Leland J. Workman

Lee Workman passed away April 13th, 2012. Born in Motley, Minnesota, January 24, 1922, he began a lifelong passion for man-made wings after a ride with a barnstromer at the age of six. His fascination included creating model airplanes, ultimately growing into a career in the aeronautical industry and learning how to fly during retirement. He had a great ability for identifying make and model of airplane as it passed overhead. After graduating from Anoka High near Minneapolis, he completed an aeronautical engineering degree in three years at the University of Minnesota. He began a career at Boeing, temporarily interrupted by WWII in the Army Aircorp. Decades before the famous tagline "Plastics" in the movie "The Graduate" Dad was one of the innovative flight engineers experimenting in use of plastics, resins and various adhesives. After 25 years with Boeing, he began a second career with King Fiberglass in Seattle. In retirement, Lee spent over 25 years volunteering with The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle. He also loved golf, fishing and gardening. His creativity was boundless. We miss you Dad! Surviving are Hazel, his wife of 62 years, his children, Barbara, Beth and Steve, son-in-law's Doug and Jeff, and sister Jean Nicholas. Preceding him in death was his sister Wynn Maytum. Many thanks to Evergreen Hospice for their incredible help and guidance in Dad's last few weeks. The family suggest that in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the The Museum of Flight in Seattle. A memorial gathering will be held May 5, 2012, from 1-4pm. Please call Beth (208) 850-7531 or Steve (206) 550-8189 for directions to the memorial location.