Herb Hortman, 57, airplane pilot

Herb Hortman, 57, of Doylestown, an airplane pilot and president of Hortman Aviation Services Inc. in Northeast Philadelphia, died Sunday, May 17, of a heart ailment at Doylestown Hospital.

Mr. Hortman succeeded his father, Norman, in running one of the oldest flight schools in the region. The school has been in continuous existence for 35 years; it has been based at Northeast Philadelphia Airport since the 1980s.

Dozens of Mr. Hortman's students have gone on to professional aviation careers, mimicking their teacher, who was an international airline pilot.

Born in Trenton, Mr. Hortman began working in the aviation business as a teenager and went on to earn private, commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and airline transport licenses.

When an aircraft dealership in Bucks County closed in the early 1980s, Mr. Hortman bought the business and moved it to Northeast Philadelphia Airport. He also ran a charter air taxi service there.

"His true love was flying, but he also loved training pilots of the future," said his wife, Maggie. Of the hundreds of pilots he trained, many are now flight instructors, and corporate and airline pilots.

"Herb always put teaching first," said Mr. Hortman's friend John Morris. "At any time he would leave his desk to give a tip to a new student or to boost the confidence of a rookie instructor."

One of Mr. Hortman's students, Maggie Froman, became his wife. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Meghan; a son, Herbie Jr.; three brothers; a sister; and nieces and nephews.

Services were Friday, May 22.

Donations may be made to the Hortman Children's Education Fund, Citizens Bank, 559 N. Main St., Doylestown, Pa. 18901.