WWII pilot leaves legacy of family, hard work
Frank Ekas Sr. was many things to those who knew him: grandfather, father, pilot, a hard worker, a business owner and a friend.
One title he carried, but didn’t speak of often, was that of World War II veteran.
In honor of Memorial Day, Frank Sr’s family is excited to remember his military experience at a recognition service at the Sower’s Chapel in Sarver on Sunday morning.
Frank Sr. died in August 2021, leaving behind a legacy through his family and his business, the Saxon Golf Course, 839 Ekastown Rd.
Tancie Plutyk, Frank Sr.’s granddaughter, said her grandfather’s U.S. Army Air Force uniform and dozens of pictures will be on display during the ceremony.
“This is our first year without him,” she said. “It’s very nice they chose him.”
Frank Sr. grew up in West Deer, Allegheny County. He had an interest in planes from a young age, spending his time at a local airport.
His grandson, Nathan Olczak, said he estimates Frank Sr. flew his first plane as a teenager.
“He was drafted (in WWII) at 19, so I’d guess he was 16 when he first flew,” he said.
His work flying planes as a crop duster got him moved from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Army Air Force after being drafted. In the Southern England 453rd Bombardment Group, he piloted more than 30 missions against the Germans in a B-24 Liberator.
“He flew a giant bomber,” Nathan said. “He told me he was in the service for a week, and they asked if he could fly a plane. He said ‘yep’ and next thing he’s in training.”
“They weren’t very proud of what they had to do over there,” Plutyk said. “He told us about his first drink in England, but he was pretty quiet about (the war). It was just his job.”
In August 2018, Frank Sr. got to see a B-24 with his name on it at the Wings of Freedom Tour at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport. Vintage war planes were on display for veterans to observe and share with their families.
“He wasn’t emotional about seeing the plane,” Plutyk said of her grandfather at the event. “He was like, ‘this is it.’ He wasn’t bragging about it.”
Upon returning home from Europe, Frank Sr. became a machinist and private pilot for Oberg Industries in Freeport. He even became a flight instructor after receiving his license at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Shirley Ekas, Frank Sr.’s daughter-in-law, said the young pilot would take his wife, Frances Jean, on flights with him.
“When he flew for Oberg, one time he turned around in the cockpit and couldn’t see her,” she said. “He thought she flew out of the plane. It was an open cock pit.”
It was flying for Oberg that led Frank Sr. to his next big adventure.
“This is a good story: when he was a private pilot, he flew over the property in Sarver and said, ‘this would make a good golf course.’ He and his buddy bought it and turned it into that,” Shirley said.
Bought in 1958, the course opened in 1960, and the 18-hole Saxon Golf Course is family owned and operated to this day.
The original down purchase was $25, Shirley said.
The same year Saxon Golf Course opened, Frank Ekas Jr. was born. Frank Jr., who died in 2020, and his father left a legacy of working side by side on the greens.
Despite his change in vocation, Nathan said his grandfather’s time in the war solidified his love of planes.
“He’d sit, drink coffee and watch the planes go in and out with his friends,” he said. “He never stopped flying.”
Frank Sr. is survived by his daughter-in-law Shirley, grandchildren Plutyk, Nathan and Andy Olczak and Krystle Ekas, as well as his 82-year-old brother, Rich Ekas.
Plutyk said what Frank Sr. left behind was a legacy of hard work and gratitude.
“He always said, you don’t need an ‘atta boy.’ You did your job,” she said. “He said everything he had was from good people, good luck and hard work. Later in life, he was very loving. He was my best friend.”
Frank Ekas Sr. will be recognized at The Sower’s Chapel, 100 Iron Bridge Rd., Sarver, Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Sunday.
