ddeath of NCA/RC/NWA Capt. Randall James Dunne, age 80

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May 25, 2026, 3:38:29 PM (2 days ago) May 25

to Pilot Communication Net

~ IN MEMORY ~

NCA/RC/NWA Capt. Randall James Dunne (Randy)

September 3, 1945 - April 8, 2026

Randy began flying with North Central Airlines 12-11-1972 and retired with Northwest Airlines in 2005 as a Captain. Randy is survived by his wife Diane, and by his children and their families.

PCN memorial site https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2026/05/ncarcnwa-capt-randall-james-dunne.html

Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI)

https://obituaries.record-eagle.com/obituary/randall-dunne-1093802680

TRAVERSE CITY — Randall James Dunne, better known as Randy, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on April 8, 2026. Randy was born September 3, 1945, in Jersey City, NJ, the son of James Dunne Jr. and Marie Haegen. The oldest of 4, he was a caregiver to his younger siblings, James, David, and Kathleen. His childhood was in Waldwick, NJ, where he was Captain of the football team at St. Luke's Catholic High School. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and became a pilot, fulfilling his aviation dream of flying for Trans-Michigan Airlines, North Central Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. He retired in 2005, reaching the rank of 747 captain on international routes.

He raised 3 children (Jason, Jennifer, and Jessica) on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, and they were the center of Randy's life. Through his work, he traveled the world and encouraged his family to experience different places and pursue their dreams with courage and determination. That spirit of bravery and curiosity lives on in his children, many of whom have spent significant time living and traveling both within and beyond the U.S.

He met his second wife, Diane Dunne, 25 years ago, and together they divided their retirement years between Traverse City, Michigan, and Estero, Florida. Randy was a classic big-fish storyteller who loved talking to everyone, a trait that even got him in trouble with the nuns at Catholic school. His boisterous laugh and jovial spirit won the admiration of even his hospital staff until the very end. One of the last things he said to a room full of staff was, "Laughter is so important. What's the point of living if you cannot laugh?"

Randy's family was his life force, and his love and loyalty to his family and friends were among his defining traits. Remaining to cherish Randy's memory are his wife, Diane Dunne; his children, Jason and Anarie Dunne, Jennifer and Booth Keeney, and Jessica and Jim Greilick; grandchildren, Reilan and Adrien Dunne, Elowen and Maeve Keeney, and Mackensie and Alice Greilick; and his sister, Kathleen (Dunne) and Al Graef. Randy will be missed greatly, but his legacy will live on forever through our fond memories and his many stories.