Title:
Bob Ellis on Water Street, 1936
Description:
Bob Ellis: Ketchikan's Aviation Pioneer
The story of the early flying in Alaska would be incomplete without the mention of Bob Ellis and the vital role that he played in the development of Southeast Alaska. Originally from Vermont, Ellis came north in 1929 as navigator on the first nonstop flight from the Lower 48 to Alaska. In 1936, he established Ellis Air Transport, a one-plane, one-pilot airline. When he retired in 1962, he was already a legend.
He had been a "flying Santa Claus", carried out daring rescues, served in the Territorial Senate and as Ketchikan's mayor, and had performed distinguished wartime service with the Navy. Ellis Air Lines had become the leader in Southeast Alaska commercial aviation.
Just about any former Ellis Air employee, when asked what it was like to work for Ellis, would say the word "family". Former employees talk about Bob Ellis with fondness and admiration: how he encouraged employees to work out problems, and trusted them to find solutions; how he was always available if needed, but never interfering; how he enjoyed seeing people grow in their jobs, and rewarded them when they did; how his vision and his dedication to providing great service inspired all of his employees. Bob Ellis died in 1994. In February 2004, he was inducted into the Alaska Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame.
The story of the early flying in Alaska would be incomplete without the mention of Bob Ellis and the vital role that he played in the development of Southeast Alaska. Originally from Vermont, Ellis came north in 1929 as navigator on the first nonstop flight from the Lower 48 to Alaska. In 1936, he established Ellis Air Transport, a one-plane, one-pilot airline. When he retired in 1962, he was already a legend.
He had been a "flying Santa Claus", carried out daring rescues, served in the Territorial Senate and as Ketchikan's mayor, and had performed distinguished wartime service with the Navy. Ellis Air Lines had become the leader in Southeast Alaska commercial aviation.
Just about any former Ellis Air employee, when asked what it was like to work for Ellis, would say the word "family". Former employees talk about Bob Ellis with fondness and admiration: how he encouraged employees to work out problems, and trusted them to find solutions; how he was always available if needed, but never interfering; how he enjoyed seeing people grow in their jobs, and rewarded them when they did; how his vision and his dedication to providing great service inspired all of his employees. Bob Ellis died in 1994. In February 2004, he was inducted into the Alaska Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame.
Collection:
Ketchikan Museums, KM 91.2.35.1
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Bob Ellis delivering packages on Water Street
Bob Ellis delivering packages on Water Street