Lewes couple bestows donation to assist future pilots

A Lewes couple has bestowed the largest cash donation to the Delaware State University aviation program in its 36-year history.

Bob and Karen Fischer said they had no idea at the time that their $100,000 gift was the largest the program had received.

A commercial pilot for more than 40 years, Bob flew for now-defunct Pan Am Airlines as well as United Airlines. Karen is a retired employee benefits manager for Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.

The Fischers were introduced to the aviation program and retired Lt. Col. Michael Hales, its director, by Hans Riegle, a university alumnus, former aviation program flight instructor, and current United Airlines pilot.

For many years, Bob has been actively involved through his professional union in providing volunteer outreach to colleges and universities with aviation and aeronautics programs.

“I’m a Delawarean, and Delaware State University has a tremendous program,” Bob said. “We were in the position to be able to do it, and figured if we wanted to support a program, it should be in Delaware.”

Delaware State University officials say the money, which was donated for the general overall support of the program’s needs, will include assisting initial certified flight instructor students with their check ride fees, installing new cubicles at the program’s section at Delaware Airpark, and painting inside the terminal building where the university does maintenance on planes.

For details on Delaware State University’s aviation program, go to business.desu.edu/departments/aviation.