To talk about Eddie Duffard, you must talk about flying.
Many years ago people in his neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana were aware of his ability and excitement when he took the neighborhood children for their first airplane ride. And as the neighborhood pilot, he came to the aid of some of them when it was necessary to quickly get to a sick or dying parent. Sometimes he would fly friends to and from the Gulf Coast because Eddie was always eager to fly. As a teenager, Eddie built and flew model airplanes. He always loved anything about flying. He would go for a plane ride with anyone who asked him.
During World War II, while in the Navy, he came into contact with military pilots who were training to instruct. Having no students to instruct they took men from the flight crew, like Eddie, up with them. This may have been the beginning of his career as an instructor.
Eddie worked at Ethyl Corporation for 42 years and 9 months (as he would say). While there, he embarked on his interest in flying. In the afternoons and on weekends, he was at some airport in the area. Back then we had two of them, the downtown airport and Harding Field.
He easily made friends with his students. One of his greatest attributes was his ability to downplay his personal accomplishments. He preferred to discuss the success of his many students.
Word spread and with an instructor's license in his belt some fathers and mothers, husbands and wives entrusted their children and each other to Eddie to learn to fly.
Through the years many articles have been written about him. He has been nominated and received various awards. Some being the Good Friend Award presented to him by the Federal Aviation Administration, A Certificate of Recognition presented by the Baton Rouge Traffic Control Tower and the Orville & Wilbert "Kitty Hawk" award for his aviation contributions.
He has been recognized by the 99's for his support of Women in Aviation and received the FAA Safety Award at the Louisiana Governor's Mansion in 1997. In 1998 he was honored for his dedication in aviation in Atchison, Kansas at the International Forest of Friendship. The Forest of Friendship honors those who have contributed to aviation, among whom are included Orville and Wilbur Wright, John Glenn and Amelia Earhart. Among the many listed in Who's Who in aviation is a plaque bearing his name.
In 1999, Governor Foster name April 21st Edward G. Duffard Day. At Metro Airport in Baton Rouge (the only airport), there is an Eddie Duffard Drive. Metro Airport was formally called Ryan Field and originally called Harding Field where it all began for Eddie.
Eddie died Monday January 14, 2008 at age 86 at home. Eddie and Rose lived in their same home since 1958.
