death of WA/DL Capt. Russ H. Johansen
death flwnwst
~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Russ H. Johansen
September 22, 1943 ~ July 9, 2025
From family we have learned of the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Russell Harry Johansen. Russ began his commercial flying 01-17-1966. Memorial Services for Russ will be held at Centennial United Methodist Church in Sacramento, CA on September 25, 2025 @ 1100.
5401 Freeport Blvd.
Sacrament, CA 95822
Share your memories, send condolences, or if you have questions/concerns, please contact son Chris at goodlife...@gmail.com
Chris Johansen
4303 N Garton Ln
Pocatello, ID 83204
PCN memorial site https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2025/09/wadl-capt-russ-h-johansen.html
Russ Johansen Obituary
Russ Harry Johansen passed away early morning on July 9, 2025 in Sacramento, CA. Russ was born in Seattle, WA on September 22, 1943. As a young boy, Russ worked on a fishing boat on the waters from Settle to Alaska. Later in his childhood, he soloed a sea plane and acquired his private pilot’s license on Lake Union, WA. At 17, Russ joined the Air Force and was stationed in Texas, working as an aircraft mechanic while continuing to build flight hours through the Air Force Aero Club. Russ was hired by Pacific Northern Airlines in 1965 and was based in Anchorage, Alaska, trained as a flight engineer on the Lockheed L-188 Electra and Constellations. He was furloughed after a few months and while on furlough he was hired by Western on 1/17/66, Russ soon became one of the youngest Captains in the United States at the age of 26. Later, he flew the 707, 720, 727, 737 and the L-1011 TriStar for Western and Delta Airlines respectively. He finished his career flying the Boeing 777 to Europe as a Captain and a check airman. Russ was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed nature and animals of all kinds. He had an admiration for anything to do with aviation. Russ is survived by his wife, Peggy Nickerson Johansen; his son Chris (Charla) Johansen and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Best of all he loved the fall. The leaves on the cottonwoods, leaves floating on the trout streams, and above the hills the high blue windless skies: Now he will part of them forever.
Memorial Services will be held at Centennial United Methodist Church in Sacramento, CA on September 25, 2025 @ 1100.
5401 Freeport Blvd.
Sacrament, CA 95822