Walter Varney
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| Walter T. Varney | |
| Born | December 26, 1888 San Francisco, California |
|---|---|
| Died | January 25, 1967 (aged 78) Santa Barbara, California |
| Occupation | Pilot, Airline executive |
| Spouse | Aileen Varney |
| Parents | Thomas and Ella Varney |
Walter Thomas Varney (born December 26, 1888 in San Francisco, California – died January 25, 1967 in Santa Barbara, California)[1] was an American aviation pioneer who founded forerunners of two major U.S. airlines United Airlines[2] and Continental Airlines[3]. Varney was also one of the most prominent airmail contractors of the early 20th Century.
Varney served as a pilot in the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps during World War I. After the war Varney established an aviation school and air taxi service in northern California.
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[edit] Aviation Career
[edit] Founder of Varney Airlines, predecessor of United Airlines
In October 1925, Varney was awarded one of the first contracts under the recently-passed Contract Air Mail Act. He based his operation, Varney Airlines, in Boise, Idaho, and flew routes between Boise, Pasco, Washington, and Elko, Nevada. Varney's first airmail flight took off from Boise on April 26, 1926[2]. The takeoff was witnessed by Idaho Governor Charles C. Moore and Senator William E. Borah.
"The Boise airport at that time was located on the Boise State campus, that was a special day in terms of transportation because it marks the birth of United Airlines," said United archivist Roni Adams.
Varney sold Varney Airlines in 1930 to United Aircraft and Transport. The company's name was changed to United Airlines in 1933.
[edit] Founder of Varney Speed Lines, predecessor of Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was founded in 1934 by Walter Varney and his partner Louis Mueller as Varney Speed Lines.[3] On July 15, 1934, Varney Speed Lines flew its first trip on a 530-mile route from Pueblo, Colorado to El Paso, Texas[3] with stops in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Santa Fe and Albuquerque New Mexico. Varney ceded control to Mueller in 1934, and in 1936 the company was sold to Robert Six who renamed it Continental Airlines in 1937[3].
[edit] Participant in Lockheed Corporation Reorganization
In 1932, Varney contributed half of the $40,000 needed to purchase the Lockheed division of Detroit Aircraft Corporation out of bankruptcy[4]. The company was reorganized in Burbank, California as the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation.[5] retiring from that company in 1951.[1]
[edit] Later Years and Death
In his later years, he suffered from chronic pulmonary emphysemia, chronic bronchitis, and valvular heart disease.[1] He lived for a time with the family of his daughter, Mrs. Richard Lambert. He died of bronchial pneumonia on Jan. 25, 1967 at Dani's Nursing Home in Santa Barbara, California. He was buried in Cypress Lawn cemetery in San Francisco in the Varney family plot[1]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d Varney Santa Barbara DCT or Obit Accessed 21 June 2007
- ^ a b United Airlines Website,Era 2: 1926 - 1933
- ^ a b c d Continental Airlines Website, Company History 1934 to 1958
- ^ Christy, Joe (1994). American Aviation: An Illustrated History. page 345: McGraw-Hill Professional, 007022014X.
- ^ Aerofiles: A Century of American Aviation Lockheed 1 to J History Notes
