obituaries

Gordon Amundson bristled at a report this year that mechanics working for United Airlines allegedly stuffed shop towels into an engine to cover openings in the oil sump area when maintenance was done two years ago. That's because he was all about airline safety, and made a career out of teaching and training mechanics charged with keeping planes airworthy.

Amundson spent the early part of his career with the former Minnesota-based North Central Airlines, where he established training programs for the airline's mechanics and flight technicians. He also was one of the longest-serving mechanics examiners with the Federal Aviation Administration, and over the course of more than 50 years, he tested and certified thousands of mechanics, many of whom came from as far way as the Philippines, Hong Kong and the Far East, said his daughter, Theresa Calderon of Madison, Wis.

"When he handed them their certificate or license, he'd say 'be careful,'" said his son, Stephen, of Kearney, Neb. "He always was looking out for the safety of the flying public and making planes safe. He wanted them to recognize the authority he was giving them."

A lifelong aviation buff, Amundson died Thursday, the anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight back in 1903. He had just dropped off a friend in Shorewood and was driving to his Wayzata home when he apparently suffered a heart attack. He was 83.

Amundson practically grew up at the Grand Forks, N.D., airport, where his father was operations manager. He was flying before he graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1944. He served on a naval landing tank ship that delivered troops and cargo during the invasion of Okinawa in World War II, then returned stateside to take a job with Valley Flying Service in Grand Forks. He moved to Minneapolis in the late 1940s and worked for two years for Northwest Airlines until North Central Airlines recruited him away because of his knowledge and skill. He started as a line mechanic and moved up to crew chief and later to manager of technical training, his family said.

"He was very methodical, very thorough and very patient," said Bill Halvorson, who was trained by Amundson. "He knew what he was talking about. He is universally respected."

Amundson left the airline after 28 years, but not the profession. He was a maintenance adviser for the Minnesota Civil Air Patrol, the Air Force Reserves and Air Guard, and for many years trained and mentored pilots and maintenance crews for Crystal Shamrock Airlines at the Crystal Airport. He also earned the FAA's prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award and was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2008, the year he certified his last mechanic.

"He got e-mails from people asking, 'Can you do one more?'" Stephen said.

Amundson taught in and advised aviation programs at technical schools and colleges in the Upper Midwest, including the University of North Dakota; Minnesota State University, Mankato; and Winona State University.

He also was a deacon for 20 years at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Mound and a member of the American Legion, Sons of Norway, VFW and the Minneapolis chapter of the Quiet Birdmen.

In addition to his son, Stephen, and daughter, Theresa, Amundson is survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 5218 Bartlett Blvd., Mound. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks, N.D. Visitation will be held one hour before services at the funeral home.