Please join us on Saturday, June 22, at 6:00 p.m., at the Museum of Flight's Red Barn to raise a glass, have some snacks, and tell all your favorite Jerry stories. Attendees will have admission to the museum that day, so if you'd like to be added to the list, please let me know.
Museum of Flight
9404 East Marginal Way
Seattle, WA 98108
Peggy Riedinger, peg-riedinger@live.com
Gone West - Jerry Riedinger
By Jim Bourke, IAC president
May 19, 2024
May 19, 2024
I am very sorry to report that Jerry Riedinger, husband of Peggy Jordan Riedinger passed away last night in an airplane accident. Jerry was flying a friend’s Extra 300L from Arlington to Ephrata, Washington. The accident occurred near the western edge of the Snoqualmie Pass.
Jerry was known by everyone as a humble and conscientious aviator. He was an inspiration to many in his sport of passion: aerobatics. Jerry flew in the upper levels of competition, served as an aerobatic judge, was a frequent contest director, served on the IAC’s government relations team and mentored many. Jerry was also a prolific philanthropist who donated widely to aerobatic causes.
Jerry has many friends who will remember him for a long time for his positive and pragmatic approach to problem solving. He traded in dry, witty, astute observations always delivered with a little twinkle in his eye.
Professionally, Jerry was an experienced intellectual property lawyer. But to everyone who knew Jerry outside of work, Jerry was a pilot’s pilot. An aviator of the highest caliber and distinction.
I first met Jerry over fifteen years ago. He helped me get my start, like he and Peggy helped so many others. He was my go to person for any challenging issue because he was so willing to take time to understand everyone’s perspective before delivering sage advice. I told Peggy on the phone today that many people know about Jerry who have never met him because I’ve been telling Jerry stories for such a long time. He wasn’t madcap or effusive, but he was funny as hell, sometimes in a beautifully intellectual way, and I never had or imagined I could have a bad time in his company. I will miss him terribly and I know I’m not the only one.
My deep condolences to the many people who will miss him.
Jerry was known by everyone as a humble and conscientious aviator. He was an inspiration to many in his sport of passion: aerobatics. Jerry flew in the upper levels of competition, served as an aerobatic judge, was a frequent contest director, served on the IAC’s government relations team and mentored many. Jerry was also a prolific philanthropist who donated widely to aerobatic causes.
Jerry has many friends who will remember him for a long time for his positive and pragmatic approach to problem solving. He traded in dry, witty, astute observations always delivered with a little twinkle in his eye.
Professionally, Jerry was an experienced intellectual property lawyer. But to everyone who knew Jerry outside of work, Jerry was a pilot’s pilot. An aviator of the highest caliber and distinction.
I first met Jerry over fifteen years ago. He helped me get my start, like he and Peggy helped so many others. He was my go to person for any challenging issue because he was so willing to take time to understand everyone’s perspective before delivering sage advice. I told Peggy on the phone today that many people know about Jerry who have never met him because I’ve been telling Jerry stories for such a long time. He wasn’t madcap or effusive, but he was funny as hell, sometimes in a beautifully intellectual way, and I never had or imagined I could have a bad time in his company. I will miss him terribly and I know I’m not the only one.
My deep condolences to the many people who will miss him.
