Sidney Dean Gates (1932 - 2021)

Born 21 Jun 1932 in Cassody, Butler, Kansas, United States [uncertain]

Died 15 May 2021 at age 88 in Centennial, Arapahoe, Colorado, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Sidney, or Sid as he preferred, was born in Cassody, KS^[1] on June 21, 1932.^[2] He was one of four children born to Russell and Eva (Hoberecht) Gates.

Sid's family moved to a farm near Wichita, KS a few miles from the Culver airplane plant just as WWII was ramping up. From the fields of that farm, Sid watched in awe as P-38s were “rat-racing” around at tree-top level, usually one pair chasing another. Sid knew, right then and there, that he would some day fly. At 6’2” however, Sid’s first flight would be the jump shot.

By Sid’s senior year he was a starter for the Newton High School basketball team. It was there that Sid met Shirley McJilton who asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance. He went to that dance with Shirley, despite the fact that he was also seeing another girl. According to Sid: “A few weeks later Shirley gave me an ultimatum: quit dating that other girl or else! I chose Shirley: my best decision, ever.” Sid and Shirley married on May 31, 1952. The couple would have two children during their 63 years of marriage.

His artistry with a basketball landed him a full scholarship to University of Wichita, from which he graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in business. College also gave Sid his path to becoming a pilot.

While at the University of Wichita, he enrolled in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) ROTC program. There he was introduced to aeromodeling. Sid recalled, “On my first flight, the model rolled a couple feet, I gave it up elevator, as it lifted off the ground it immediately turned left, flew straight at me, and crashed.” At that point he knew he was hooked.

After being commissioned as an officer in the USAF, Sid was able to realize his dream of flying when he was accepted into the pilot training program. He graduated from pilot training and received his pilot’s wings in May 1956. He became an Air Force fighter pilot flying the F-94C as part of the Fighter Interceptor Squadron based in Rome, NY. He separated from the Air Force in December 1958, having reached the rank of captain.

Although he was no longer in the cockpit, Sid's love of flying took the form of building and flying radio-controlled model airplanes. Sid and his growing family moved to Denver in July of 1960. In 1968, He started Royal Electronics, a company that designed and built radio control systems for model airplanes. His passion was now his business.

He also owned and operated Tech Industries and Direct Source, computer consulting and manufacturing businesses until his retirement in 2005.

Sid remained an active modeler and was inducted into the Academy of Model Aeronautics Hall of Fame in 2014. He was an ardent tennis player until he found pickleball, which gave him a community of friends who helped fill the void in his heart when, in 2015, he lost his beloved wife and companion.

Sidney died 15 May 2021. Sid and Shirley shared a life filled with love, laughter, and model airplanes. According to Shirley, “Best days were when Sid brought a plane back home; worst days were when the plane came back home, but in pieces.” They are together again with only best days ahead!

Note: This biography is basically the obituary published on-line by Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd. Centennial, CO 80121.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ See Research Notes
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227437015/sidney-dean-gates: accessed 01 December 2022), memorial page for Sidney Dean Gates (21 Jun 1932–15 May 2021), Find a Grave Memorial ID 227437015, citing Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Denver County, Colorado, USA; Maintained by Carolyn Selby (contributor 47037989)
3. ↑ "https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/centennial-co/sidney-gates-10200776"

• Bates-Dyson-Hatch Families by Larry L. Krug, self-published in 1983

Find a Grave, memorial # 227437015