Godfrey A. Rockefeller
Encyclopedia
Godfrey Anderson Rockefeller, Sr. (1924 – 22 January 2010) was the eldest son of Godfrey Stillman Rockefeller
and Helen Rockefeller née Gratz.
and grew up to attend Yale University
, at the same time as family friend George H. W. Bush
, this after first attending Phillips Academy Andover. Joining the United States Marine Corp, he served in both World War II
and the Korean War
, achieving the rank of Major Aviator Pilot.
Godfrey then spent twenty five years in the commercial helicopter industry, working for Bell Helicopters and being hired as Chief Pilot, with Peter Wright, Sr. recalling him once landing a 32 foot Bell 47
on a 40 foot wide tennis court
"because he did not want to ruin the lawn!" He was President and Chairman of the Helicopter Association of America, now known as the Helicopter Association International
, in 1968, and also belonged to the American Helicopter Society
, being a member since 1952 and belonging to its Gold Circle Club.
He is best known, however, for his environmental interests and role in the World Wildlife Fund. Rockefeller "played an important role in the founding and creation" of the organization, which included "hiring the first staff and chief scientist", and later served as its Executive Director from 1972 to 1978. From 1977 to 2006 he served on the Board of Directors and the National Council of the WWF.
From 1981 to 1990 he was Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
, and after that Chairman Emeritus. Rockefeller owned a home on Gibson Island in Maryland
and was keenly interested in the preservation of the failing Chesapeake Bay
. Following his unexpected death on January 22, 2010 at the St. Andrew's Club in Delray Beach, Florida
, where he also owned a home, the Gibson Island community honoured him by flying their flag at half-mast.
Godfrey Stillman Rockefeller
Godfrey Stillman Rockefeller son of William Goodsell Rockefeller served as a second lieutenant in World War One, was a member of the Skull and Bones society graduating from Yale University in 1921, and served as a lieutenant colonel during World War Two...
and Helen Rockefeller née Gratz.
Life
Like his father Godfrey Stillman, Godfrey Anderson Rockefeller was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and grew up to attend Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, at the same time as family friend George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
, this after first attending Phillips Academy Andover. Joining the United States Marine Corp, he served in both World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, achieving the rank of Major Aviator Pilot.
Godfrey then spent twenty five years in the commercial helicopter industry, working for Bell Helicopters and being hired as Chief Pilot, with Peter Wright, Sr. recalling him once landing a 32 foot Bell 47
Bell 47
The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
on a 40 foot wide tennis court
Tennis court
A tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles.-Dimensions:...
"because he did not want to ruin the lawn!" He was President and Chairman of the Helicopter Association of America, now known as the Helicopter Association International
Helicopter Association International
The Helicopter Association International is a not-for-profit professional trade association of 2,500-plus member organizations in more than 68 nations....
, in 1968, and also belonged to the American Helicopter Society
American Helicopter Society
The American Helicopter Society, International is a professional society in the area of vertical flight. It was formed in 1944. It publishes an official magazine and a technical journal ...
, being a member since 1952 and belonging to its Gold Circle Club.
He is best known, however, for his environmental interests and role in the World Wildlife Fund. Rockefeller "played an important role in the founding and creation" of the organization, which included "hiring the first staff and chief scientist", and later served as its Executive Director from 1972 to 1978. From 1977 to 2006 he served on the Board of Directors and the National Council of the WWF.
From 1981 to 1990 he was Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. It was founded in 1967 and has headquarters offices in Annapolis, Maryland...
, and after that Chairman Emeritus. Rockefeller owned a home on Gibson Island in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and was keenly interested in the preservation of the failing Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
. Following his unexpected death on January 22, 2010 at the St. Andrew's Club in Delray Beach, Florida
Delray Beach, Florida
Delray Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 60,020. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S...
, where he also owned a home, the Gibson Island community honoured him by flying their flag at half-mast.