Patricia Luebke—whose aviation marketing and writing career spanned more than five decades with organizations including Women In Aviation (WAI), Aircraft Electronics Association, and Flying Magazine—died on November 22 following a brief illness. Over the past 20 years, Luebke has been a freelance writer, editor, and marketing consultant for a number of publications and organizations such as Avionics News, Sporty’s, AOPA, Lightspeed Aviation, and Aspen Avionics, among others. At WAI she contributed to Aviation for Women and Aviation for Girls magazines and is credited for being a creative force behind many programs and events including Take Your Daughter to Conference, which became Girls in Aviation Day, and the Honor The WASP event on Memorial Day weekend.

She joined Flying in 1974 as an advertising assistant and her first general aviation airplane ride involved a trip to the former Reading Air Show. Luebke rose up to become vice president for the Flying publishing company before embarking on her own career as a freelance writer and consultant in 2002.

WAI highlighted her ability to lead a team “with her quick wit and creative inspiration” and said Luebke was particularly proud of her work to develop future leaders in aviation and to encourage women to be confident in their fields.

“The WAI family and the aviation industry have lost a trailblazing aviation journalist. She will be sorely missed as a longtime eloquent communicator,” said Kelly Murphy, WAI director of communications. “Pat had a unique gift to craft an insightful piece that touched countless readers with her candid and frank advice on living a life of purpose. She was an especially dedicated friend, with words of encouragement, kindness, clever humor, and above all else, truth.”

Others paid tribute to Luebke. Flying called her “a well-regarded and -loved aviation media professional” and encouraged others: “To continue her legacy, reach out to a young pilot—or hope-to-be—and mentor that person into the future, as she did over and over.”

“We are saddened with the passing of our friend and colleague, Pat Luebke,” added AEA, noting her long-time contributions for Avionics News and her assistance as pressroom coordinator at the AEA International Convention & Trade Show.

In 2004, then-FAA administrator Marion Blakey presented the National Association of Flight Instructors Jack J. Eggspuehler Service Award to Luebke for her significant contribution to aviation education.