(c) Miami Herald Website 8/29/09
Wings Over Miami is saddened to announce the passing of another great lady. Frances Rohrer Sargent, one of our Directors Emeritus, passed away in late December. Fran was well known throughout the Aviation community and throughout South Florida for her aviation skills as well as her wonderful spirit.
Fran began flying in 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia, then became a Navy Instrument Ground Instructor. In 1943, she was recruited into the fourth class of the famous Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS) during WWII. She was one of the WASPs honored with a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of her war-time service.
She was a pacesetter in the South Florida aviation world as Miami-Dade Community College’s (Miami Dade College) first female aviation professor. There are pilots flying all over the world who encountered this amazing lady in the classroom and in the air!
Fran’s friends, students and those who wish to share memories are invited to a memorial service to be held February 8, 2014 at the museum. If you have photos to share of Fran, please contact the museum.
Miami