COVER FEATURE
Triumph in the Skies
W
hile most people put skydiving on their bucket list and never take the literal leap, Sun City's Al Blaschke has done it three times . . . all since turning 100 years old. Al’s story has been told and seen many times over, but coverage of his inspiring life has become a story in itself. Born January 4, 1917, his narrative is rich with historical resilience: surviving the Spanish flu, enduring the Great Governor Abbott and Al Blaschke share a celebratory moment after landing.
by Ann Marie Kennon
AT ALMOST 107, AL BLASCHKE BREAKS WORLD SKYDIVING RECORD FOR THE SECOND TIME
Depression, and providing essential services during World War II by building airplane parts for Pratt & Whitney. Before moving to Sun City, he was an avid skier and even more impressive, until the onset of the pandemic, was still playing golf every Friday. Fortunately for us, Al was also vigilant in avoiding COVID so he could look forward to celebrating his 107th birthday January 4, 2024.
TAKING THE LEAP Al's time as a media darling began when fellow Sun City resident Betty Schleder (above at right) asked him, on his 97th birthday, if he would like to jump out of a plane. He replied that it was a good idea but said, “No thank you, I’ll wait until I’m 100.” His prescience prompted a close friend to comment, “While most people blessed enough to make it to 97 might reflect on accomplishments, Al was still making long range plans.” True to his word, on January 4, 2017, Al did a tandem jump from 10,000 feet to closely tie the world's record for the oldest person to jump out of a plane.
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