I was a student of Dave's in 1971-1972 in Kingsville, Texas. He was very considerate of me because I had never flown jets prior to Kingsville. Unlike other students who had flown jets in Basic Training, I had flown props. For a brief time, the Navy divided students into three groups--one flew traditionally in the plane, the second group flew in simulators, and I in the third group got classroom instruction only before our check ride. Naturally all in the third group flunked, and we were allowed to start from the beginning. Dave guided me through the transition to jets. On one of our instrument cross-countries, we stopped in Arizona on the way to California. Just before take-off to California, the tower informed us flames were coming out of the tailpipe. We shut down the engines and the plane was towed to the operations area. VT-21 send a crew to change the engine, and we spent a few days there. Afterwards, an investigation showed a ball bearing had been responsible for the damage. Dave and I were each interviewed by a Navy investigator to see if we could shed some light on the incident. When I got my wings, my parents came to the wing ceremony. They asked about my instructor. I took them to the squadron area and Dave was very kind to them. My parents gave him a gift of a Mexican silver coin. Dave also told me about the time he ejected from the TA-4. I seem to remember the instructor tried to do a power-off loop, and the plane stalled. He recalls being in the back seat and seeing the stick and rudder pedal moving all over the cockpit. He told me that he landed in a portion of the King Ranch, and was lying on the ground when some cowboys came to him. Unfortunately, all they spoke was Spanish. I don't remember the names of most of my instructors, but I did remember his name. I was just fooling around in the internet, when I decided to see if his name came up. I am sorry for your loss. I wish I could have had a chance to chat with him. 

So sorry to hear this sad news.  Dave and I played water polo together at USB where he was one of the standout JC transfers, one who made a huge impact on our roster the two years we played together.  Dave was an instant 'fit' on the team, and, being a 'southpaw', it always felt like we had an added advantage when he was in the water.
A great player, but an even nicer guy, he was the perennial post-game 'party host, and Dave knew exactly how that job was done, LOL!  Always the 'go-to' guy to brighten your day, only once that I recall did I want to rip his head off:
A teammate and I were scheduled to crash at his Santa Ana home after New Years at Disneyland; his job was to make sure the door stayed open.  Finally, arriving at about 2 a.m. in zero-visibility fog, we found a locked door!  Fortunately, Dave's VW van was out front...unlocked!?  So, we froze our bones in there until dawn...too late did we discover the 2 sleeping bags behind the back seat?  Later that morning, we worked out our frustration not on Dave but on a generous plate of eggs his Mom made!
Sadly, our paths never crossed since those college days, but you should all know that he is fondly remembered by us and all those who called him their friend.  When his name gets mentioned, which it often is, it's said with an 'exclamation point' at the end!
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all the Lasky family during this time of need.
Charles & Linda Spink

Dave - Fair Winds to you ! You are and always will be the "Spirit" of the SuperHeats.

Trapper

Perhaps they are not just stars, but rather, openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

Fly free and swift David Laskey! You will be greatly missed. Our prayers are going up for you and your family. Shine brightly for us all.

Dave was a great guy and will be sorely missed. I met him Dave through his son Phillip who is friends with my son Wyatt. Dave always had a quick smile and an  ecourging word. We shared flying experiences and I knew his career had been an avocation as well as a vocation. He was well suited to flying and I am sure he was very professional in all that he did. Dave was certainly proud of his children and you only needed a few minutes with him to understand that completely. My wife Merrie, son Wyatt, and I offer our sincerest condolences.
Jeff Jones

Our deepest sympathy and condolences,


Dr. David Williams family and staff.

Knew him when he flew into MCO. My mother died of Alzheimer.  Believe me I understand your suffering.  God bless you all.  He will show his pictures in Heaven. Esther

Very sorry to hear about Dave's passing. Prayers to all of the family.

I've only know Dave for about a year as a QB member, but I thought he was a great guy. My condolences to his family,

I was very saddened to hear of Dave's untimely passing. My favorite memory of Dave was his 'joke page' that he carried with him on his EAL flights. On that one page he had over 100 jokes with just one word reminders. This brings a smile to my face...RIP Dave, we will miss you.

My most heartfelt condolences to Dave's immediate family.  I'll be praying for your strength and Peace in the coming days and weeks.

