Palm Desert, California

1924 — 2024

Longtime Palm Desert, California, resident, Blaine Mack, passed away on May 22. His three children, granddaughter and many friends were with him on his final day.

An Oregon native, Blaine attended Oregon State University, majoring in physics, before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942. He trained as a P-38 pilot, and served in the Aleutian Islands.

Following the war, he completed his undergraduate degree and married Helen, whom he met at a dance in Astoria, and earned his master’s degree in music education at Lewis & Clark College.

Recalled to active duty for Korea, Blaine flew the T-33 and F-86. Following his assignment, he remained in the Air Force and flew the B-47 for the Strategic Air Command and then the B-52 in Vietnam.

Blaine retired from the Air Force in 1970, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was the last fighter pilot in SAC and also the most senior pilot in SAC.

After retiring from the Air Force, he taught high school band and choir in southern Oregon, traveling around the West Coast, to Mexico and Canada with his choirs.

He sang barbershop from the age of 19 into his 90s, and directed the Coachella Valley’s chorus and sang tenor in many quartets.

Blaine never met a dog he didn’t like.

A member of the Palm Springs Air Museum since 1996, Blaine served as a docent, presenter and community outreach speaker.

A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his children, David Mack, Nancy Hootman (Roger) and Kristina Mack, and his granddaughter, Amanda Hootman; his cousin, Gloria Cummings, of Vancouver, Washington; and three nephews. His wife, Helen, died five weeks before him on April 17.

A celebration of life was held for Helen and Blaine on Nov. 8 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to the air museum or to the Clatsop County Historical Society.