“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~ William James
A hallmark of work ethic and passion in all one undertakes can be transformative, not only for oneself, but for all those touched by the fruits of one’s labors.
It is with that focus that Michael and Kathleen Redlawsk have established a very special Scholarship Award to advance Academic Excellence in honor of Michael’s parents, Bernard P. Redlawsk (Bernie) and Judith Redlawsk (Judy).
With the goal of the Award to benefit future healthcare professionals who have found purpose in the calling of medicine, the new Scholarship, named the The Bernard P. Redlawsk and Judith Redlawsk Scholarship for Academic Excellence will honor the steadfast character of the couple, one that shone as a beacon. A conviction of conscience, a heart of compassion, and a life of purpose defined the late Bernard Redlawsk (September 23, 1929 – September 13, 2006) and to this day, his loving wife, Judith.
Both of the named scholarship honorees were master aviators who embodied the noble virtues of determination and dedication to mission possessing the passion to achieve excellence while overcoming adversity.
The pair’s inquisitive and curious minds propelled them to aspirational heights both figuratively and literally as their futures were defined and shaped by early aviation successes.
As a teenager, Bernie, a Michigan native, traded work for airplane rides from a local instructor where he learned basic flying skills and aircraft mechanics.
Bernie entered the United States Air Force at 17-years-old. In 1946, he was assigned to the Pacific Command as part of the occupation force based in Japan, where he served as an aircraft mechanic.
Returning stateside, Bernie continued studying aviation, achieving a raft of certifications.
Early in his career, he took up crop dusting to pay for his love of flying. A serious accident occurred during this period, one that nearly took his life. Bernie was so severely injured that his obituary was printed as it was assumed he would never recover.
Providence and Bernie’s tenacity combined, and with the help of family and friends, the young aviator made a miraculous recovery.
While working in the corporate flight department in Michigan, he met Francis, a British girl who worked at the airport diner. They were married and within a few years had three children.
A pilot and skilled mechanic, Bernie was invited to move his young family to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to join the Harsco Corporation Flight Department.
Discovering he had engaged with an unprofessional and unsafe flight department, and standing for his values of safety and respect for regulations (and at great risk to his family’s financial resources), he resigned his position.
Months later, recognizing Bernie’s principled professional approach to aviation management, the company President asked Bernie to return and to take Harsco’s Chief Pilot position.
He remained the Chief Pilot and Aviation Manager at Harsco for over 25 years, until his retirement.
In 1976, his wife tragically passed away.
Bernie had simple rules: take personal responsibility, have principles and integrity, respect all that others have done for you, and learn enough so you can rely upon your own abilities.
Years passed and in 1990, with much in common and with a mutual love of aviation, Bernie and Judith Congreve married.
When Bernie died in 2006, Judy carried on – flying to the present day.
An accomplished aviator in her own right, Judy’s flight history had early beginnings.
At a young age, Judy had worked at a local flight school, taking her first solo flight at 16 and receiving her Private Pilots License on her seventeenth birthday. A year later she had earned her Commercial Certificate and shortly thereafter her Air Transport Pilots Certificate.
A skilled Flight instructor and Instrument Flight Instructor for Single and multi-engine airplanes, such positions for women were rare in the early ‘70s – considered at that time a man’s profession.
After completing Aviation College, Judy joined a charter airline as a flight attendant, continuing to work as a part time pilot.
Later managing the flight attendant crew for a travel club that owned and operated a DC8, her commitment to training eventually led her to the cockpit.
She qualified to fly the Travel Club DC8 as a Copilot while she continued to manage the flight attendants and the travel itineraries of the member passengers.
By the age of 24, Judy was a qualified 4-engine jet pilot who had worldwide flying experience – an unusual feat five decades ago.
Bernie had met Judy at Atlantic Aviation in Wilmington, Delaware and as his copilot, he had been immediately impressed.
Judy joined Bernie at Harsco where she became an aviation expert, navigating deftly through FAA bureaucracy and airspace procedures as the aviation environment continually changed.
Judy became Bernie’s top pilot and second in command at Harsco, ultimately serving as Chief Pilot and Flight Operations Director for Harsco Corporation.
After Bernie’s passing in 2006, Judy continued her impressive work in aviation.
Judy and Bernie believed that family, faith, and commitment to others are the key components of life. The pair espoused the tenant that with full commitment and a positive attitude, the sky’s the limit.
Now, at 73, and as a decorated member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, an active instructor, and holding a Coast Guard Captain’s License, Judy has started a new position flying Challenger Jet Aircraft for a new company.
In recognition of these truly accomplished leaders, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is honored to accept the establishment of this The Bernard P. Redlawsk and Judith Redlawsk Scholarship for Academic Excellence benefiting deserving LECOM students.