Kip Alfred Frank Chaput

Kip Alfred Frank Chaput, 89 years of age of Brampton, Ontario on December 13, 2024 at Inglewood Ontario surrounded by his family.

At his request there will be no funeral or celebration of life.

Kip was born in Mattawa Ontario to Fred and Sybil Chaput on November 8, 1935. They moved to Sudbury shortly after, which is where Kip grew up. His years in the Royal Canadian Air Force gave him many great memories and numerous wonderful friends. He joined Air Canada in 1965 and retired as Captain in 1995. His pride and joy was his Cessna 180 CF-NRO which he was still flying in 2023 in the Lake Penage area.

A wonderful story teller and tough fighter pilot to the end he is survived by his sons, Kent (Cindi) of Georgetown, and Kip (Lydia) of Edmonton, his grandson Kristopher (Alex) and great granddaughter Klover of Flamborough. Sadly missed by Eleanor Colbert and Terry and Susan Wright.

He is predeceased by his wife Anne, his parents Fred and Sybil and his brother Lee.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Bethell Hospice in Inglewood.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Bethell Hospice (bhf@akaraisin.com).

Russell Charles Bennett

Russ passed away on 9 January 2025, nine days before his 90th birthday, at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building in Halifax. Born on 18 January 1935 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Russ was the third of five children to Cedric and Evelyn (Robertson) Bennett.

Despite his many accomplishments, Russ was a humble man who commanded attributes too numerous to list. He will be remembered for his wide-ranging intelligence, insatiable curiosity, and razor-sharp wit. His thirst for excitement and adventure led not only to a long and storied career in aviation, but also the pursuit of diverse hobbies and interests as well as exploits too numerous to mention. His life-long adventures were shared with Myrna, his devoted wife of nearly 70 years, who loved his “cheeky smile” more than anyone.

Russ met Myrna in the RCAF, which he joined in 1952 at age 17. Russ first completed basic training at RCAF Station St. Jean, Quebec, before trade training as an airframe technician at Camp Borden, Ontario, after which he was posted to RCAF Station Trenton.

In 1954, Russ applied for remuster to aircrew. A short course at the RCAF Officer Training School in London, Ontario, was followed by flying training school at RCAF Station Penhold, Alberta, to begin the nine-month pilot training course on the Harvard aircraft. Upon graduation, he was commissioned at the rank of Pilot Officer and trained on T33 jets at the Advanced Flying School in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. After earning his wings, he was posted to Gimli, Manitoba, as a flying instructor. In 1956, Russ was transferred to RCAF McDonald, Manitoba, to serve as an instructor at the Advanced Flying School. Following successful training on the F86 Sabre at Chatham, New Brunswick, Russ was posted to France, where he flew with 430 Fighter Squadron from 1959-62. The Sabre, Russ always said, was his favourite plane. His subsequent transfer back to Canada included a two-year posting to Gimli, followed by Training Command Headquarters in Winnipeg.

In 1966, a formation aerobatic team was formed to celebrate Canada's centennial in 1967. Russ and eight other pilots formed the Golden Centennaires, who would later become Canada’s renowned Snowbirds aerobatic team. Flying the technically challenging “slot” position with the Centennaires, Russ performed at 125 air shows in Canada along with a dozen more in the US and the Bahamas.

After the Centennaires disbanded, Russ converted to flying the CF101 Voodoo before serving on 416 Squadron in Chatham, NB. His Voodoo flying from 1968 to 1971 was followed by his “flying a desk” with a ground tour as the CFB Chatham Base Administrative officer and a three-year tour in Lahr, West Germany, from 1973-76. Posted to Shearwater, NS, in 1976 and promoted to LCol in 1977, Russ was appointed Commanding Officer of 880 Tracker Squadron, a position he held until 1979, when he transferred to National Defence Headquarters, and retired from the military in 1982 after thirty years’ service.

Russ then applied his expertise as a Civil Aviation Inspector with Transport Canada, where his fourteen years of service included five at the Atlantic Region HQ. During his years with Transport Canada, he was employed in a variety of roles that included training and check pilot, aircraft accident investigation, and fisheries and pollution patrols off the east coast of Canada, flying DC3s “200 feet off the deck.” During his long and distinguished career as an aviator, Russ flew multiple types of aircraft and accumulated 8,535 flying hours.

Russ and his loving wife, Myrna (McNutt), are the proud parents of four children: Natalie Drover of Ottawa (Paul), Lyn Bennett of Halifax (Trevor Ross), Rob Bennett of Ottawa (Sandy Sharkey), and Sue Bennett of Halifax (Andy Dunn). They also have six grandchildren Jennifer McMillen (John) of Exeter UK, Sarah Phillips (Landon) of Dallas TX , Eve Court (Dan Mathers) of Vancouver, Russell Court (Katie Isenor) of Halifax, Emily Court (Shane Storozuk) of Vancouver, and Nora Dunn of Halifax. In addition to their loving grandchildren, Russ and Myrna have five great-grandchildren, Lily and Connor McMillen, Hollyn and Brynn Phillips, and Caroline Court. Russ was predeceased by his parents, Cedric and Evelyn, much-loved siblings Lillian Fraser, Gordon Bennett, Kathleen Fraser, and Margaret Bennett, as well as his nephews Timothy Bennett and Daryl Fraser and niece Margaret Fraser (Colborne). Russ is survived by his special sister-in-law, Katie, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family flowers only. Donations in Russ’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia.

