Schmarr remembered for love of family, country, God

Dan Schmarr dreamed of flying when he was young.

His sister, Willa Sims, said he’d speak of dreams in which he was soaring through the sky, waving his arms and gliding past clouds like a bird.

Those boyhood dreams foreshadowed his life as an Air Force pilot and KHQ radio and TV’s first “Eye in the Sky.” Family members say they also foreshadow what he’s doing now up in heaven: soaring.

Schmarr died Dec. 9 at the age of 71, ending a life his family says exemplifies what it means to be a loving father and husband, a patriot and a son of God.

Trying to describe a man like Dan in a few words is difficult, said Dave Schmarr, the younger of his two sons, because “it’s impossible to capture the essence of someone who’s larger than life.”

Schmarr spent his life as a pilot, but “as important as flying was to Dad, his family and his spiritual life and his patriotism all trumped that,” his son said.

But flying seemed to go hand-in-hand with all those things.

Family and friends agree that Schmarr’s patriotism was fueled by his military duties, and piloting planes was seen as an extension of his relationship with God.

“I think every time he flew it was a spiritual experience,” Sims said.

His love of flying was passed along to his family, particularly Dave Schmarr, now an pilot with American Airlines

Dave Schmarr credits his dad with bestowing in him the love and attitude needed to be a good father to his own children.

In a reflection written just after Schmarr’s death and read at the Dec. 15 memorial service, Dave Schmarr recalls a conversation the two had about raising his young children. Dave Schmarr wanted to know how his dad managed to raise three children who grew into hardworking and successful adults.

His dad’s answer, Dave Schmarr writes, was simple: “The best thing that you can do for your children is to love their mother.”

Schmarr and his wife, Kay, were together for more than 50 years. She was with him during the 20 years he spent in the Air Force, where he flew U-2 spy planes for the military and for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Schmarr was one of 10 U-2 pilots credited with discovering the missiles in Cuba that led to the Cuban Missile Crisis. His proudest accomplishment, his family says, came when he led the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Night Owls” during the Vietnam War.

A friend and fellow pilot, Ron Strack, said though every pilot tends to think of himself as the best of the bunch, there was no denying Schmarr’s phenomenal flying skills.

Though Strack and his friends were some of the best pilots out there, “I’m not so sure we were better than Dan Schmarr,” he said.

Schmarr’s innate ability to lead during combat benefited countless young pilots, Strack said, as is reflected in the number of letters and e-mails Kay Schmarr received from pilots upon his death, praising his dynamic leadership skills.

“You need strong leadership in those types of roles; there’s a lot of mental anguish involved.” Strack said. “There’s no telling how many young men’s lives he saved.”

Schmarr’s boss at KHQ, Dean Mill, said Schmarr performed his duties as the station’s “Eye in the Sky” with a flair unmatched by anyone else, and he could adapt to any situation.

“He would be at home in any era of this country’s history,” Mill said.

His skills as a pilot and cameraman made it possible for him to shoot his own footage for the station while flying, then drop the film down to the studio just a half an hour before showtime, Mill said.

Schmarr’s larger-than-life personality and endearing spirit made him a celebrity in the Spokane area, his family said, more so than his status as KHQ’s “Eye in the Sky.”

Frequently called on to speak at events and to various organizations around Spokane, Schmarr’s personality made those who heard him speak feel like they had known him forever, family members say.

His calm and collected demeanor stayed with him until the day he died, Kay Schmarr said, recalling a phone conversation she overheard between him and an old golfing buddy just days before his death.

His friend had learned to play golf in conditions that allowed players to reposition the ball before hitting it, something Schmarr always teased him about when they golfed together.

The friend called to talk with Schmarr while he was on his deathbed, Kay Schmarr said, and when asked how he was doing, Schmarr’s response echoed his outlook on life.

“I’m just playing it as it lies,” Schmarr said.