OBITUARIES
Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ)
August 6, 2003
Stephen Bates, 54, of Phoenix, AZ died Thursday, July 10, 2003 in Cheyenne, WY as a result of an aircraft accident after experiencing an engine failure. The aircraft, a vintage twin-engine World War II German Heinkel HE-111 bomber, was the last flying aircraft of its type and was operated by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Steve, along with Neil Stamp, another volunteer CAF Pilot, departed Midland, Texas that morning en route to an air show in Missoula, Montana.
Steve, born June 25, 1949 in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, was a member of the New Clover Creek Baptist Church where services were held on July 17, 2003. Burial was in the Brickey Cemetery on the family farm near his birthplace in Kentucky. His parents, Charles Benjamin Bates and Maxie Keenan Bates, preceded him in death.
Steve was dedicated to his family and is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Laslie Bates; two sisters, Mary Ruth Tafoya and Karen Sue Bates both of Hardinsburg, KY; and two brothers, John Bates of San Diego, CA and Randy Bates of Phoenix, AZ.
Steve loved everything about flying and aviation, which is why he excelled in his 37-year profession. He served the armed forces during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Navy and later, after graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University concluded his military career as a U.S. Army Aviator in the UH-60 Blackhawk. Captain Bates had an eighteen-year career with America West Airlines, serving seventeen years as a Captain and Check Airman for both the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 in the Flight Standards Group. Steve was also a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and a FAA Certificated Airframe and Powerplant Inspector. As an active volunteer for the Commemorative Air Force, Steve was proud to be one of the few pilots rated to fly the historic B-17 Flying Fortress.
Steve will be remembered for his infectious laugh, unique sense of humor, twinkle in his eye, his never-ending array of hats and his gift of happiness he freely gave with a smile to everyone he met. Steve was deeply respected by his colleagues, friends and co-workers who remember him as a gentleman, a mentor and a true professional.
An informal memorial service will be held on August 9th at 4:00 p.m. at the Commemorative Air Force to remember and celebrate the lives and contributions of Steve Bates and Neil Stamp. The CAF hangar is located at Falcon Field in Mesa on the northeast corner of Greenfield and McKellips.
The Bates family request memorial contributions are made to the Commemorative Air Force--Arizona Wing, PO Box 2969, Mesa, AZ 85214.
Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ)
August 6, 2003
Stephen Bates, 54, of Phoenix, AZ died Thursday, July 10, 2003 in Cheyenne, WY as a result of an aircraft accident after experiencing an engine failure. The aircraft, a vintage twin-engine World War II German Heinkel HE-111 bomber, was the last flying aircraft of its type and was operated by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Steve, along with Neil Stamp, another volunteer CAF Pilot, departed Midland, Texas that morning en route to an air show in Missoula, Montana.
Steve, born June 25, 1949 in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, was a member of the New Clover Creek Baptist Church where services were held on July 17, 2003. Burial was in the Brickey Cemetery on the family farm near his birthplace in Kentucky. His parents, Charles Benjamin Bates and Maxie Keenan Bates, preceded him in death.
Steve was dedicated to his family and is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Laslie Bates; two sisters, Mary Ruth Tafoya and Karen Sue Bates both of Hardinsburg, KY; and two brothers, John Bates of San Diego, CA and Randy Bates of Phoenix, AZ.
Steve loved everything about flying and aviation, which is why he excelled in his 37-year profession. He served the armed forces during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Navy and later, after graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University concluded his military career as a U.S. Army Aviator in the UH-60 Blackhawk. Captain Bates had an eighteen-year career with America West Airlines, serving seventeen years as a Captain and Check Airman for both the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 in the Flight Standards Group. Steve was also a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and a FAA Certificated Airframe and Powerplant Inspector. As an active volunteer for the Commemorative Air Force, Steve was proud to be one of the few pilots rated to fly the historic B-17 Flying Fortress.
Steve will be remembered for his infectious laugh, unique sense of humor, twinkle in his eye, his never-ending array of hats and his gift of happiness he freely gave with a smile to everyone he met. Steve was deeply respected by his colleagues, friends and co-workers who remember him as a gentleman, a mentor and a true professional.
An informal memorial service will be held on August 9th at 4:00 p.m. at the Commemorative Air Force to remember and celebrate the lives and contributions of Steve Bates and Neil Stamp. The CAF hangar is located at Falcon Field in Mesa on the northeast corner of Greenfield and McKellips.
The Bates family request memorial contributions are made to the Commemorative Air Force--Arizona Wing, PO Box 2969, Mesa, AZ 85214.
