Edward Skroch Jr.

edward skroch jr.
Edward Alfred Skroch Jr., 85, Fargo, ND passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Sanford Health. He was born November 21, 1932 to Edward and Anna (Cichos) Skroch in Minot, ND. Ed grew up in Fargo and developed a love of flying from his father. He earned his pilot’s license when he was only 16 years old. In 1950 he graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, now Shanley. Following graduation, he attended NDSU where he earned a business degree. After college, Ed joined the Air National Guard. Ed served as a fighter pilot with the Happy Hooligans for 30 years until his retirement in 1985. Ed owned and operated Skroch Flying Service, a crop dusting company, for 20 years. He loved flying airplanes. He is survived by his close friends, Darline Wahowske and Roger Madson. He was preceded in death by his parents. There will be a funeral service at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo with a visitation one hour prior. Memorials are preferred to the Fargo Air Museum

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  1. So sorry to hear of Ed’s death. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting him and will remember the twinkle in his eyes!

  2. I flew with Eddy in the NDANG and I can say with authority that Ed was one of a kind! It was always enjoyable running into Ed and talking over old times. His love of flying was his whole life and he will be dearly missed by all that new him. May God rest his soul!

    Tlar

  3. Ed was a classic. Used to enjoy visiting with him years ago at West Fargo Airport. He will be missed in the local aviation community.

  4. Sorry to read of Ed’s passing. Ed was a pilot with exceptional flying ability. My association goes way back over many years at the Air Guard and in civilian aviation pursuits as well. We had many enjoyable hours of “hangar flying”. His demeanor and quiet thoughtful presents was surprising to many who knew of his aviation pursuits and abilities. A true professional and personable person I would call a “friend”. God speed Eddie – Doug

  5. So sorry to hear of Ed’S death. My husband Don Caswell was a WSO’s and always said Ed was the best pilot he ever flew with. So long Ed.

  6. Not only did I fly with Eddie as a RO in the Guard which I always enjoyed, but he also did a lot of spraying on our family farm. No other spray pilot could fly as smooth and low as Eddie. I have old movies of him literally rolling the tires on the tops of the beets, and flying under power lines to do a better job. Then when done he would climb to no more than 3-400 feet, pickle off a marking streamer, split-s and cut it with the prop before it hit the ground! As everyone else noted, he was probably the best stick and rudder around.

    A true gentleman.

  7. Eddie was a unique fellow and I’m proud to say we were good friends. I could spend an hour telling stories involving Ed and me, but would like to share just a couple with you here. We were flying a BFM mission back in the F-4 training days and I fired off a simulated AIM-9 at Ed just as one of Ed’s engines burst into flame. Now that’s realistic training! Ed shut down the engine and brought the plane back with no further problems. One other time we returned to the field for a formation landing and one of Ed’s main gear refused to come down. We started circling the home drome while Ed and his GIB completed the checklist. Nothing was happening and we were all getting low on fuel so I asked if the checklist was complete. Ed said it was but for some reason I asked his GIB if he had pulled the emergency gear handle. No answer but about 10 seconds later the gear came down. Needless to say, we spent a considerable amount of time discussing checklist procedures in the debriefing! I loved flying the C-131 with Ed. He was exceptional in that environment and I always tried to watch and learn from him. Many times when I would make the takeoff, we would get airborne and Ed would raise the gear for me. Then he would clap his hands, look at me and say, “Isn’t it great to be flying!” I remember watching in awe as Ed sprayed a field just north of the headquarters building. It was a small field and had a tall shelterbelt on the east end. Any other spray pilot would do the normal (safe) pull up and circle around for the next pass. Not Ed. When he approached the trees, he just pulled straight up, did a hammerhead stall and came back down for the next pass. Unbelievable!!! Of coarse, he probably knew all of his fighter jock buddies were watching and he wanted to show us how it’s really done. I really miss Eddie now that he’s gone and deeply regret that I didn’t spend some time with him after our days at the Guard. Rest in peace, my friend.

  8. Eddie was a great guy, and an expert pilot in a cub or a supersonic fighter. As a Hooligan RO, I always enjoyed flying with Eddie. He was unassuming, genuine, someone you could trust. It’s sad to hear he is gone.

  9. We’ll miss Ed at the neighborhood social gatherings. He brought a unique personality to the group. He had a big heart and lived a good life. We’ll remember the good times. Sorry we are so far away right now.

    Carol & Charlie

  10. DARLINE, I AM SO SORRY TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE AT ED’S SERVICE BUT I WOULD NOT DARE
    TO GO OUT AS I FELL SUNDAY AND REALLY MOVING SLOW NOW. MY DRIVER WOULD SAY NO YOU ARE NOT GOING OUT. DO WISH I COULD BE THERE WITH YOU. LOVE, KATHY ROSENDAHL

  11. I lived next door to Ed, to the north of him, from 1983-93. We didn’t see him a lot, he often left early and came home late. Sorry to hear of his passing.

  12. Very sorry to see Ed has left us. I was fortunate to be on the 1978 William Tell Team with Ed during the F4 era at the North Dakota Air National Guard. It is a somber reminder for me personally that our days on this earth are finite and at some day we all must go where I am confident that Ed has gone. It is written in John 14:1-6. As Ed lead the 1978 William Tell team, perhaps he has departed to as to lead all left behind to his new Home.

    14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going. 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

    I sincerely and humbly hope and pray that those missing Ed will be comforted in knowing……

    Field “Plunger” McConnell….one of Ed’s many “wingmen”
    Plum City Wisconsin

  13. My dad and Ed were good friends. They sprayed together and worked together. Flying was their passion! Rest In Peace.

    Deepest Sympathies
    Carlton Goughnour

  14. Reading over these comments I could tell Ed was a very talented man and will be missed by many. However, we all have hope to see loved ones that have passed such as ed. The Bible shares that hope with us in acts 24:15 reassuring us that “there will be a resurrection”. I hope this scripture brings hope and warmth to the hearts of those who miss Ed and I’m deeply sorry for your loss!


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