"Capt. Lodi"
Marius Lodeesen was born on April 27, 1904 in the Netherlands. As a young man he immigrated to the US passing through Ellis Island. He followed his dream of flying and enrolled in the University of Michigan's Aeronautical School. Three years later, he joined Pan American World Airways as a Junior Flight Officer. He got his dream job alright: October 5,1935 he was the junior pilot on the Martin M-130 flying boat "China Clipper" test and survey flight from California to Guam. The rest, as they say, is history.
Captain Marius "Lodi" Lodeesen enjoyed a long and successful career at Pan Am from flying boats to the jet age. Capt. Lodi retired from Pan Am in 1964, the same year his colleague and friend, Charlie Blair started Antilles Air Boats. He returned to his earlier days of flying seaplanes and helping Blair with his new venture in the U.S. Virgin Islands as Vice President of AAB.
Marius Lodeesen passed away in 1984.
December 1, 1935
.png)
Sister Ships in the Air Ocean
Clipper, Vol.9. No.7 July 1961
The International Order of Characters (IOC) is an organization dedicated to improving the fields of Aviation and Aerospace.
Captain Marius Lodeesen was the recipient of the IOC Pilot of the Year award for 1964
.png)
The Rotarian Magazine - April 1964
.png)
All the Way to Guam
.png)
Captain Lodi Speaking
Say Goodbye to an Era
Marius writes of his many years piloting the incredible airplanes from days gone by.
Marius flew with Fred Noonan at Pan Am until Fred was released from the airline. He then joined up with Amelia Earhart.