Greatness lives among us, as well as courage and heroism. Goodbye Joe Cotton and thank you...

As a kid growing up in Tulsa, with Dad at the AAL Maintenance Facility, from my earliest memories, I couldn't get enough of aviation and those heroes I came to admire. For me, two men were etched in my memory...Charles Lindberg and Joe Cotton. After choosing a career in Engineering, I soon found myself working for United Airlines from which I've recently retired after 41 years. I'll never forget my first day on the job, which included my manager inviting me to join him at lunch with some of the other Engineers. As the introductions went around the table, the last person, who was sitting across from me was ....Joe Cotton. I was speechless and in awe while Joe was just one of the guys having lunch and graciously extended a welcome to the group. In the years that followed until he retired, I had the opportunity to be aboard several test flights where Joe was PIC. During those years my respect and admiration for Joe continued to grow. These sentiments were shared with all of my fellow Engineers at UAL. Joe was their hero too. I last saw Joe having a bite to eat at Costco in Redwood City. While I hesitating at first, not wanting to bother him, I just had to stop to say hello again. As usual, I found Joe to be welcoming and warm which once again reminded me what an outstanding individual he was, not only for his contribution to aviation but also for simply being just a decent human being. All of the UAL staff Engineers will miss you Joe Cotton. It has certainly been our honor having known you and worked with you. Take care.

I met Joe. The first time was at the United Airlines training center in 1969. He was in the class behind me at United. Although he was hired to only be a test pilot for United, he was required to go through the same indoctrination training as the rest of us.

When Joe was in his early 90s I again spoke with him at the 3-Zero Cafe at Half Moon Bay airport where he was having lunch with his wife. Although I remembered him, he didn't remember me, but they both remembered their time at the United Airlines training center in 1969.

Joe commanded the respect of all who came in contact with him.

Col. Cotton was a friend of my father. My father co-owned and managed Wally Moon's Baseball Camp. Chris was my friend and we enjoyed many good times at the ball camp. Col. Cotton invited our family to an Edwards AFB air show in 1965 featuring the Thunderbirds. It is one of the most memorable experiences I have had. We also went to the tower and got to hear him flying a B58 as a chase plane and was discussing having ice on the windscreen. So real and so exciting to a 14 year old boy.

Rob Crowder