My father was a pioneer of flight. Born Arthur Sigvald Severson on November 7, 1909 (within 6 years of the Wright Brothers historic powered flight -- Old Kunnel) in South Dakota he was truly a man of courage. At age 19 he bought his first aeroplane (a Curtis-Wright Pusher Plane), climbed into the cockpit and taught himself to fly on his father's ranch. He hunted coyotes for bounty in the Black Hills of South Dakota, did some "barnstorming", flew the first mail route from South Dakota to Oregon and, was an aeronautical instructor at Rankin Acadamy in Tulare, California serving in the Army-Air Corps. He later purchased the Albany Airport and taught civilians how to fly. My father loved the freedom of flight. . . . . . .the challenge of the unknown/uncharted piece of sky. . . . . And he talked about "flying by the seat of one's pants" and "wing walking" and most of all accomplishments. Although my father is forever in the sky that he loved so much I feel blessed knowing him. His legacy lives on by his wonderful example of courage. He used to say that one must set a goal and do it. It was a simple philosophy but great advice from my mentor, my dad. . . . .
Thoughts by: Barbara Jean Severson (daughter).