Maynard J Wege

He was the youngest of 5 boys, with one brother dying before he was born. He grew up on a farm in the country near the town of Bangor. At a young age he was put in charge of moving cattle to pasturelands with his beloved dog, Buster. This meant herding 28 cows safely across the railroad tracks twice a day!

He always loved seeing the mail planes fly over their house because there was an airways beacon in their field. Maynard often joked that it wasn’t the stork that dropped him off, but the mail plane! He was convinced that this was the reason for his life-long love affair with flying machines.

The family was close and supported each other to keep the farm running. Their dad died when Maynard was only 10. This meant moving to the city of Bangor where he attended “German School” in the basement of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Maynard graduated from Bangor High School as valedictorian in 1942.

Within a year Maynard joined the Army Air Corps with the hopes of becoming a pilot. But due to his sinus problems, he was declined for this service. This was a huge disappointment for Maynard but he went on to train as an airplane mechanic at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. After receiving more training in Tucson, AZ, Seattle, WA, Grand Island, NE, and Puerto Rico, Maynard finally arrived in Guam to serve his country in the 502nd Bombardment Group where he was a B-29 mechanic. After the surrender of Japan, Maynard’s airplane was supposed to drop food to starving US POW’s in Japan. He would have been on board except for a last minute change in flight crew. That plane went down in a typhoon near Manila; an empty life raft was all that was found. This experience had a lasting, sobering effect on Maynard, as he realized God had spared his life for further service on earth.

When discharged from the Army, Maynard was able to attend Parks Air College using the GI Bill. There, he was able to fulfill his dream of obtaining his private pilot’s license. After graduating in 1948, he went to work with his brother Otto at the Alps Mining and Milling Company in Missoula MT because their brother Ted owned stock in the company. It paid them $1.50 per hour and provided a steak dinner every night! After a year there, Maynard went to work for the Missoula Air Service where he was able to trade wages for flying time.

In the early 1950’s Maynard taught at his Alma Mater, Parks College in their Air Force mechanic training program. From there, he moved to a job in Wichita, KS, working as a technical representative for Beech Aircraft. During that time he was introduced to Sylvia Wooley, who also worked there. They got to know each other through writing letters back and forth while Maynard traveled around the country for Beech. Eventually, they were married on Valentine’s Day, 1953.

A new job opportunity came along a few years later in Salt Lake City, UT, working with his brother Ted on the design and production of an electric car. Unfortunately, this came to an abrupt end when their leader, an unknown drug addict, left in the middle of the night with the prototype car and all their tools. Maynard was fortunate to accept a job with the Boeing Company, which moved them back to Wichita.

In 1957, Maynard ordered a new Oldsmobile, only to have daughter Lynn give notice of her impending arrival! So, he cancelled the car and took delivery on her instead! David followed her 18months later.

One of the hardest decisions of Maynard and Sylvia’s marriage was to move the family to Seattle, where there were increasing job opportunities with Boeing. It was not easy to leave Sylvia’s mother who was very attached to the grandkids, and they to her. It was a sad day as they drove out of Wichita to head to the Northwest. Maynard had a long career with Boeing as a technical writer for both military and commercial aircraft. He survived many lay-offs to eventually complete 30 years with the company, retiring in 1986.

Maynard had an extremely creative mind. He loved to design and build go-karts and other toys. His “Symmetrix” drawing toy was unfortunately beat out by “Spirograph”. Maynard never gave up. One year his family gave him a little sign that said, “If at first you don’t succeed, you’re about average.” Maynard also loved woodworking. His home was filled with practical devices, such as cabinets and closets, but also with beautiful wooden and stained glass kaleidoscopes. He used his talents to benefit his church and community. He loved people and was loved by many. He invested his time with his children’s musical, scouting, and mission activities.

When his grandkids, Kristine, Robert, and Kaylynn came along, Maynard continued to build toys for their home or yard: ferry boats, trains, a truck bed, a playhouse, a merry-go-round, a stationary pedal-powered airplane, kaleidoscopes, etc. He loved spending time with them!

One of the highlights of his retirement years was Maynard’s investment of time with the Greenwood Elementary School’s aviation program. He shared some of his toys, as well as his knowledge of airplanes with the children. He built a ¼ scale replica of the Wright Brothers’ Flyer and a wind tunnel for them. Some of these toys were even featured in the Greenwood Seafair Parade in 2003.

Maynard’s military service was honored in 2010 when his story was included in a book of Veterans’ memories called, “War and Sacrifice”. In 2018, Maynard and his daughter Lynn were able to go to Washington DC on a Puget Sound Honor Flight. In 2020, he participated in the Providence Hospice Veteran’s Pinning Ceremony in recognition and gratitude for his military service. All of these special occasions and honors brought tears to his eyes. Maynard loved his country well and was proud to defend her against her enemies during WWII.

In 2015 Maynard lost the love of his life, Sylvia. He continued to live in their home with the help of his son David and many wonderful caregivers. In late 2019 he moved into an assisted living apartment with David but his health began to decline. He was grateful for many loving caregivers at Northgate Plaza, Morningside Adult Family Home, and Aegis Living of Lynnwood. His Providence Hospice Teams were sources of comfort and encouragement in the last few months of his life during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Maynard finally ran out of his 9 lives on August 13, 2020 and went to his heavenly home peacefully. He is survived by his daughter Lynn (Frank) and son David, grandchildren Kristine Zellman (Andrew), Robert Blosser (Madeline) and Kaylynn Blosser, great-grandsons Malachi and Jeremiah Zellman, sister in-law Warene Testerman (Neal), as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21.

Blessed be his memory.