March 12, 1931 - January 3, 2019
To one of the 'Greatest Leaders', I was so fortunate & blessed to be a part of Southwest Airlines for half of my life. Many of us, as myself would NOT be where we are today without the LUV gifted to us by Herb's touch. YOU are so missed. You'll always be my greatest memory of extraordinary experiences in such a very heartfelt culture. You were a brilliant & dedicated pioneer in aviation leadership & business strategy. YOU were the BEST! Godspeed my friend. LUV you.
Thank you Herb for founded Southwest Airlines. I am a southwest rapid rewards member/frequent flyer and worked for usps(nov 1965- sept 2017) at Lindbergh field, (SAN) from 1979-2007 and Southwest hauled mail for many years. I remember those $19 flights SAN-LAS. we called him 'Uncle Herbie' for when he bought an airline and gained SLC and headlines were 'Uncle Herbie and Aunt Bea got married' referring to the merger of the two airlines. enjoyed his book 'nuts' too. He made air travel fun with puggy plane stuffed toy and peanuts and brightly colored planes for different states etc. . I have traveled a lot to Australia and Fiji via SFO and would go SAN-SFO on SWA to catch QANTAS and around the western states on SWA. Herbie was one in a million and will be truly missed by family, friends employees and us passengers. I still have a red heart SWA key chain that is over 20 years old.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Herb Kelleher on January 3rd.
During the 80's and 90's I was a Southwest Airlines frequent flyer; one of their smaller frequent flyers. My first flight on S.W. Airlines was from Dallas to San Antonio in early 1972. I could fly from Dallas to San Antonio and stay in a La Quinta Inn for just a few dollars. I have good memories of the 70's.
Through the years I met Herb (that is what he told me to call him) several times. I sat beside this charismatic man twice on S.W. Airlines flights. He kept me and several of those around us entertained and laughing from take-off to landing.
I especially have fond memories of a San Antonio Chamber of Commerce mixer, I and my wife attended on May 23, 1988 that was held at the S.A. Airport in an airport hangar. The mixer was sponsored by S.W. Airlines and SeaWorld. A new 737 had just arrived from Boeing painted like the SeaWorld star attraction, Shamu. Herb recognized me and called me by my first name. We had last met on a S.W. Airlines flight a couple of weeks earlier. I was totally amazed he remembered my name. What a fantastic memory! I introduced him to my wife and without hesitation he gave her a very respectful warm hug and kiss. For about four or five minutes, I was shut out of the conversation between Herb and my personable wife.
I admired Herb's superb business skills and his extraordinary employee motivational abilities which I tried to emulate in our business. His Golden Rule philosophy is exactly what my parents taught me early in life. I especially embraced his belief that A Happy Employee makes for A Happy Customer and that translates into a successful business.
Heaven has just become a more friendlier and fun destination. May God bless Herb, his family and co-workers.
I am honored to have met such a great and decent human being during my lifetime.
Ronnie Lunsford
A loyal Southwest Airline customer
January 23, 2019
Herb was the very best CEO ever. His genuine love for the SWA Family is a huge part of his legacy that lives on in each of us. He taught us that everyone and every job is important, that titles don't define the person, and that hard work with a light heart can be fun and very rewarding. Herb was larger than life but had a humble heart. I will never, ever forget the love and acceptance he showed me personally. Thank you, Herb from the bottom of my heart!
As a passenger, I have always appreciated SWA policies on baggage and flight changes, but most of all I always enjoy the employees at every level who all seem to love their jobs and make the passengers feel special. As a retired executive, I feel that happy employees start at the top so it is no surprise to read all the glowing remarks from across the globe for a truly remarkable individual whose work ethic and cheerfulness helped form the best airline that ever existed! I fly frequently and stopped shopping around a long time ago because SWA is truly the best and usually beats the competition in price, but if not then the extra I pay is well worth knowing I will always enjoy my travel. I know that Herb's passing has affected too many to count and he will be dearly missed, but Wow! what a legacy he has left in this World!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
