At the birthday party, Keolker and Dunbar offered congratulations to Scott on his flying career and talked about the historic importance of the airport. Scott attended the celebration with Jepson, a Mercer Island neighbor, who also designed the sculpture, raised money for the statue and directed the construction. The result is one of the finest tributes to our state’s early aviation roots that can be found.” “A campaign to raise the necessary funds began and Scott’s friends and family responded quickly and generously. #Jepson mail pilot install“When the concept to install a permanent monument at this historic airport to honor Clayton Scott and his fellow Pacific Northwest aviation pioneers was brought to the museum’s board of trustees, they wholeheartedly agreed with it,” said former astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, the museum’s president and CEO. The Museum of Flight joined Scott’s close friend Bill Jepson in spearheading the project and the museum foundation contributed funds. The monument was called “Pathfinder” in honor of Scott’s years of flying as a Boeing test pilot, but also for his early, pioneering cross-country flights at a time when navigation aids were primitive at best. The statue was the culmination of a year of planning, designing, funding, building and coordinating with Renton and airport officials. Renton Mayor Kathy Keolker declared July 15 as Clayton Scott Day, and then joined the spry, smiling aviator and a crowd of his admirers at the airport to unveil his brass statue, dubbed “Pathfinder,” at a special birthday barbeque in his honor. The monument recognizes his 79-year flying career, as well as his association with the airport since 1928. “Scotty” Scott turned 101 in July, the City of Renton, Wash., honored him with a special monument at Renton Municipal Airport. When famed Pacific Northwest aviation pioneer Clayton L. “Scotty” Scott with a special monument at Renton Municipal Airport. The City of Renton has honored 101-year- old aviation pioneer Clayton L.
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