First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) offers more than 95 scholarships to local students each year, with offerings for area seniors and non-traditional students. Most scholarships are based on the students’ school district, location of higher education institution and/or area of study. One scholarship was created for students who are looking to perhaps go a little higher than the rest and take flight in the aviation industry.
Commander Kenneth W. Johnson was born and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Ken spent 24 years as a military pilot, serving in the U.S. Navy. He flew during both the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Ken’s duty stations included the Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 33, the USS WASP CVS-18 searching for submarines in Quonset Point, RI, and training in Squadron 31 NAS in Corpus Christi, TX. He attended Naval War College in Newport, RI and Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.
While studying at the University of Rhode Island in 1970, Ken met Marcia, a local gal from East Providence, Rhode Island who was studying to become a teacher. They married soon after in 1972, and then spent three years living in Puerto Rico. It was in Puerto Rico, at a Navy Flying Club, where Ken taught Marcia to fly.
After he retired from the Navy in August of 1975, Ken and Marcia returned to Rhode Island. Ken earned his graduate degree and they continued to follow their passion for flying. In 1976, the Johnsons returned and settled in the Williamsport area. Ken then worked at AVCO, now Textron/Lycoming Engines. They both continued to fly out of Williamsport Region Airport (IPT) with a local flying club that was private to AVCO employees and their dependents.
Marcia wanted to learn to fly because she wanted to vacation on the island of St. Thomas and she specifically “didn’t want to get sick on the boat!” Marcia has flown solo to Nova Scotia, St. Louis and up to her home state of Rhode Island several times. Together the couple has over 100 years of flying combined. “We’ve met so many nice people in the aviation world,” says Marcia, “Everyone has great stories too!”
In 1978, Marcia joined the Ninety-Nines, Inc., an international organization of women pilots, where she is now a life member. Within the Ninety-Nines, Marcia worked on big projects such as the All-Women’s Cross Country Air Race Classic – a 2700 miles (coast-to-coast) four-day race of 55 female piloted airplanes! Even Ken helped during the events by volunteering for timing and ground stops.
At the end of 2008, Ken and Marcia decided to share their love of aviation by establishing a scholarship with FCFP. Their scholarship is for a graduate of a private or public high school or an accredited home school or cyber school program who resides in Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Tioga, Snyder, Sullivan, or Union County. Preference is given to students pursuing a career in aviation, including but not limited to technical certification as an aircraft & power plant mechanic (A&P), an avionics technician, pilot training leading to advanced certifications, air traffic controller or aeronautical engineer.
When asked why they would encourage a young person to pursue the world of aviation, the couple said, “that besides the opportunities of amazing jobs in aviation, aerospace technology and much more, there are so many benefits to knowing how to fly and being a part of the aviation community. Not only do you make lifelong friends by sharing a lifestyle, but you can also bypass commercial airlines and the hassle of large airports, travel constantly and meet all kinds of interesting people in different walks of life and it’s never an inconvenience to meet up.”
The Johnsons once met Prince — now King Charles, during their time in Puerto Rico and recall a day they had cocktails with Bob Dole and dinner with John Glenn. They traveled often to visit friends on St. Simons Island, Georgia, or Marcia’s family in Bradenton and Venice, Florida.
From his life of service, Ken received several awards and medals, including an Air Medal with 3 stars, the Navy Good Conduct Medal with star, the National Defense Service Medal with star, a Vietnam Service Medal with star, and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 60. Outside of his service, Ken even was awarded the Wright Brothers Aviation Safety Award for flying fifty years with no accidents.
These days, Ken and Marcia haven’t flown since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Ken is now 93 and Marcia is a busy, devoted caregiver to her loving husband. It’s an exciting life the two have shared with many memories most wouldn’t dream of. They often say to each other “We should be flying off some place…” on the nice, sunny days here in Lycoming County, but the Johnson’s have decided to pass on their legendary lifestyle through the gift of philanthropy to help a local student start their own path in the aviation industry.
If you know of a student who has decided to join the aviation industry after graduation that could benefit from the Kenneth & Marcia Johnson Scholarship—or any of the other scholarships managed by FCFP—they can apply today!