Elmer G. Koldoff, Jr. Born July 29, 1937 in Chicago, IL - Died August 14th, 2020 in Peachtree City, Georgia. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife of almost 61 years Lois P. Koldoff whom passed away only a week ago on August 7, 2020 and by his parents Elmer G. Koldoff, Sr. and Mildred Koldoff (Zavral). He is survived by his children Jeff (Debbie), Larry (Heather) and Kristina Christy (George); Grandchildren Brian, Melissa Baraty (Kaelan), Simon, Sebastian, George Christy and Bernice Christy; Great-grandchild Everett Baraty and Brother Kenneth (Carole).
Elmer graduated from Lindbloom High School (Chicago) and Aeronautical University (Chicago) with an A & P License (Aircraft Maintenance). After marrying Lois, they raised their children in Hoffman Estates, Villa Park and Lisle Illinois, before moving to Peachtree City Georgia in 1989 for his work with United Air Lines. Elmer was also in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves for several years when first raising a family.
He worked for more than 43 years with United Air Lines, starting at Midway Airport with Capitol Air Lines which merged with United. He then moved to O’Hare Airport when maintenance operations were moved there around 1960, and had some brief periods, commuting to Detroit and San Francisco over the years, before moving to Atlanta as Maintenance Forman here and over several other southeast cites. Over the years with UAL, Elmer progressed through the ranks of line mechanic, aircraft inspector, maintenance planner, maintenance foreman, and into management positions as operations manager and station maintenance controller.
One of his big career enjoyments was working at O’Hare his last several years there, as a liaison with the City of Chicago, back when he was known as the Snowman, coordinating weather events and snow removal with city crews. For many years, Elmer was also a partner in the family business, Verlo Mattress Peachtree City, until fully retiring.
Elmer was actively involved in the Masonic Lodge, had been a Master Mason for 56 Years was a 32nd Degree Mason. Elmer was a Past Master of Palatine Lodge #314 (Palatine, IL) and Past Master of Arboretum Lodge ##1175 (Lisle, IL. which Merged with Euclid Lodge # 65 Naperville, IL). Elmer was also a Shriner, member of the Medina Shriners Club, Chicago as well.
In addition to travel around the country with Lois, often with their children and later in life grand-children as well, Elmer enjoyed Long Lake in Sarona, WI. (Northwest Wisconsin). Elmer and Lois had purchased lakefront property and built a house on it and had twenty years of memories with their kids, boating, fishing and swimming – he loved that lake home and all the activities with family and friends that came with it.
In retirement, for many years Elmer became involved with the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, at Falcon Field - Peachtree City; the “wing” is a group of volunteers that restores and maintains old military aircraft. “Colonel” Koldoff, served as Maintenance Officer for all of the Dixie Wing aircraft and ground equipment for several years. In 2014, Elmer was proud to have been awarded the FAA’s Charles E. Taylor, Master Mechanic Award, named in honor of the first aircraft mechanic. To be eligible for this award, a recipient must have served at least 50 years as an aviation mechanic and also have been an FAA-certified mechanic for a minimum of 30 years. There is a plaque in United’s Terminal 1 at O’Hare with Elmer’s name on it, honoring him for this achievement. Elmer enjoyed the time he spent with members of the Dixie Wing almost as much as time spent with his children and grandchildren. At a later date, a memorial service will be held at the Dixie Wing in Elmer’s honor.
His three children were at his side when he passed, they along with his grandchildren will miss him very much.
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