Carson man celebrates 90th birthday

Alfred E. Sheehan of Carson City celebrated his 90th birthday May 18.

Sheehan grew up on his family’s farm in Oregon. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and became an instructional pilot. During World War II, he ferried aircraft and trained other recruits to fly B-24 bomber aircrafts.

Following the war, Sheehan continued training in the aeronautical field and became a flight engineer for Pan American airlines. His position allowed him to meet politicians and celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers, Shirley MacLaine, John Wayne, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. He served as flight engineer on the flight that first brought the Beatles to America on Feb. 7, 1964.

Sheehan and his first wife, Kathleen, had two children, Larry and Terry. He later adopted a third child, Linda. Attracted to Nevada by the Reno Air Races, Sheehan and his current wife Susan moved to Reno in 1973 and later relocated to Carson City.

David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort and Spa in Genoa hosted the birthday celebration. Sheehan’s friends, neighbors and family members attended.