Leticia Calderon

Ad admirer

I’m fairly new to HMC so I did not have the pleasure of meeting you. I was, however, amazed to read of your many accomplishments and the legacy you left behind. You paved the way for women like myself, the students at HMC, and the 7Cs. You make me proud to be a woman. May you rest in everlasting peace.

Josh Slater ’06

Student

I’ll never forget Iris. Though the Bates program had long ended by my time, she was there every step of the way through my aviation journey, from my first flight in 42G as a freshman, to my PPL checkride prep after college, and my most memorable flying experience of all with her, Mike Magras and several others on a California tour from POC all the way up to PML. What an adventure! I’ll always treasure the memories and a legacy she has instilled in me and so many others along the way. You will be missed, Iris.

Jon Jacobsen

Colleague

In fourth grade, my daughter became interested in Amelia Earhart. When I mentioned that Iris had known her, Reya immediately asked if she could interview Iris. They met and had an inspiring conversation—no surprise to anyone who knew Iris.

At the end of their chat, Iris turned to Reya and asked if she wanted to try flying. Reya’s face lit up with excitement. Within a week or two, I found myself in the back of Iris’s plane. We had spent a significant amount of time going through the pre-flight routine and safety checks, with Iris teaching Reya every step of the way. Once we were in the air, I assumed Iris would handle the flying and bring us back—how naive of me.

Once we were settled, Iris turned to Reya and said, “Okay, your turn.” And just like that, we were off. “Turn left,” she instructed, and the next thing I knew, Reya was at the controls, guiding the plane. Sitting in the back, I was in absolute awe—watching my daughter experience the thrill of flying and seeing Iris in her element, teaching and sharing her knowledge and passion. It was incredible.

This was just one small example of Iris’s remarkable generosity and willingness to share the joy of flight with others. I was fortunate to get to work with Iris over the years with the Aero Scholarship and other endeavors and will miss her dearly.

Madineh Sarvestani ’05

Iris made a huge impression on me, as a Freshman student trying to figure out my place in the world. She took me, and several other students, out on flights. She made flight, and other big feats, seem small and possible. I think about her often and I’m grateful I got to meet her. What a force.

Bruce Worster ’64

Iris’s passing is a watershed event in my estimation. She was an American treasure: Olympic athlete, pioneering aviator, patriot, parent, and teacher. Over the past 63 years, it has been my privilege to know her, learn from her, help her where I could, and to be counted as her friend. It was her passion to teach people to fly, and she excelled most profoundly in this, her chosen vocation.

I met Iris when the Bates Aeronautics program came to Harvey Mudd College in 1962. I managed to qualify for the program and Iris taught me to fly in 1962-64. Many years later, whenever I was flying, particularly solo, I would find myself listening to a voice in my head, reminding myself what I needed to do next, critiquing my execution, and evaluating the weather conditions ahead. It finally occurred to me that I was channeling Iris and she was with me whenever I flew.

In World War II, Iris flew for the Ferry Command, piloting some of America’s foremost fighter planes across the country, including the legendary P51. Around her 95th birthday, she had the opportunity to fly a tandem version of that aircraft. “I was able to manage it with no problem,” she said. “The controls were exactly the same as they were in 1944.” She then promptly put the hottest propeller aircraft ever built through an eight-point roll.

Iris was, of course, the last surviving member of the 1936 Olympic team and the American titleholder in the 200m breaststroke. Eight years ago, Susan and I celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary at the Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara, an elegant location which included an Olympic-sized beachside pool. Iris and Sandie were among the guests and our daughter Sara asked Iris if she had ever been to the location. “Oh yes”, Iris replied. “I defended my American title here in 1938!”