Peter Wright Sr.

WEST CHESTER, PENNA. — Peter Wright Sr. died on June 1, 2007.

Born May 25, 1917, in Portland, Ore., he was the husband of Simone Fan Wright and the late Mary Roberts Wright.

After attending Yale University for two years, he joined the Navy and graduated from Pensacola Naval Flight School in 1940. He served as a dive-bomber pilot on several aircraft carriers, and in 1941 joined the Flying Tigers, an American volunteer group, flying P-40s in China against the Japanese.

Upon returning to the United States, he became a trans-Atlantic pilot and worked for the first commercial helicopter company in the United States. He founded the Keystone Helicopter Corp. in Philadelphia and was chairman until 2001. He was also chairman emeritus of Keystone Helicopters until 2005, when the company was acquired by Sikorsky Aircraft.

He was a co-founder of the American Helicopter Museum, which opened in West Chester in 1996. He was an officer and director of the Helicopter Association of America, a trustee of the Helicopter Foundation International, a longtime member of the Wings Club of New York City, the American Helicopter Society in Washington, D.C., and the Twirly Birds.

In addition to his wife, Simone, he is survived by four children: Mary A. Wright of Hampton Wick, England, Kathleen R. Wright of Philadelphia, Penna., Peter Wright Jr. of Park City, Utah, and Timothy P. Wright of Chester Springs, Penna.; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his brother, Ernest N. Wright of Randolph.

A memorial service was held June 5 in Bryn Mawr, Penna. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to the American Helicopter Museum, 1220 American Blvd., West Chester, Penna. 19380.

Arrangements are being handled by Stuard Funeral Home of Ardmore, Penna.

____________