The pilot's lounge at the Weyburn Airport has been re-opened as the 'Tom Kerr Pilot's Lounge'. Friends and family of Tom Kerr, who passed away this winter, gathered together on August 12 at the Weyburn Airport for the re-opening of the lounge in his name.
Kerr was a Firefighter with the Weyburn Fire Department for 32 years in total. By the time he retired in 1988, he had been Fire Chief for 24 years.
Tom's hobby was flying. Upon his retirement he spent more time at the airport flying, selling aviation fuel, building hangars, ensuring coffee was on and greeting pilots. He was involved with CHSARA (Civil Air Search and Rescue Association) serving as Commander, Director and Dispatcher for a number of years. His last job had the title of Airport Manager but he did so much more. To him it wasn't a job, it was his passion. Helping others was just part of his nature.
Kerr's daughter, Maureen Miller, travelled from Kelowna to be present for the re-opening event.
"It means a lot to us as a family that he would be recognized for his passion for aviation," she said, thanking all of his pilot friends who had gathered that day.
Miller recalled the many times that she and the other kids would sit in the pilot's lounge and ask questions, which her dad would answer.
"He always had that curious mind, so I guess that is what I would want the family to leave behind, is just to live with passion, stay curious, keep asking questions and, as in the Saskatchewan tradition, silence is strength."
The official ribbon-cutting was followed by a cake-cutting inside the lounge.
