Lewes retiree fulf'dls dt cam with
reinstatement ofpu, license
By Kristen Seal
"A lot of people said I couldn't
do it, so that just made me want to
do it even more." Does that sound
familiar? Elmer Boyer, 79, of
Lewes, has proven that dreams
can come true if one keeps a posi-
tive attitude.
Boyer, as of October of 1994,
passed his physical and success-
fully completed his three manda-
tory hours in the biannual flight
test and oral exam to have his
commercial pilot's license rein-
stated after 30 years.
As a youngster in Lebanon
County, Pa. after World War I,
Boyer became interested in air-
craft because a local pilot would
take community residents for
rides in his World War I plane. In
1932, Boyer and his brother pur-
chased an American Eagle biplane
with an OX5 water cooled engine,
assembled it, and practiced flying.
They later traded that plane for a
monoplane with a 40 horsepower
single ignition plane. Around
1939, Boyer received his pilot's
license and grouped together with
fellow pilots to form the Civilian
Air Defense. In 1941, Boyer
joined the Civil Air Patrol, an aux-
iliary of the U.S. Air Force orga-
nized by Congress. The Civil Air
Patrol mainly operates air rescue
units to locate lost planes and as-
sist in emergencY situations or
disasters.
"The main purpose [of the Civil
Air Patrol] is to'Irain cadets to be
leaders and to educate them in
procedures of emergency," said
Boyer.
As a Civil Air Patrol member,
Boyer flew L-I, L-2, L-3, L-4, L-
5, and L-19 planes in World War
II. In 1947 he worked at Meyer-
stown Airport in Lebanon County,
operating planes across the east
coast for a local cattle auctioneer.
In the early 1950s he became the
commanding officer of Civil Air
Patrol Squadron 306 in Pennsyl-
vania. Boyer moved from a cap-
tain, to group air inspector over
seven to eight squadrons, to a ma-
jor in the Civil Air Patrol. Also in
the 1950s Boyer was the civil de-
fense director for Lebanon County
and worked with the U.S. Air
Force Air Sea Rescue in heli-
copters. With that rescue unit he
flew co-pilot in H-19 and H-21
choppers, delivering food, fuel,
medicine and doctors, Boyer re-
tired from the Civil Air Patrol in
1964 and moved to Delaware in
1965.
Elmer Boyer, 79, of Lewes, recently had his pilot's license
reinstated and has fulfilled his dream of flying once again.
Boyer became a member of the Civil Air Patrol in World War
II, moving up the ranks to group air inspector over seven to
eight squadrons in Pennsylvania, working with the Air Force
Sea Rescue before retiring in 1964.
Boyer had received his ocean'
going captain's license in Penn-
sylvania, so when he and his wife
moved to Lewes he began work-
ing with Dale Parsons at Fisher-
man's Wharf. He retired in 1975
and has kept himself busy farming
and working with electronics.
When Boyer's wife, "Morn", and
son, Elmer, took Boyer to Sussex
County Airport for Father's Day
in 1992 for an airplane ride, the
pilot let Boyer operate the plane
and his interest in flying was
rekindled.
"My blood began to boil after
that. I never lost interest in flying
- it's something that you never
forget. But I never thought I
could qualify myself again,"
added Boyer. That is exactly what
he did 30 years after his last stint
with flying.
After passing the exam, Boyer's
pilot's license was reinstated by a
Continued on page 16
Rudder
Continued from page 14
the tide, and then moved to the
highest rocks to keep out of the
water." Rogan speculated that
Rudder may have even been
standing in water during high tide.
Rudder's running and swim-
ming days are over. The Rogans
have placed a fence around the
back yard of their home and that's
where he'll stay. Rudder doesn't
seem to mind, though. She waits
for Andrew Rogan to return from
school each day and they have
plenty of room to play.
CAPE GAZETTE, Friday, February 3 - February 9, 1995 - 15
Rubies & Diamonds
1
Now for a .,:: . /
limited time !, ...... . ........ , ......
SAVE 25%
on all fine ii! i[
Ruby & Diamond
(: Jewelry
STUART KINGSTON GALLERY 227-2524
Located at the north end of the Rehoboth Boardwalk
MES
Our Many Services Include ~
Hair Cuts & Styling
Perms & Body Waves
Coloring & Foil Highlights
Manicures, Pedicures, Nail Sculpting & Art
ii i !=ii=iiiiiiiiNiiiii!i!i!ii!!!i-ii!!Niiii!ilil
For Appointment call: 227-1960 • 800-259-0407
4323 Highway One, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Matrix hair care system used
i
Kiss Those Reading
Glasses Good-DyeI
Now it's possible for your natural vision at all distances to
be comfortably restoredby the new Lifestyle Multifocal m
RGP contact lens. Simply call us and ask if you are a candi-
date to wear this innovative new lens. If you are, we can
order a lens custom-made with your personal prescription
for you to test, and the lens cost is RISK FREE!*
Glasses & Contacts
[201G Savannah Rd. 521 S. DuPont Hwy.
Lewes, DE. 19958 Milford, DE. 19963
645-1800 422-2800
* Professional fees not included
i!t
I
