Al Sheehan at the age of 100 and with a trainer in 1944.
At 100 years old, Alfred Sheehan, a decorated World War II pilot, is preparing to take to the skies one more time at the Wings and Wheels Open House at Minden-Tahoe Airport.
Sheehan’s life story includes flying B-17 and B-24 bombers during the war, as well as flying aircraft such as the DC-6 and Boeing 747 for Pan Am.
Sheehan grew up on his family’s farm in Oregon. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and became a flight instructor. During World War II, he transported aircraft and trained other recruits to fly B-24 bombers.
After the war, Sheehan continued his aviation education and became a flight engineer for Pan American Airlines, according to an article in the May 21 issue of the Nevada Appeal.
“His position enabled him to meet politicians and celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers, Shirley MacLaine, John Wayne, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby,” the story says. “He was flight engineer on the plane that brought the Beatles to America for the first time on February 7, 1964.”
Sheehan and his first wife, Kathleen, had two children, Larry and Terry. He later adopted a third child, Linda. The Reno Air Races attracted Sheehan and his current wife, Susan, to Nevada and they moved to Reno in 1973 and later to Carson City.
The new senior living facility “Minden Integral Senior Living” is scheduled to open in Minden in early 2025. Sheehan’s dream of flying again will soon come true.
On Saturday, five veterans, including future Valage resident Sheehan, will fly in restored World War II aircraft during the “Wings and Wheels” event at Minden-Tahoe Airport.
Sheehan’s dream flight was made possible by ISL’s flagship program, Livin’ the Dream, which has been enriching people’s lives since 2013.
Another local couple will go on a trout fishing trip to Bridgeport Reservoir on August 30th.
Karen Malekos Smith, Valage’s director of sales and marketing, will speak at the opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
