Ronald K. Goodridge, 78, of Hancock, N.H., died May 12 at home, with his loving wife, Lynn, and his sister, Mona, at his bedside. He was born May 9, 1937, in Canaan, Maine, and was the son of the late Lillian and Walter Goodridge.

His wife Lynn (Estep) Goodridge; his children, Steven and Sue Goodridge of Newtown, Kelly Goodridge, and her husband Oscar De Los Santos, of Newtown, and Lance Goodridge of Wilton; his stepchildren and spouses Greg and Susan Estep, Mindy and Bob Ignarri, and Tom and Jenny Estep; his sisters Joyce White and Mona Kinney; his brothers and wives Alan and Jean Goodridge and Frank and Beverly Goodridge; his sister-in-law Marilee Hoffswell and her husband Harvey; and his brother-in-law Todd Mommsen and his wife Sharon survive Mr Goodridge. His grandchildren Brendon and Ryan Goodridge, Alexander Taylor, and Grant, Zachary, and Grace Goodridge; and stepgrandchildren Steven, Ben, and Paul Estep, Grace, Tom, and Jane Ignarri, and Garrett and Wilbur Estep also survive him.

Mr Goodridge graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in civil engineering. During those years he embarked on his dream of flying by becoming a pilot in the Maine Air National Guard. He completed his training as a fighter pilot at Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, Wash., and Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala. As a Korean War Air Force veteran, he continued to pursue his passion by flying commercial jets for American Airlines. He earned the rank of captain in 1978 and retired in 1997. Mr Goodridge also founded Atlantic Air, a Connecticut commuter airline now known as Business Express.

Upon retirement, he spent years pursuing his flight-related hobby, birdwatching, as well as exploring the country in his motor home. A patriotic American, Mr Goodridge loved talking politics and defending his conservative position for his beloved country. He was an avid reader of history, the sciences, mathematics, and the natural world. He had an innate thirst for learning and enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge with his children and grandchildren.

Mr Goodridge is remembered as a kind father, a loving husband, and a respected brother and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. His family and friends affirm that he was a model of integrity and always strove for excellence. Of strong mind, gracious spirit, and generous heart, he was a realist as well as a lover of the arts. Lines from Ron’s poem “Iron Birds,” written to commemorate his retirement from American Airlines, also apply to his last journey: “I’m on final approach now and the runway is in sight / I’ll be landing soon — and my life will be changed forever.”

A memorial service will take place at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, N.H., Saturday, June 6, at 2 pm. A private celebration of his life will also take place on Block Island, R.I., in July.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice at HCS, 45 Main Street, Peterborough NH 03458; or the American Bird Conservancy, PO Box 249, The Plains VA 20198.