death of NWA Capt. Bradley Pass, age 85
death flwnwst
~ IN MEMORY ~
NWA Capt. Bradley Pass
March 30, 1941 ~ August 22, 2026
Minneapolis lost a uniquely generous and magnanimous resident when Bradley John Pass, age 85, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22…………
Brad joined Northwest Airlines 06-06-1966 and retired with Northwest in 2001. Widowed in 2024, Brad is survived by his children and grandchildren.
Cards may be sent to the family at 5139 S 34th Ave #17097, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
PCN memorial site https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2026/08/nwa-capt-bradley-pass.html
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/bradley-pass-obituary?id=62285416
Bradley Pass Obituary
Obituary : Cremation Society of Minnesota (First Memorial Funeral Chapel) - Edina
Minneapolis lost a
uniquely generous and magnanimous resident when Bradley John Pass, age 85,
passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
Brad was born to Melvin Pass and Dorothy (Kolbert) Pass on March 30, 1941
in Minneapolis, MN.
He graduated from Murray High School in St. Paul, MN and attended the University of
Minnesota before embarking on his career as pilot on 6/6/1966.
Brad met Carol Armstrong through a friend and they wed on Dec. 18, 1971.
Together, Brad and Carol had two sons, Gabriel and Daniel. Both before and
after their sons were born, Brad and Carol traveled the world as opportunistic
adventurers, operating with a lot of information but not a lot of plans,
seeking out-of-the way gems with the best food and most interesting tours. Brad
turned an old green mining truck into a camper, and they were notorious for
bringing along friends in their tiny house on wheels to places like Glacier
National Park, California, and Colorado.
In the 1970s, the duo opened The Dark Room at 2116 Lyndale Avenue S., and The
Great Northwest Gentlemen's Apparel and Haberdashery (with Carol's sister Judy)
in Dinky Dale. Brad and Carol filled their house with hand-made light fixtures
and local artwork, sharing beauty with their visitors. Brad was a photographer
and potter who built his own pottery wheels. Throughout his life, people were
drawn to Brad's easy-going nature, and as he worked around his house and the
neighborhood, he was often seen teaching others how to use a hammer and saw.
When Dan was born, he and Gabriel created a rocking machine to help soothe the
baby. They built many things over the years, including an AM radio and an
impressive treehouse in the backyard. Brad was a master craftsman, renovating
many houses and putting creative touches on his own. He enjoyed motorcycling
and bringing their boat out on the St. Croix River.
Brad surveyed the Alaska backcountry, and then spent 35 years flying for
Northwest Airlines. He started on a turbine prop, the Lockheed Electra, and
then shifted to the 747. His extended trips took him as far away as Tokyo, with
overnight stops in Honolulu, and Amsterdam with stops in Miami. He worked his
way up to DC-10 Instructor Pilot and Check Pilot. Brad hit mandatory retirement
at age 60 in March 2001. Upon retiring, he flew the B25 Bomber Miss Mitchell
for the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, receiving their First to
Lead award in 2003, Top Communications award in 2005 and Airman of the Year
award in 2006.
At 6 foot, 4 inches, Brad was taller than most but he didn't tower over people.
Instead, he was a warm person who found ways to make everyone feel like they
belonged – no matter who they were. He taught his children and others by
example. "Beepa Brad" loved caring for his grandchildren, listening
to them and telling them stories. Aurora remembers him picking her up from swim
team practice using his airline captain schpiel, "Good afternoon, this is
your captain speaking. The time is now___. The weather in Minneapolis is good,
and your flight is expected to arrive on time at gate ___." Brad didn't
bring casseroles to family dinners, but that didn't mean he came empty-handed.
Instead, he arrived with his arms full of snacks, herring, olives and whatever else
he thought others would like, and he always had tic tacs in his pocket. Brad's
care and generosity extended beyond immediate family, to include 2 foster sons,
Becelone and Leroy, who stayed with the family in their teens.
Together with Carol, Brad devoted himself to his community. Brad preferred that
his wife, Carol, be in the spotlight, but he was a solid force behind each
community effort. Together they personally owned a number houses in East
Phillips in an effort to create safe, affordable housing for the neighborhood,
where they also resided for nearly 60 years. Brad was generous with his time.
He served on the board of the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute until his
death, supporting the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm project at the former
Roof Depot. He and Carol raised funds to build the East Phillips Cultural and
Community Center, supported renovation and redevelopment of the neighborhood
pool to create the Phillips Aquatics Center, and raised funds for numerous
housing initiatives in East Phillips, striving to bring happiness, resources,
and attention to the community. They were proud of having worked to stop many
environmental injustices, like the garbage burner and the Hiawatha Public Works
Expansion Project, and birthing the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm project at
the former Roof Depot. Brad helped organized Clean Sweep in East Phillips for
many years and helped manage the Community Garden at 2428 17th Avenue S. He
served on the Capital Long Range Improvement Committee for Minneapolis Parks,
the board of the Green Institute, and the design team for the East Phillips
Park Cultural and Community Center. He always brought the coffee and donuts.
Brad was known for his ability to bring people together in diplomatic ways that
made everyone feel seen and heard, even when they didn't all agree. He could be
firm in his advocacy for the community while still coming off as polite and
magnanimous, helping others focus in on the common good. Brad knew how to read
a room. Carol was the strategist and he punctuated their work.
Brad was indeed the person you wanted flying the plane. Smart, steady,
unflappable, level headed - while also being extremely caring, gentle, kind,
warm and humble. There was always a smile under that mustache.
In his final years, although he suffered from cancer, Brad was the easiest
person to live with. He practiced gratitude, kindness and respect toward
everyone around him daily. The day before his death, Brad told his nurse,
"I'm sorry that my departure will prevent me from being here."
Survived by: brother Roger (Grace) Pass; children: Gabriel (Amy) Pass and
Daniel (Laurel) Pass; and grandchildren: Francisca, Aurora, Rosslyn, Ailsa
(Autumn), and Moira (Jay).
Preceded by his parents Melvin Pass and Dorothy (Kolbert) Pass, and wife Carol
Armstrong Pass (in 2024).
A private memorial will be held with interment at Fairview Cemetery in Mound.
Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, please
make a donation to the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute or the
Commemorative Air Force. Notes to the family, memories and photos may be left
in the online guestbook. Cards may be sent to the family at 5139 S 34th Ave
#17097, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
https://cremationsocietyofmn.com/tribute/details/79411
Carol Ann Armstrong Pass
August 28, 1942 - May 28, 2024