By Rose S. Prinzi
On a clear day, as one looks up and ponders the day, white streaks may be observed crisscrossing the backdrop of a blue sky. These bands of white are usually made by jets traveling to destinations unknown many miles above at great speeds.
Although World War II planes did not travel the height or the speed of these modern day machines, Bob “Mac” McKenzie had the privilege of being a pilot at a time when advancements in aviation were unprecedented. As a World War II Veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Bob served as a pilot in the Eighth Air Corps, with duty in the European Theatre, until his discharge as a captain in 1947. His interest in aviation never wavered. His love of airplanes became a lifetime passion.
In January 2008, the McKenzies established the Bea and Bob McKenzie Aviation Scholarship Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. This fund was set-up to assist second-year Jamestown Community College Aviation Program student(s). Interestingly enough, graduates from Eldred High School, PA, and the Chautauqua Region are to receive priority consideration for the scholarship. Bob graduated from Eldred High School, PA.
After his discharge from the Army, he worked for a time at TWA in Pittsburgh before transferring to Allegheny Airlines in Bradford. It was during his time with TWA that Bob met his wife-to-be, Beatrice Wadzinski. Bea was teaching at Bob’s old high school, Otto-Eldred, when she caught Bob’s eye during a basketball game he was refereeing. As the story was told, they connected and were married shortly afterwards at
St. Bonaventure University.
After spending ten years as Station Master in Bradford for Allegheny Airlines, he focused on a career in education. Having acquired his undergraduate degree in education from Clarion University prior to going into the Army, Bob eventually pursued his Master’s in education/guidance counseling from St. Bonaventure University, with further study at the New York University. Bea also received her Master’s from St. Bonaventure University at the same time. Both Bea and Bob arrived in the Jamestown area in 1957 as instructors, later becoming guidance counselors in the Jamestown School System.
Bob had a great love of airplanes. With both Bob and Bea in education, it was only a matter of time that his enthusiasm for the flying machines led him and Bea to create a scholarship for those interested in acquiring a professional piloting certification with Jamestown Community College.
It is not unusual that individuals who have a passion have a tendency to encourage that passion in others. The Community Foundation offers individuals an opportunity to design a fund that reaches out to people who have similar interests. It is a living system that is maintained into perpetuity. Bob died on November 7, 2008. His dream to assist others to pursue his love of planes lives on.
If you have a dream to assist those interested in a mutual passion, contact the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to learn how you can make your dream come true and meet your charitable goals. Call 661-3390 for more information.