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On Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, at 12:10 a.m. the PBY 'Guba' Flying Boat departed for its final flight.
Retractable wing tip stabilizer floats retracted, climb power set, the GUBA turned west for its final flight.

On board:
Pilot Stephen John Barinka
(1913-2008)
Tower...."Blue skies, good tailwinds, and God speed, my friend"

Ground contacts
Beloved children: Stephen J. Barinka, Jr., (companion, Juanita Sorter) and Margaret Barinka (Mark) Wheeler
Grandchildren: Stephani Barinka (Bill) Dobie, Samantha Barinka (Joe) Valla

Great Grandchildren: Mikael McKinley, Spencer McKinley, Alexander Blitz,
Wife: Melba Joan Barinka
Step Children: John (Penny) Kirk, Dianne (Neil) Macaskill
Step Grandchildren: Amanda Kirk, Sandra Kirk, Rylee Kirk, Melissa Macaskill, Laura Macaskill.

In 1938, in the early days of aviation, a handsome young man 25 years of age, Stephen J. Barinka, joined the crew of a worldwide expedition, commonly known as the Archbold Biological Exploration Expedition, as Co-Pilot/Flight Mechanic.  This expedition was originally intended to travel to and explore the interiors of New Guinea for the American Museum of Natural History, New York.  When various governments requested assistance, the aircraft and crew eventually continued their flight to complete a full circumnavigation of the globe at the equator, commonly believed to be the first in history.

This man, who had immigrated to the shores of the United States as an infant, would endure many hardships, accomplish many feats and experience innumerable adventures throughout his life, but this 1938 adventure would remain forever in his memory as the Greatest Adventure of his lifetime.  With the passing of Stephen J. Barinka, the last known survivor of this expedition has now taken his final flight.

“I have gone where I was meant to go, I have seen what I was meant to see, and I depart with no regrets.”
Stephen John Barinka

 

A memorial flight will be held at a later date.  Captain Stephen J Barinka, Jr. (retired) will be at the controls, departing from Lindbergh Field, banking over Point Loma, and flying low over the California coastline so loved by our father, Stephen J. Barinka.

A man who walked with dignity, received respect, loved, and was loved, always.

Stephen John Barinka
July 13, 1913 Nyrcra, Hungary
March 23, 2008 Bradenton, Florida, USA

Steve Barinka, Sr. died Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, in Bradenton, Fla. Click here for his obituary published in the San Luis Obispo Tribune on 3/27/2008.



Stephen Barinka, Jr. is a retired pilot for Western and Delta Airlines. He is a current CFI, MEL, SEL and SES.