(challenge by Amy Johnson Crow)
A story about “Dr. Forrest” marrying a Moran child”
For this theme, I am highlighting Dr. Forrest Bird. He isn’t a blood relative but married into the Moran Family. My Grandfather’s sister, Mary Schoenewald, married Merton Moran. Merton’s brother, Thomas, had a daughter named Mary Patricia. Mary Patricia married Forrest Bird.
Mary Patricia Moran Bird
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BIRTH |
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DEATH |
30 Aug 1986 (aged 68)Spokane County, Washington, USA |
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BURIAL |
Desert Memorial ParkCathedral City, Riverside County, California, USA |
Mary Patricia Moran was born to Thomas Orville Moran and Pearl Baxter. On 25 Dec 1937, she married Francis Elton Rickman in Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho. The marriage ended in divorce by 1947. The 1940 census shows them residing in Connell, Franklin Co., Washington.
Mary Patricia Bird 68, of Palm Springs and
Sandpoint Idaho, died Saturday in Spokane WA. Born in Bosie Idaho Mis Bird was
a resident here for 30 years She was a member of the Palm Springs Eastern Star and
was active in the community. Mrs Bird is survived by her husband, Dr Forrest
Bird of Palm Springs and Sandpoint, Idaho, one daughter Kathy Bird Naloni of
San Diego, and two grandchildren Burial will be at Palm Springs Memorial Park
In lieu of flowers, the family suggesls donations to Lend A-Paw in Palm Springs
Dr Forrest Morton Bird
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BIRTH |
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DEATH |
2 Aug 2015 (aged 94)Sagle, Bonner County, Idaho, USA |
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BURIAL |
Cremated, Other,
Specifically: Location, Bird Aviation Museum |
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MEMORIAL ID |
152089870 View Source |
Dr. Forrest Morton Bird (June 9, 1921 –
August 2, 2015) was an American aviator, inventor, and biomedical engineer. He
is best known for having created some of the first reliable mass-produced
mechanical ventilators for acute and chronic cardiopulmonary care.
Bird was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Bird
became a pilot at an early age due to the encouragement of his father, a World
War I pilot, and from meeting Orville Wright at an early age. He performed his
first solo flight at age 14. By age 16 he was working to obtain multiple major
pilot certifications. Bird enlisted with the United States Army Air Corps, and
entered active duty in 1941 as a technical air training officer due to his
advanced qualifications. This rank, combined with the onset of World War II,
gave him the opportunity to pilot almost every aircraft in service, including
early jet aircraft and helicopters.
The newest models of aircraft were capable of
exceeding altitudes at which humans can breathe, even with 100% oxygen
supplementation, introducing the risk of hypoxia. Bird discovered that an
oxygen regulator in a crashed German bomber he was ferrying back to the U.S.
for study seemed to contain a pressure breathing circuit. He took the oxygen
regulator home, studied it, and made it more functional. It became the standard
design for high-altitude oxygen regulators for most military aircraft until
recent time. Bird studied medicine " ... to understand the human body and
its stress in flight". This led to him developing efficient respirators
and ventilators.
In 1967, Bird developed the Bird Innovator, a
conversion of the Consolidated PBY Catalina amphibian aircraft. His company was
Bird Oxygen Breathing Equipment Inc, later renamed Bird Corporation, the
aircraft being based at Palm Springs until 1976.
Bird resided in Sagle, Idaho, close to the U.S. /
Canadian border which is where his home, production facilities, museum and
ranch are located. Dr. Bird collected and restored old planes, old cars, and
motorcycles.
Forrest and Pamela Bird opened the Bird Aviation
Museum and Invention Center in July 2007, with aviator Patty Wagstaff cutting a
ceremonial ribbon at the end of the runway while flying. The Bird's are the
founders and owners of the museum, which showcases Bird's various aircraft and
inventions. On December 10, 2008, Bird received the Presidential Citizens Medal
from President George Bush. The United States honored him for his
groundbreaking contributions and for his work to keep America at the forefront
of discovery. On October 7, 2009, President Barack Obama awarded Bird the
National Medal of Technology and Innovation, a recognition of his
"outstanding contributions to the promotion of technology for the
improvement of the economic, environmental or social well-being of the United States.
Bird died at the age of 94 of natural causes at
his Sagle, Idaho home on August 2,2015.
. Forrest M. Bird receiving the National Medal of
Technology and Innovation from President Obama in 2009. Credit Luke Sharrett
for The New York Times
-----------------------------------------------
This is Forrest Bird’s wife after Mary Moran Bird passed away at
the age of 68 in 1986. Pamela was quite
a bit younger than Forrest Bird. Her Bio
stated she was a founder along with Forrest Bird of the Bird Aviation Museum,
that is way I included a part of it.
Dr Pamela Riddle Hudek Bird
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BIRTH |
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DEATH |
8 Oct 2015 (aged 59)Hope, Bonner County, Idaho, USA |
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BURIAL |
Cremated, Ashes given
to family or friend |
Pamela and her late husband, Dr. Forrest
Bird, were the founders of the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center. This
is the world’s only aeromedical and innovation museum featuring a collection of
more than 21 aircraft, rare vintage cars and a unique display of inventions
from some of the greatest inventors in history that have impacted the world
forever. The museum’s motto is, “One person can change the world and it can be
you!”
Obituaries:
