Lois M. (Dobbin) Auchterlonie served with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II and continued working in the aviation industry for the rest of her career.

Lois Maxine Dobbin was born on a farm east of Viola, Kansas on April 14, 1917 to Thomas Miller Dobbin and Roxie Alma (Porter) Dobbin. She grew up in Wichita, Kansas, graduating from East High School, and then attending Wichita State University. During her senior year she was president of the Delta Omega Sorority. While in college, she enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training program. After earning her bachelor's degree and obtaining her private pilot's license in 1941, she worked for The Boeing Company at their Stearman Plant in Wichita. There, she learned of the Women Airforce Service Pilot program. She applied to the program and was accepted in 1943. She trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas in class 43-8, completing the program six months later. From Texas she was transferred to Williams Field in Arizona where she flight tested North American AT-6s that had undergone mechanical work or engine changes. During her career as a WASP, she flew many aircraft, including the Stearman PT-17, Fairchild PT-19, Vultee BT-13, Cessna UC-78, Curtiss AT-9 and Beech AT-11.

After the WASP program was deactivated in 1944, Auchterlonie continue to work in the aviation industry. She taught at flight schools, went to California to work North American Aviation writing pilot's manuals for the AJ-1 Savage, and also worked as a secretary for an aircraft parts and service company based in Wichita. Eventually she became a technical editor and proposal coordinator for the Raytheon Company in Massachusetts, where she worked for 30 years.

In addition to her professional work in aviation, Auchterlonie enjoyed flying her own Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee. She was active with the Ninety Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots. She helped manage the All-Women New England Air Race for several years and won the race in 1972. She also co-piloted in the Powder Puff Derby from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1961. In 1981, the Women Military Aviators elected her as a charter member. She helped write their by-laws and through the group networked with the female members of various U.S. military flying branches. She also attended many WASP reunion events over the years. In 2010, the U.S. Congress awarded Auchterlonie and other WASPs the Congressional Gold Medal for their service as pilots during World War II. Auchterlonie attended the related events in Washington, D.C.

Auchterlonie met her husband, Charles Auchterlonie (1918-1996), in college. They married on July 27, 1961 and lived in Acton, Massachusetts until he retired. In the 1980s, they moved to Anacortes, Washington. After her husband died, Auchterlonie enjoyed fostering cats and volunteering with her church's thrift shop and with other women's group. She was active in the local community club and played golf. She died March 24, 2013 in Snohomish, Washington and is buried in Everett, Washington.

Biographical note derived from collection information, obituary and records on Ancestry.com.