Godfrey A. Rockefeller

Godfrey Anderson Rockefeller, Sr. (May 22, 1924 – January 22, 2010) was an American aviator. He was the eldest son of Godfrey Stillman Rockefeller (1899–1983) and Helen Gratz. He is best known for his environmental interests and role in the World Wildlife Fund. Early life Godfrey Anderson Rockefeller was born on May 22, 1924, in New York City to Godfrey Stillman Rockefeller (1899–1983) and Helen Gratz. He attended Phillips Academy Andover and later Yale University, at the same time as family friend George H. W. Bush. Career He joined the United States Marine Corps and served in both World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank of Major Aviator Pilot. Godfrey spent 25 years in the commercial helicopter industry, working for Bell Helicopters as Chief Pilot; Peter Wright, Sr. recalled that he once landed a Bell 47 on a wide tennis court "because he did not want to ruin the lawn!" He was president and chairman of the Helicopter Association of America, now known as the Helicopter Association International, in 1968, and also belonged to the American Helicopter Society, being a member since 1952 and belonging to its Gold Circle Club.