Centenarian takes flight at Wings & Wheels

At 100 years old, Alfred Sheehan, a decorated WWII pilot, is preparing to take to the skies once more at the Wings and Wheels Open House at Minden-Tahoe Airport.

Sheehan’s life story includes piloting B-17 and B-24 bombers during the war to flying aircraft like the DC-6 and Boeing 747 for Pan Am.

Sheehan grew up on his family’s farm in Oregon. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and became an instructional pilot. During World War II, he ferried aircraft and trained other recruits to fly B-24 bombers.

Following the war, Sheehan continued training in the aeronautical field and became a flight engineer for Pan American airlines, according to a story appearing in the May 21 edition of the Nevada Appeal.

“His position allowed him to meet politicians and celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers, Shirley MacLaine, John Wayne, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby,” according to the story. “He served as flight engineer on the airliner that first brought the Beatles to America on Feb. 7, 1964.”

Sheehan and his first wife, Kathleen, had two children, Larry and Terry. He later adopted a third child, Linda. Attracted to Nevada by the Reno Air Races, Sheehan and his current wife Susan moved to Reno in 1973 and later relocated to Carson City.

The new Minden Integral Senior Living community set to open in early 2025 in Minden, Sheehan’s dream of flying again is about to come true.

On Saturday, five veterans, including soon-to-be Valage resident Sheehan, will be riding in restored World War II planes during the Wings and Wheels event at Minden-Tahoe Airport.

Sheehan's dream flight has been made possible through ISL’s signature program, Livin’ the Dream, which has been enriching lives since 2013.

Another resident couple will be going on a trout fishing expedition at Bridgeport Reservoir on Aug. 30.

Valage Director of Sales and Marketing Karen Malekos Smith will be speaking at the opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.