Obituary - Donald E. Vent

Thursday, October 18, 2001
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Donald Ernest Vent died Oct. 3, 2001, in Wasilla.

Born Nov. 1, 1928, in Anvik, Vent attended Sheldon Jackson High School in Sitka. He attended aviation school in Spokane, Wash., and AMP mechanic school while in the merchant marine. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

He worked as a bush pilot, FAA-NTSB-Aviation Safety Inspector and an AMP mechanic. He received various awards, including the FAA Search and Rescue Medal for Heroism in 1975, the Yakutat Aviators Hall of Fame in 2001 and he represented aviation at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

He enjoyed flying, fishing, hunting, guiding, cooking, spending time with his grandchildren and friends, and talking on the phone to friends and family throughout Alaska.

He is survived by daughters Theresa Vent of Anchorage, Charmaine Pattison and her husband Scott of Wasilla, Mischelle Kitter and her husband Eric of Wasilla; son Albert Porter of Juneau; ex-wife Sandy Vent of Sitka; brother Bobby Vent and his wife Mary of Huslia; and many grandchildren, friends and relatives in the Interior.

A memorial service was held Oct. 8 at the Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla. Another service will be held at the ANB Hall in Yakutat on Oct. 29 and 30.

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