OBITUARIES
Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ)
August 6, 2003
Stephen Bates, 54, of Phoenix, AZ died Thursday, July 10, 2003 in Cheyenne, WY as a result of an aircraft accident after experiencing an engine failure. The aircraft, a vintage twin-engine World War II German Heinkel HE-111 bomber, was the last flying aircraft of its type and was operated by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Steve, along with Neil Stamp, another volunteer CAF Pilot, departed Midland, Texas that morning en route to an air show in Missoula, Montana.
Steve, born June 25, 1949 in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, was a member of the New Clover Creek Baptist Church where services were held on July 17, 2003. Burial was in the Brickey Cemetery on the family farm near his birthplace in Kentucky. His parents, Charles Benjamin Bates and Maxie Keenan Bates, preceded him in death.
Steve was dedicated to his family and is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Laslie Bates; two sisters, Mary Ruth Tafoya and Karen Sue Bates both of Hardinsburg, KY; and two brothers, John Bates of San Diego, CA and Randy Bates of Phoenix, AZ.
Steve loved everything about flying and aviation, which is why he excelled in his 37-year profession. He served the armed forces during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Navy and later, after graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University concluded his military career as a U.S. Army Aviator in the UH-60 Blackhawk. Captain Bates had an eighteen-year career with America West Airlines, serving seventeen years as a Captain and Check Airman for both the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 in the Flight Standards Group. Steve was also a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and a FAA Certificated Airframe and Powerplant Inspector. As an active volunteer for the Commemorative Air Force, Steve was proud to be one of the few pilots rated to fly the historic B-17 Flying Fortress.
Steve will be remembered for his infectious laugh, unique sense of humor, twinkle in his eye, his never-ending array of hats and his gift of happiness he freely gave with a smile to everyone he met. Steve was deeply respected by his colleagues, friends and co-workers who remember him as a gentleman, a mentor and a true professional.
An informal memorial service will be held on August 9th at 4:00 p.m. at the Commemorative Air Force to remember and celebrate the lives and contributions of Steve Bates and Neil Stamp. The CAF hangar is located at Falcon Field in Mesa on the northeast corner of Greenfield and McKellips.
The Bates family request memorial contributions are made to the Commemorative Air Force--Arizona Wing, PO Box 2969, Mesa, AZ 85214.
Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ)
August 6, 2003
Stephen Bates, 54, of Phoenix, AZ died Thursday, July 10, 2003 in Cheyenne, WY as a result of an aircraft accident after experiencing an engine failure. The aircraft, a vintage twin-engine World War II German Heinkel HE-111 bomber, was the last flying aircraft of its type and was operated by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Steve, along with Neil Stamp, another volunteer CAF Pilot, departed Midland, Texas that morning en route to an air show in Missoula, Montana.
Steve, born June 25, 1949 in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, was a member of the New Clover Creek Baptist Church where services were held on July 17, 2003. Burial was in the Brickey Cemetery on the family farm near his birthplace in Kentucky. His parents, Charles Benjamin Bates and Maxie Keenan Bates, preceded him in death.
Steve was dedicated to his family and is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Laslie Bates; two sisters, Mary Ruth Tafoya and Karen Sue Bates both of Hardinsburg, KY; and two brothers, John Bates of San Diego, CA and Randy Bates of Phoenix, AZ.
Steve loved everything about flying and aviation, which is why he excelled in his 37-year profession. He served the armed forces during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Navy and later, after graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University concluded his military career as a U.S. Army Aviator in the UH-60 Blackhawk. Captain Bates had an eighteen-year career with America West Airlines, serving seventeen years as a Captain and Check Airman for both the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 in the Flight Standards Group. Steve was also a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and a FAA Certificated Airframe and Powerplant Inspector. As an active volunteer for the Commemorative Air Force, Steve was proud to be one of the few pilots rated to fly the historic B-17 Flying Fortress.
Steve will be remembered for his infectious laugh, unique sense of humor, twinkle in his eye, his never-ending array of hats and his gift of happiness he freely gave with a smile to everyone he met. Steve was deeply respected by his colleagues, friends and co-workers who remember him as a gentleman, a mentor and a true professional.
An informal memorial service will be held on August 9th at 4:00 p.m. at the Commemorative Air Force to remember and celebrate the lives and contributions of Steve Bates and Neil Stamp. The CAF hangar is located at Falcon Field in Mesa on the northeast corner of Greenfield and McKellips.
The Bates family request memorial contributions are made to the Commemorative Air Force--Arizona Wing, PO Box 2969, Mesa, AZ 85214.
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