Quentin “Butch” Underkofler

Hi Bob,
I was reading the last issue of the Airline Pilot magazine. It listed all the pilots who passed away this year. I found that Capt Quentin “Butch” Underkofler,VP-4 from 1971-1974, died in Feb 2001.

So I did some checking and received the following info from Hawaiian Airlines pilot union.

Captain QUENTIN “Butch” UNDERKOFLER, 56, of Aiea, HI, formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Feb. 8, 2001. He is survived by wife, Melinda; daughters, Amy and Abby; mother, Jan; brother, Mark; sisters, Mari Taake and Susan.

Memorial services were held at Aiea United Methodist Church and Sacred Heart Church, Honolulu. Donations may be made to “Quentin Underkofler Scholarship Fund.”

A Personal Note…

Butch was my PPC in 73/74 when I was Crew 2 Tacco. He had previously served a tour in Vietnam flying combat missions in HAL-4. He was an exceptional “stick”, a quiet but effective leader, a great PPC/Mission Commander, and a close friend. It was unique that Butch and I had served tours in Vietnam, we had been stationed at and visited several of the same locations.

Melinda (Mel), his wife, told me that Butch’s ashes were scattered at his two favorite places on Oahu and that a plaque commerating his Naval service is in place at Punchbowl National Cemetary. She plans to teach and stay on Oahu for one more year and then move back to the “mainland” to be closer to her daughters, Amy and Abby. Her address is:

Melinda Underkofler 99-965 Hoio St Aiea HI 96701 808-488-4901

With a saddened heart, I wish my buddy Butch goodby… Our memories together will forever brighten my day….

Bob Zafran