Mike Walganski, Bainbridge High Class of 1957, died this past week in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Mike was raised in Eagledale and later at Crystal Springs. He was an outstanding athlete and is still remembered as the star left-handed first baseman for the Bainbridge Spartans.

Following graduation, Mike went to work for Boeing and then joined the Air Force. He was trained to be a load-master and a manager for air cargo.

Mike was considered one of the best and moved up as he served the United States in Alaska, Hawaii, Wake Island, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Germany and New Zealand.

He was called to New Zealand to oversee the movement of cargo from Christchurch to Antarctica.

His regular missions to the American stations in Antarctica carried up to 96,000 pounds. Often the weather was so bad that the cargo containers had to be dropped as their plane flew over the base.

In June of 1983 Mike was tasked with delivering emergency supplies to our American team of scientists at the South Pole during terrible storms and weather. His successful work was acclaimed by numerous organizations and agencies.

Mike began as an airman and retired as a senior master sergeant with numerous awards. Twice he was called back by Boeing Aerospace to assist with changes, aircraft modifications and new designs.

Mike is survived by his wife Gael Walganski, 1 Westlake Drive, Halswell, Christchurch, New Zealand 3.

Mail can also be sent to Mike’s lifelong friend Ralph Munro, Triple Creek Farm, 5041 Houston Road, Olympia, WA 98502, [ralph@munro.com]. All correspondence will be be forwarded to the Walganski family.