Alexis Du Felix Pont Jr. ’29

Felix died Dec. 30, 1996.

His long aviation career started with his first airplane ride in 1918 and first solo flight in 1927. He graduated from the Air Corps Flying School in 1928 and became a Fokker test pilot in 1930, then a dispatcher for Ludding. He worked for the du Pont company (founded by his greatgrandfather) for five years and was briefly in the investment business. With his brother Richard he founded AllAmerican Airlines, which became Allegheny Airlines and eventually U.S. Air. He was v.p. of Piasecki Helicopter Co. and treasurer of Christiana Securities.

During WWII, he served in New Guinea and the Philippines, receiving five battle stars. He retired as lieutenant colonel. He continued to pilot airplanes until he was 88.

In the 1994 Forbes magazine listing of the richest Americans, Felix was #257. His family said that his greatest joy in life was being a trustee of St. Andrew's School, founded by his father. He was also on many charitable and civic boards.

Felix's first wife was Eleanor Hoyt. In 1974 he married Marka Truesdale; she died in 1993. He is survived by his children, Katharine Gahagan, Michael H., and Christopher T., and his stepdaughters, Louise Loeming and Priscilla Hanford. The class extends sincere sympathy to Felix's family.

The Class of 1929