Peter Stephen Francis

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Peter Stephen
Francis on January 4, 2025 in St Albert, Alberta at the age of 80. Peter
passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness.
Peter was born in Victoria, British Columbia. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF) earning his wings in October 1966 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Peter served as a member of the RCAF for 29 years. His career with the military included postings in Chatham, New Brunswick with the CF101 Voodoo Fighter Jets; in Edmonton, Alberta with the Buffalo 440 Squadron, 435 Hercules Tactical Airlift School and as the 435 Hercules Squadron Commander; in Egypt with the Buffalo 116 ATU Squadron in support of United Nations operations; at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba at the 3 CFFTS Flying Training School and Musket Gold demonstration team; in Winnipeg,
Manitoba at Air Command Headquarters and Lahr, Germany with 1 Air Division and Base Operations.
Following Peter's retirement from the military in March of 1995 he continued to work as a corporate pilot for the next 16 years.
Peter was an outstanding military member who was devoted to his family,
friends and the community. In his spare time Peter loved to golf, fish and
support his community, teaching elementary students at the Air Museum,
volunteering on various Boards and at the St Albert Senior 's Centre.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Sharon Francis (Bowden) of 52 years. Peter was predeceased by his parents Bud and Dorothy Francis and sister Allison (Suzie) Kellett (Brian) whom he loved dearly. Peter will be fondly remembered by his beloved sisters-in-law, brothers in law, nephews, nieces and the many friends who have provided love and support during this difficult time.
Thank you to the staff at the University of Alberta Hospital Medical
Outpatients Unit, Diagnostic Imaging Recovery Room and Dr Mang Ma for the outstanding care and support over the past five years. The family would also like to acknowledge the Emergency Department and Unit 15 who provided exemplary care for Peter during his most recent time at the Sturgeon Community Hospital.

A Celebration of Life for Peter will take place in the spring of 2025.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the St Albert Food Bank or the St Albert
Salvation Army in Peter's name would be appreciated.

Robert McKendry Obituary

Robert (Bob) McKendry

18 June 1934- December 21, 2024

Bob was the fourth of six children born to John and Mary (Mullan) McKendry in Calgary, Alberta and was the last surviving member of that remarkable family. He left this world peacefully at age 90 on Saturday December 21, 2024, and is survived by his loving wife Renate and his two great children Audrey (Kevin) and Robert (Cathy) as well as three outstanding grandsons, Joseph, Brant and Benjamin and his great granddaughter, Violet. One of Bob’s early interests was automobile and he was an enthusiastic stock car racer in the infancy of that sport in Calgary during the early 1950s. He traded stock cars for fighter jets in 1957 when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was selected for training as a navigator on all weather interceptors. During his 31 year career he spent several tours on the CF 100 aircraft in both the interceptor and electronic warfare roles. Bob maintained the view throughout his life that joining the RCAF was the best decision he ever made because it became the gateway to an exciting life that resulted in he and his family living in various parts of Canada, the USA and Europe. He always said that the most significant highlight of this era was that he met Renate, who would later become his wife, while he was stationed at 4 (F) Wing in Baden Soellingen Germany.

Bob retired from the air force in 1987 when he was accepted for a position with NATO’s International Staff at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He served with NATO in this capacity for 12 years and witnessed the end of the cold war during that time. He was pleasantly surprised to find that with the end of the cold war his work became even more interesting as NATO began its dialogue with countries that had been members of the Warsaw Pact as well as several former Soviet republics who had now gained their independence.

Bob retired from the international Staff in 1999 at age 65 and he and Renate returned to Canada where they made their home in Kingston, Ontario. They had many happy years there, rediscovering Canada, getting together again with old friends and Bob’s family members but above all, spending more time visiting with the children and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Bob’s Life will take place on Friday, December 27, 2024 from 2pm to 4pm at The Reception Centre of James Reid Funeral Home (1900 John Counter Blvd, Kingston). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society of Kingston.

Online condolences may be made at www.jamesreidfuneralhome.com

Len Sturch

Len Sturch passed away on 4th November 2024, at Kenwyn Rest Home and Hospital in Te Aroha, New Zealand, in his 87th year.

Born in London on 21 May 1938, Len joined the RCAF on 12 April 1957. He graduated from 2AOS Winnipeg on 22 April 1958 as an Air Observer/AL.

After graduating Course 66, at the Cold Lake CF 100 3 AW(F) OTU on 15 January 1959, he joined 416 AW(F) Squadron in Montreal in February 1959. In July 1961, Len was posted to Bagotville Operations, where he remained until being posted to 423 AW(F) at 2(F) Wing at Grostenquin, France in October 1961, during the NATO build up at the beginning of the Cold War.

Len then moved to Uplands, Ottawa, Operations, until he left the RCAF as Flight Lieutenant Sturch on 3 October 1964, together with many others.

After leaving the RCAF, Len travelled to Sydney, Australia, where he worked for QANTAS for 18 months, before moving to Auckland, New Zealand to fly with Air New Zealand as a navigator. Len met his wife, Elizabeth while flying with Air New Zealand, and they had two children, Robert and Kate.

Len built a number of yachts in the late 70s and early 80s, most notable the trimaran Banshee, which won a number of races, and Peregrine II. Len and his family sailed Peregrine across the Pacific in the early 80s, with Len using the celestial navigation skills from his RCAF days and AirNZ, to navigate from Auckland to Seattle and return.

Len continued his love of travel, visiting his family in England, and many friends in Canada through the years. He spent his life learning, inventing and exploring, and spent many hours building things for others in his workshop both in Auckland and in the Waikato.

Len is survived by his son Robert (Sarah) and two granddaughters Harriet and Hazel in Sydney, Australia, and his daughter Kate (Terry) and grandson Max in Canberra Australia.