Bert C. Croft of Overland Park, Kansas died Friday, June 28, 1996 of a massive heart attack and open-heart surgery. The funeral services were held July 1 at St. John�s United Methodist Church with subsequentburial in Johnson County Memorial Gardens.

Bert was born Aug. 28, 1937 in Tulsa, OK. He joined us at Lowry AFB on July 9, 1956 in his boyhood quest to become a pilot. Through sheer determination and hard work, he achieved that goal. After the four years we all spent together, he went on to attend pilot training at Moore AFB and Vance AFB and received his wings in 1961. After graduation, Bert remained at Vance in the 3575th Pilot Training Squadron as, first a T-33 then a T-38 instructor. He resigned from the Air Force in 1966 to pursue a career as aTWA pilot.

With TWA, Bert moved through a succession of positions. At the timeof his death, he was active as a flight engineer on international Boing 747s, flying typically between St. Louis and Honolulu. Bert was type-rated on 767s, DC-9s, and 727s, and also flew as a B727 flight engineer.

A dedicated member of the Boy Scouts of America from an early age, Bert attained the status of Eagle Scout, Mic-O-Say, and Order of the Arrow. He found great satisfaction in extending this love of Scouting into his community, where, among other duties he served as a Scoutmaster for many years. Bert was committed to providing young men an opportunity to learn their capabilities and develop self confidence.

Bert will be remembered by his classmates for his innovative approach to problem solving. Whether it be in the field or the classroom, we could depend on Bert to successfully lead us down a different path. He will be remembered by the world as a man who loved his family, who loved his country, and who dedicated himself to serving both. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. And, he fulfilled that boyhood dream by flying airplanes to the end.

He is survived by his wife, Jacque; his son John A. Croft, who works for Firestone in Des Moines, Iowa; and his daughter Suzanne Croft, with the American Red Cross in Arlington, VA. He also leaves two sisters: Rosalea Anderson in Broken Arrow, OK, and Jan Aydelotte in Carrollton, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, 10210 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo. 64131, or the American Heart Association, 9401 Reeds, Overland Park, Kan. 66207.

(His classmates and family)