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| Professor John D. Ackerman 1897-1972 Born in Latvia, Soviet Union. Akerman migrated to Russia when the Germans took over Latvia, and learned to fly there in 1916. He moved to France, where he flew for the French Air Force, before coming to the U. S. in 1918. He received an Engineering degree from the University of Michigan and worked for Stout-Ford until 1927 and for the Hamilton Metalplane Company for a while after that. He began work for the Mohawk Aircraft Company in 1928, where he did engineering redesign of the Mohawk airplane and joined the University of Minnesota in 1929, becoming head of the Aeronautical Engineering Department in 1930, when the Department was separated from the rest of the Engineering School. He stayed until 1958, and during that time, authored many books and articles on structures and meteorology. He was a consultant to the Boeing Company and a major part of the team that designed the B-29 wing. Professor Akerman was instrumental in starting the University's Rosemount Aeronautical Research Center, and headed that until 1962. He served as one of five Commissioners of the 1933 Minnesota Aeronautics Commission. Inducted 1990 |
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| Robert Aldrich 1906-1993 Aldrich studied engineering as a student at RPI University in New York. He learned to fly at age 22, bought an airplane, and started a flying service. He helped design an airport in Albany, then another in Troy, NY, where he became airport manager. He served as President of the New York State Airport Manager's Association and worked for American Airlines. In 1943, the Minnesota State legislature organized the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and hired Aldrich as Executive Director. He served seventeen years in this capacity, during which time he directed the MAC's $54 million expansion program at Wold-Chamberlain Field and helped create the metropolitan reliever airport system that enhances both the commercial air traffic movement and the general aviation access to service. Aldrich was controversial, but dedicated to building and preserving the International Airport as an economic focus for Minnesota business. Inducted 1994 |
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| Olof A. "Ole" Anderson 1903-1996 Ole Anderson was born in Linkoping, Sweden. After working in Swedish aircraft factories, he migrated to America and became a resident of North Dakota. He barnstormed the Dakotas and Minnesota and joined Northwest Airlines in 1941. Anderson helped pioneer the Northern Routes through Canada and Alaska. Ole retired in 1963 and made his home in Minnesota. He was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 1992. Inducted 1992 |
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| Roger Anderson 1923 Born in St. Paul, Anderson began a lifetime of aviation maintenance and education in 1941. He worked for Northwest Airlines in their Accelerated Structures Test Branch at Vandalia, Ohio helping to set up maintenance procedures. In 1944, in the Civil Service, he worked on aircraft at Ford Island, Hawaii. After the war, he joined the Minnesota Air Guard, to work on jet fighters while also working on civilian aircraft for local businesses. He also owned and flew several of his own aircraft. |
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| Rowland Anderson 1912-1978 Anderson was born in Cyrus, Minnesota. An advanced student, he entered college at age 14. He had a Master's degree in Mathematics prior to entering Naval Air Service in World War II. As an aerial navigator, he helped develop radar bombing tactics. After the war, he helped pioneer radar tracking of hurricanes, flying night hurricane patrol. He helped develop radar detection of snorkeling submarines during this time, taking time off from studying for a Ph.D. to demonstrate these techniques to the Pentagon. Following his military service, he entered the education field, teaching at St. Cloud State Teacher's College. He developed the aviation degree program there and organized the Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) Aero Club, which he guided to several national championships during the early 1960s. He inspired hundreds of students to take up aviation careers. Inducted 1994 |
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| Eugene Andreotti 1921- Chief master sergeant Andreotti began his aviation career at Holman Field, St. Paul, as a mechanic for a fixed-base operator (FBO). He served in World War II as a gunner on B-29s, flying 22 combat missions. Following the war he worked in the engine shop for Northwestern Aeronautical at Holman Field. He joined the Minnesota Air National Guard and rose to the rank of chief master sergeant. After retiring, Andreotti led a team that built a replica Curtiss Oriole for a flight commemorating the Minnesota Air Guard’s anniversary. He co-founded the Southern Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and continues to help maintain their aircraft at Fleming Field, South St. Paul. Inducted 2001 |
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| Harold W. "Bill" Atkins 1919 Nebraska native Harold “Bill” Atkins was a B-17 instructor and B-29 instructor during World War II. After the war he joined Northwest Airlines. He was assigned to Air Vietnam and flew in Southeast Asia before moving to Greece to train Olympic Airways pilots on Boeing 720s purchased from Northwest. He developed the strobe light used today on most commercial and military aircraft around the world. Inducted 1996 |
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