Francis A. Riordan: An early Nevada aviator

In honor of the Nevada Day theme, "100 Years in Aviation," Carson City resident Gertrude Gottschalk shared pictures of her brother Francis A. Riordan with the Nevada Appeal.

Riordan was born in Carson City in 1898, grew up in White Pine County and discovered a love for flying while attending college at Santa Clara University in California. Riordan then enlisted in the Army during World War I where he continued flying lessons.

Upon his discharge from active duty, Riordan moved back to Eastern Nevada and bought his plane, an Alexandria Eagle Rock he dubbed the Legionnaire. He'd hoped to start a mail route, but the plans never materialized.

Unfortunately, said Gottschalk, the plane eventually was stolen and "wrecked in an adjoining state."

Riordan went on to a rewarding career working for the Bureau of Land Management, said his sister. He died in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1977 at age 79.