Biographical Note

Robert W. Radoll (1899/1900-1933) was an early aviator and air mail pilot, circa 1920s.

Robert W. Radoll was born in Wisconsin in 1899 or 1900 (sources vary). Details of his life are sparse, but at age 18, Radoll worked a mechanic in a garage. During World War I, he served with the United States Marines. Radoll's flight experience began after his military service. He gained flight experience at Checkerboard Field in Illinois with Roscoe Turner's Flying Circus. In 1926, Radoll joined Northwest Airways as a pilot. He remained there until 1928 when he began flying air mail for National Air Transport (NAT), later known as United Airlines (UAL). He remained with UAL until his death. On November 23, 1933, Radoll was killed, along with the co-pilot and a stewardess, when the United Airlines aircraft he was flying crashed. No passengers were on board.

In May 1927, Radoll married Helen Lois Lingenfelter, who was the first bride to have a cross-country airplane honeymoon. The couple had two children; a daughter and a son. No further information is known.

Occupations

• Air pilots

Places

• Wisconsin (Place of Birth)

Topics

• Air mail pioneers
• Air mail service