Arthur Lindstrom

Arthur H. 'Art' Lindstrom, Jr., Polson, passed away of complications with leukemia, on Thursday, Aug. 28, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Loving hands of family members surrounded him as he begins another adventure. Art was born in Monroe, Louisiana on June 29, 1944 to A. Hugo Lindstrom, of Missoula and Doris (Fryberger) Lindstrom, Charlo. Art lived most of the past 64 years in Missoula, Frenchtown or Polson. Art married Valerie Siphers, of Arlee, in 1969. He attended schools in Missoula, was a University of Montana student for many years before joining the Montana National Guard in 1968. Art was an adventurous spirit who was an avid hunter, fisherman, scuba diver and skydiver in his early years and continued with backpacking and hiking, downhill and cross-country skiing and photography throughout his life. He always enjoyed a good beer at the end of the day. Art was foremost an aviator. His interest in aviation began early. As a child he walked a few blocks to the airport, Hale Field, now the site of Missoula's Sentinel High School and could be found playing in the old airframes scattered around Johnson Flying Service (JFS). He began working for JFS in 1965 as a ramp attendant, took flying lessons and in 1966, after achieving his commercial endorsements, he began his seasonal job as a co-pilot on DC-3s. He became a fulltime JFS employee in 1967 flying captain on the DC-3 and Twin Otter. He worked for JFS and later Evergreen Helicopters after they purchased JFS in 1975. Art left flying in 1976 to spend more time with his family. He tried various professions but the love for flying was too strong. At the age of 40 he realized his dream by being hired by United Airlines where he flew 18 years before retiring in 2003. He then returned to his favorite flying job, dropping smokejumpers from the Twin Otter during the summers of 2004 through 2006. Art was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Polson, a Cheerful Heart, Inc. board member, a member of the Montana Pilots' Association and Mission Valley Hanger. At the time of his passing he published the MPA bi-monthly newsletter and was Webmaster for the MPA Web site. Survivors include his mother, Doris, Missoula: sister, Janet, Sun City West, Arizona: wife, Valerie, Polson: son, Jeff and daughter-in-law Jenn and granddaughter Emma, Broomfield, Colo.: Nicole, Steamboat Springs, Colo. and Nicole's fianc��sh Alan Lindenlaub, Kremmling, Colo. The family is truly grateful to Dr. William Nichols, Montana Cancer Center, for keeping Art flying and living for the last eight years and the center's wonderfully supportive staff of chemo nurses for their capable hands and loving care: and during our 20-day hospital stay St. Pat's ICU staff, and all the nurses on 5 North. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Polson, 301 16th Ave. E., Polson followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. The family suggests memorials to Cheerful Heart, Inc., P.O. Box 688, Polson, MT 59860 (a non-profit providing non-medical services to Lake County cancer patients since 2002): the First United Methodist Church Technical Advances Fund, 301 16th Ave. E., Polson, MT 59860: or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163,800-344-4867.
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