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Air Zoo Blog

Category: Co-founder

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021

Before They Were WASP, They Were CAP

Did you know that many Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)—including Air Zoo Co-founder Sue Parish—first served as part of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)? Approved by the United States Commerce, Navy, and War departments in 1941, the CAP recruited American civilian pilots eager to use their aviation skills for national defense. Men and women answered the call and volunteered in many ways. They provided surveillance, missing aircraft searches, forest patrols, and much more. Prior to ... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Thursday, Dec 30, 2021
CAP Civil Air Patrol Co-founder Congressional Gold Medal Mabel Rawlinson Navy Veteran Sue Parish Teresa James WASP Women in Air and Space Women's Airforce Service Pilots WWII

Friday, Jul 30, 2021

Go West, Mr. Parish

In the late 1940s, Air Zo co-founder Preston “Pete” Parish (1919-2020) averaged 3,000 miles a month en route from San Diego to Vancouver; Spokane to Salt Lake City; Phoenix to Los Angeles—but not by air!  Pete traveled by train, bus, and infrequently by car in a job he particularly enjoyed: Sales. Based out of Los Angeles, Pete found the work a pleasure. “I had a wonderful time,” he said in a 2001 oral history interview. Before relocating to the ... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Friday, Jul 30, 2021
Co-founder Family Friendly Featured Exhibit History Kalamazoo Marine Corp New Exhibit Pete Parish Remembering Pete WWII

Friday, Jul 9, 2021

Creating Community in 2021

A letter from Troy - Eight years ago, as I embarked on a new career at an aviation museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan, one of the first people I had the chance to get to know was Pete Parish. It was from Pete that I learned about the dream that inspired the Air Zoo and the vision our founders had for using the Air Zoo to strengthen our community for future generations. Nearly a year after Pete’s death, it is still hard to think about the Air Zoo without him. Pete was one of the most inte... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Friday, Jul 9, 2021
Appeal Co-founder Creating Community Development donation education programs Events family legacy Live Pete Parish Planned Giving scholarship work

Monday, Jul 6, 2020

Preston Seiter "Pete" Parish - November 10, 1919 - July 1, 2020

It is with deepest sadness that we share that our co-founder Pete Parish passed away last week.  From his service as a Marine in WWII to his philanthropic works across our region, Pete was truly a hero in every sense of the word.  His remarkable legacy will live on throughout this community and through all who experience the Air Zoo for decades to come.  Pete will be forever honored through our work at the Air Zoo. As we celebrate his life and legacy, we look forward to hearing... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Monday, Jul 6, 2020
Co-founder Obituary Pete Parish Preston Seiter "Pete" Parish

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    Great place! Very interesting educational and informational! Great place to take the whole family as there is something for young children up to adults!

    blackeyedsusan2018
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  • Trip Advisor Review Real reviews from Trip Advisor reviewers.

    We took our grown daughters and young grandsons to the Air Zoo. It was very entertaining for all of us. There is so much to see and do. Rides for the whole family!

    Rick C
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