Roy Shwery
Roy and Lois Shwery's contribution to the Marshfield Municipal Airport
Roy & Lois Shwery
Pictured from left to right: Dan Maurer, Roy Shwery and Lois Shwery. This photo was taken at the airport dedication when Roy's name was added to the official name of the airport.
Roy Shwery was born in Janesville, WI in July 19th, 1923. He began his flying career with the Janesville Flying Service in 1939. He received his commercial license and flight instructors's rating at the age of 18 in 1941. During the summer of 1942 Roy served as an instructor of pre-glider Army students at Janesville.
Roy joined the Army Air Corps. In January 1944, and was graduated in December of 1944 from air cadet training which took him to Montgomery, Alabama; Selma, Alabama; Denver, Colorado; El Paso, Texas; and Fort Worth, Texas. He was trained in piloting B-17 and B-29 aircraft.
Roy was discharged from military service in February 1946. In March of 1946 he came to Marshfield, WI where he was employed by the Marshfield Flying Service. Marshfield Flying Service was the first Fixed Based Operator, (FBO) at the first official City airport for Marshfield. Prior to this there were three other airports in Marshfield that were privately owned.
Marshfield Flying Service was owned and operated by Roy Kinlund, Leo Van Ert and Wally Loomis. Roy Kinlund was the first airport manager of the City own Marshfield Municipal Airport. Marshfield Flying Service operated five two-place Mainers and in the summer of 1946 purchased a military surplus BT-13 Vaultec single engine aircraft which seated two passengers and a pilot. The BT-13 was red mainly for scenic flights.
Roy Shwery eventually purchased Marshfield Flying Service in 1949 and changed its name to Marshfield Airways Inc. With the help of local Marshfield business owner William Roddis of Roddis Plywood, Roy purchased his first Beech 18 and created a regional air carrier service Midsstate Airlines based in Marshfield, WI.
With the Mid-State Airlines operating out of Marshfield, WI for its hub, it quickly grew to serve many airports in Wisconsin. It also had flights into Minneapolis, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois. One of its famous and often requested flight was the Friday evening champaign flight that returned to Marshfield. Bottled champaign and home baked goods made by Lois Shwery were served to the passengers.
Roy and Lois expand Midstate Airlines and with their help the airport. Paved surfaces, runway expansions, instrument approaches, weather observations stations, hangars and many of the other things located at the airport today are because of Roy and Lois.
In addition to the contributions and establishment of the services at the Marshfield Municipal Airport, Roy helped train and employ a great many pilots who owe their careers to Roy over the years.
Roy passed away Oct. 26th, 2010 at the age of 87. Roy was still teaching people to fly well into his 80's.
Lois passed away March 14th, 2014 at the age of 87.
Roy joined the Army Air Corps. In January 1944, and was graduated in December of 1944 from air cadet training which took him to Montgomery, Alabama; Selma, Alabama; Denver, Colorado; El Paso, Texas; and Fort Worth, Texas. He was trained in piloting B-17 and B-29 aircraft.
Roy was discharged from military service in February 1946. In March of 1946 he came to Marshfield, WI where he was employed by the Marshfield Flying Service. Marshfield Flying Service was the first Fixed Based Operator, (FBO) at the first official City airport for Marshfield. Prior to this there were three other airports in Marshfield that were privately owned.
Marshfield Flying Service was owned and operated by Roy Kinlund, Leo Van Ert and Wally Loomis. Roy Kinlund was the first airport manager of the City own Marshfield Municipal Airport. Marshfield Flying Service operated five two-place Mainers and in the summer of 1946 purchased a military surplus BT-13 Vaultec single engine aircraft which seated two passengers and a pilot. The BT-13 was red mainly for scenic flights.
Roy Shwery eventually purchased Marshfield Flying Service in 1949 and changed its name to Marshfield Airways Inc. With the help of local Marshfield business owner William Roddis of Roddis Plywood, Roy purchased his first Beech 18 and created a regional air carrier service Midsstate Airlines based in Marshfield, WI.
With the Mid-State Airlines operating out of Marshfield, WI for its hub, it quickly grew to serve many airports in Wisconsin. It also had flights into Minneapolis, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois. One of its famous and often requested flight was the Friday evening champaign flight that returned to Marshfield. Bottled champaign and home baked goods made by Lois Shwery were served to the passengers.
Roy and Lois expand Midstate Airlines and with their help the airport. Paved surfaces, runway expansions, instrument approaches, weather observations stations, hangars and many of the other things located at the airport today are because of Roy and Lois.
In addition to the contributions and establishment of the services at the Marshfield Municipal Airport, Roy helped train and employ a great many pilots who owe their careers to Roy over the years.
Roy passed away Oct. 26th, 2010 at the age of 87. Roy was still teaching people to fly well into his 80's.
Lois passed away March 14th, 2014 at the age of 87.
The first aircraft Roy used to start his airlines was a Beech 18. A replica of this aircraft can be seen today proudly at the entrance of the airport for all to see. (Pictured Right). This replica sits atop the airport sign letting all who pass by know where the airport is. The replica has the N-number of Roy's first Beech 18 as well as the paint scheme used on the airplane.
