September 7, 2023 – Hartford, WI – Hartford’s Steve Krog will be inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 14, at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh.
Krog flies every morning, 7 days a week. “Every summer I have about 20 to 25 new students and the last four years we’ve had a lot of young people who have decided they want to pursue aviation,” he said. “It’s a great career opportunity.”
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At 75-years-old, Krog has been a member of the Wisconsin Aviation group for the last 10 – 15 years. “I never felt I was ever worthy of being recognized so it was quite a surprise and quite an honor,” Krog said.
“I do have to thank my wife for putting up with my erratic hours, particularly during the summer and I want to thank everyone else for giving me the recognition.”
WAHF has inducted more than 140 men and women since 1986. A list of upcoming inductees is below.
Steven Krog
Steve grew up on a Minnesota farm directly under the flight path of North Central DC-3s, which flew between Minneapolis and Brookings, South Dakota, each day. He took his first flight lessons in his junior year of college at Batting Aviation in Brookings. He passed his check ride in March 1969, eventually earning his commercial multi-engine, instrument, and instructor ratings.
Steve and his wife Sharon moved to Hartford, Wisconsin, in the early 1980s and taught tailwheel flying almost every night and weekend for fifteen years. In January 2000, Steve and Sharon became managers of “The Cub Club” and on April 1, 2004, Steve left his day job and opened Cub Air Flight, LLC, training students exclusively in Piper J-3 Cubs.
Steve also served as the president of the Midwest Antique Airplane Club (MAAC) for 13 years, assisted with the launch of EAA’s Young Eagles program, and is an active speaker at area schools and community organizations.
He authors and publishes the Cub Club newsletter and is a monthly contributor for EAA’s Sport Aviation magazine. In 2012 Cub Air Flight hosted the Pre-AirVenture Oshkosh Piper Cub 75th Anniversary event and launched 75 Cubs at sunrise for a mass arrival at the show. Steve remains active in EAA Boards, as an instructor, author, and tailwheel expert.
Lynn Erickson
Lynn Erickson, Waunakee, has devoted his most recent 20 years to resurrecting airports and educating students. Using his 17,000 hours of flight experience as Chief Pilot for an international flight department, worldwide demonstration pilot for Cessna Citations and Caravans, and personal love of flight in his Cessna 182 and Great Lakes biplane, Lynn has worked tirelessly in his retirement, giving back to aviation.
Since 2005 he has designed, organized, and managed the construction of two hangar complexes with 14 hangars at the Waunakee Airport (P63) and at the Sauk Prairie Airport (91C) installed a self-service fuel system, which he owns and manages. His skill at developing and maintaining good relationships has resulted in active community involvements in events including annual picnics, airport/community breakfasts, safety programs, career days, and an outreach program touting the benefits of an airport. The NBAA has honored Lynn with its 15,000 Hour Safety Award.
Merton Baker
Born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, in 1924, Merton Baker entered the US Army Air Corps in 1943, receiving his pilot wings one year later. As a b-24 co-pilot in Italy, he flew 35 missions and was reassigned to Fairchild Susun Air Base in California flying C-54s in the Pacific Theater. He separated from service and served as a civilian flight instructor in North Carolina before being recalled to active service during the Korean War flying T-33 and B-47 aircraft in Kansas. From 1957 – 1962 Merton was a B-52 acceptance pilot and later an Air Force plant representative for Cessna.
During Vietnam, Baker flew 150 combat missions in the EB-66 receiving the Distinguished Flying cross He retired as Major General in 1981 after commanding the Air Force Contract Management Division of the Air Force Systems Command in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Major General Baker’s awards during his 7,000 flight hours in 21 different aircraft include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, Air Medal with 11 oak clusters, Joint Service commendations, Air Force Commendation with cluster. He passed away on October 17, 2000.
Tom Bouchard
Tom began flying commercially in 1962 in Ashland, Wisconsin, eventually flying for Midstate Airlines in 1966 until the airline ended operations in 1989. During his time with Midstate, Tom accumulated almost 5,000 hours in Beech 18s. He served as the airline’s check airman and check pilot, training many pilots for that company in Beech 99s, Fairchild Metroliners, and Fokker 27s. In 1995 Tom began flying Cessna Citations for C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Company in Ashland. Tom was appointed to the Wisconsin Council of the Bureau of Aeronautics by Governor Lucey in 1976.
Tom was awarded the FAA’s prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2012, in honor of 50 years of safe flying. He logged a total of 28,000 flight hours in his 38-year career. Tom’s labors paved the way for the legacy of Bouchard family pilots. He is affectionately known as the Ambassador of Ashland’s John F Kennedy Memorial Airport (ASX).
*Aviation photos courtesy Steve Krog.
