind subsided.
Tom Doherty served his country well during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During his service he flew missions around the world for all three wars, including the glider campaign in Burma. He received many medals for his actions during times of war and for his years of military service.
On one occasion he did not return from a reconnaissance mission. After several days, and assumed missing in action, fellow pilots and crewmen were saddened.
While others were thinking the worse, Tom was using every skill (new and old) to repair the engine and other damage to get back to base, which he did.
Tom was an aviation pioneer. Growing up in St. Paul near West 7th and St. Clair he quickly became enamored with the airplanes flying in and out of Holman Field. He spent as much time as possible there watching all the airplanes and action. Soon he started helping mechanics repair airplanes, and then earned enough to take lessons.
This started a remarkable career in aviation. He didn’t stop at just earning a private pilot certificate and keeping aviation a hobby. He earned certificates for flying gliders as well as commercial, instrument, and instructor certificates. Matter of fact, he earned his helicopter certificate right along with Charles Lindbergh.
Not only was Tom certificated to fly almost any aircraft in any weather condition, his log book recaps an endless journey of flights and flying machines. Flying was second nature to Tom.
His experiences made him at home in the cockpit, and made his lessons invaluable.
For nearly 40 years Tom found Forest Lake home. He, along with his wife, Kay, and her son, Dan, operated the Forest Lake Airport. In the early years he worked at Minnesota Air National Guard by day.
Then in the evenings and weekends he trained pilots, flew charter flights, and repaired aircraft. After retiring he started flying fire watch for the DNR.
Two years ago he received the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award recognizing him for his lifetime of service and contributions as an aircraft mechanic. Looking back it’s amazing to think he had time to share all the stories.
Though his life was full and his spirit of flying fulfilled, his contributions went beyond aviation and to the benefit of our community. He was always there to help with local efforts for youth, police, and fire.
But the most significant community contribution he, along with his wife Kay, made was the sale of their large landholdings to the Town of Forest Lake 10 years ago. That sale has given our community hundreds of acres for ball fields, walking trails, and nature areas.
It has allowed the airport to remain as well as providing land for the new library, government center, ice arena, and a future community center.
Their decision not only provided land for all of these recreational amenities but will help build them as well.
They wanted more recreational options for families and made it happen. In dollars and cents they are the largest benefactors Forest Lake has ever known and most likely will ever know.
For decades Tom Doherty made sure youth picking airfields rather than ball fields learned the same valuable lessons in life. He gave of himself to the hundreds stepping foot onto the airport to experience flight, and now his contributions to community will continue for generations to come.
Our community has lost a good man, and a good role model. May we forever remember him!
The writer is former city council member who now serves on the airport commission. He is also a pilot.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605