My friend Dave,
In addition to friendship, Dave gave me a glimpse into what would otherwise be unattainable for me, but always at the center of my dreams, the real world of military and commercial aviation. He did this through countless stories of his full life as a Navy fighter pilot, Squandron Commander, and commerical airline pilot. During our trips to Florida we were able to walk right into F-22 and F-35 fighter squadron HQ's due to his status as a retired Captain, meet active pilots, and see the aircraft upfront and personal. I remember on one of our trips to Tyndall AFB, Dave was taken aback to see a squadron of his beloved F-4's being used as remote control target drones. Later in the day while on the beach we were blessed by a low level two ship flight of old F4's from the drone squadron we had seen earlier in the day. It was as if God himself was giving Dave just one last exposure to the sights and sound that represented the pinnacle of his military aviation flying career! Dave also introduced me to a great group of guys who calls themselves the "MENSA" group. These are mostly retired pilots that gave me yet another layer of personal aviation "friends with aviation stories." Dave gave me what to date, has been my best flying experience ever, and that was two SkyWarrior flights with him flying simulated air combat. Dave took an interest in my son and drove him around Dobbins where he enumerated what it was like to join the military. He wrote a glowing letter of reference to the Navy recruiting officer. I will never forget his interest in and help offered to my son Steven at a decision point in his life when he really needed good advice. Dave was always quick to help out a friend and frequently surprised me with invitations to ballgames, MENSA meetings at MONTANA's, and always wanted to foot the bill....no, not really! I am confident in Dave's salvation experience and am therefore confident of where Dave's Spirit is right now. I will see him again on "the other side" in Heaven. Rest in Peace my Good Friend. 

Mike McDonald

So sorry to learn of your husbands death.  I hope your sadness will gently fade away leaving you with wonderful memories.  Blessings.  Brenda McKinnnon Horton

Dave was a friend that always greeted you with a smile and then a laugh. He would always make you feel like he was glad to see you. He loved his kids and was the best father he could be. That makes Captain Dave Laskey a real hero.

I am extremely saddened to hear this news.  My deepest sympathies to Dave's family for their loss.  I worked with Dave at both Eastern and United Airlines and truley enjoyed those days.  He was a good friend all those that he worked with.

Fair Winds Dudley!
Dave and I were classmates at EAL and fellow Navy Reserve pilots. Always a smile, always a laugh. Always involved. 
Two's in hot Dudley. Six is clear! Let's go back ship! Dudley on the ball!
Foot sends

Dave lit up the room with wit and a smile where ever you were.  Many of us had the privilege of getting to know him through the many commutes by air to Chicago and hanging around the crew lounge waiting to begin our respective flights. You get to know people in an airline cockpit and Dave made the commute a pleasure which is not often said of commutes.  EA/UA

Tailwinds, Dave! To the family: May your sorrow be lightened by Dudley's continuing example. 

Smoke on, Dudley...check six!

Wadds sends

Dave was one of my breakfast "buddies" and he had many because he was a quality person and had so many interesting stories from his past.  His biggest pride was, of course,  his children- he always talked and bragged about them.  I will miss him but will not ever forget him.  He was one very special person.

My heart is saddened for Dave's loved ones. I know that he will be missed and remembered as a great friend to everyone who knew him.

Much sympathy to David's family and friends. Sorry to hear this sad news!

To all the Laskey Family:

  I was a fellow employee of Dave's at both Eastern and United.Though I only knew Dave in passing at EAL we became friends during the commute to Chicago and the pre-flight times in our UAL operations.

   He was always a man of good cheer,one whose sense of humor made even the hard days at work not seem so bad.

    And as an "Officer of the Line",he was not only one who exceeded the standards set by UAL but one whose leadership as Captain garnered the respect of all who flew with him.

     He was looked up to by many...and will be missed by all.

I have known Dave since 1971 when he taught me to fly the Navy TA4 Skyhawks in Kingsville, Texas. We went our own ways to meet up again in the late 70s and early 80s in Carrier Air Wing Twenty. And finally we met again when Dave joined the Atlanta Quiet Birdman Hangar. Dave was a pilot's pilot. He will be missed by many. He was always there to help with a big grin and a warm hand shake. God bless him and his family.

To the Laskey Family, Dave loved all things aviation and will be missed by the many friends he made along the way. Our friendship began walking the picket line at Eastern and strengthened on the numerous commutes to Chicago with United. I am sad to hear of his passing but glad to have known him.
My sincere condolences to you all.

I understand your loss, through times share, memories made, he shall live on within many souls. He was part of my Eastern Air Lines Family and I had the pleasure of flying with him many times. He now soars the heavens with his forever wings. RIP Dave

To the Laskey Family,
We were saddened to learn of Dave's passing. He was a neighbor of ours for many years and we always enjoyed his stories, his laughter and his smile. He adored his children and spoke of them often. How fortunate you all were to be loved by him.

Philip, Megan, Creighton, Lynn, Edward, Clark, Greg and Brenda,

I am so sorry to learn that Dave has passed away.  Dave was a great guy and good friend of mine from the time we were neighbors at Terrell Mill Place.  Dave was always smiling and quick with a joke.  Dave was very proud of his children and grandchildren.  He loved his family, his country and his friends.  I will always smile when I think of Dave.  My sympathy to all of you.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

David Petersen Laskey

8 juin 1946 – 22 juin 2015

H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel

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