Conrad Michael Kay

MAJOR CONRAD MICHAEL "CASEY" KAY
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Conrad Michael "Casey" Kay was a proud member of the United States Air Force Academy's historic first graduating Class of 1959. Born to Arthur and Selma Kay in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Casey was raised in Taos, New Mexico, carrying a lifelong spirit of adventure and a deep commitment to aviation and service.

MILITARY SERVICE & AVIATION CAREER
Following his graduation from the Academy in 1959, Casey entered pilot training at Bartow Air Base and Webb Air Force Base. He excelled as an aviator, transitioning quickly into a leadership role as an Instructor Pilot with the 3561 Pilot Training Squadron at Webb AFB, where he trained the next generation of Air Force pilots from 1960 to 1964.

In 1964, Casey was deployed to South Vietnam, serving as a flight instructor and pilot flying the Cessna U-17. His dedicated service during the conflict earned him the Air Medal.

After completing ten years of military service and achieving the rank of O-3 (Major / Captain), Casey transitioned to commercial aviation. In 1965, he was hired by American Airlines, beginning a distinguished 32-year career as a commercial pilot. Based out of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Captain Kay was highly respected by his peers as a skilled aviator, mentor, and dedicated professional until his retirement from the airline in 1997.

HOBBIES & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Beyond his career in the skies, Casey was a passionate volunteer with a true "servant's heart." Upon retiring from commercial aviation, he dedicated thousands of hours to Mercy MedFlight in Fort Worth, Texas, serving as Chief of Operations. His leadership and immense contributions to transporting patients in need earned him the Volunteer of the Year award from Texas Governor Rick Perry in 2004.

Casey was also an active fixture in the local aviation community. He was a charter member of the Rolly Cole Chapter 24 of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) in the early 1970s, where he flew aerobatics. He was also a deeply valued member of the Texas Soaring Association, where he volunteered for tough jobs, flew sailplanes, and served as a tow pilot. When he wasn't in the air, Casey could be found riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle or cheering on his favorite baseball team, the Texas Rangers.

FAMILY & LEGACY

In December 2013, Casey celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary alongside his beloved wife, Rosalind "Roz" Rubinow, whom he married in 1963. Together, they were blessed with two daughters, Jennifer and Rachel, and two grandsons, Jonathan and David, whom he loved dearly.

Casey passed away on March 18, 2014, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a pioneer of the Air Force Academy, a masterful pilot, and a selfless community servant.



EDUCATION

B.S., United States Air Force Academy (Class of 1959)
MEDALS & AWARDS
Air Medal
Texas Governor's Volunteer of the Year (2004)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1959–1960 Pilot Training Bartow Air Base / Webb Air Force Base
1960–1964 Instructor Pilot (3561 Pilot Training Squadron) Webb Air Force Base, Texas
1964–1965 Pilot / Flight Instructor (U-17) South Vietnam
1965–1997 Pilot (Captain) American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX)
1997–2014 Chief of Operations / Volunteer Pilot Mercy MedFlight (Fort Worth, TX)