Coffey County Historical Society & Museum

Olive Ann Beech

On September 25, 1904, Olive Ann Mellor was born in Waverly, Kansas. She then moved to Wichita with her family at the age of 13. In February of 1930, she married Walter Beech, and a year later the two founded Beech Aircraft Corporation. Following Walter’s death in 1950, Olive Ann was elected president and chairman of the board of Beech Aircraft Corp. In 1968, she gave up her president status, but remained chairman and chief executive officer. Both she and her husband Walter were inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, Walter in 1977 as she in 1981. They are only one of two couples in aviation history to be given this honor. Olive Ann received many other awards from the aviation industry, including the prestigious Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy in 1980 and was known as the “First Lady of General Aviation”. Olive Ann passed away at her home in Wichita on July 6, 1993.

Pictured are a wooden purse, airplane pins and medal, which belonged to the late Olive Ann Beech. They were donated by Mary Lynn Oliver.

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Last modified: April 08, 2007