30 March 1941 – 22 August 2026
Gracious on Ground and in Air
Brad Pass was adept on the ground and in the air. His eyes and smile set a cordial atmosphere here in Phillips Community or 30,000 feet above.
Brad’s soft words and demeanor meant people were important in seeing and hearing everyone, even amidst disagreements. His community advocacy helped others focus on the common good. There was always a smile under that mustache.
His skill with tools built furniture, a potter’s wheel and ceramics, an exceptional tree house (for sons Gabriel and Daniel; foster boys Becelone and Leroy; and grandchildren), remodeled houses into their their home in Phillips fifty years ago and several houses to create affordable rentals; skills he also taught to others.
Brad piloted Northwest airplanes for 35 years, starting each flight saying “Welcome aboard, this is your captain….” Brad started scores of community gatherings saying or signaling to Carol, when she was presiding, “Welcome, let’s start.”
Brad was on the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute Board helping to repurpose the “crescent” shaped Sears warehouse into an Urban Farm diplomatically over formidable obstacles by outside forces.
He, Carol, and others raised funds, led designing and building the East Phillips Cultural and Community Center, the Phillips Aquatics Center and numerous housing initiatives.
They fought for environmental justice and worked with neighbors to stop tree burning proposal, arsenic pollution and Hiawatha Public Works expansion. Brad helped organize and manage Clean Sweep in East Phillips and the Community Garden at 2428 17th Ave. for many years.
Brad served on the Mpls. Parks Capital Long Range Improvement Committee, the Green Institute Board and East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center management team. He always brought coffee and donuts.
He enjoyed traveling the world in small and huge aircraft and seemed as happy piloting a small tractor snow sweeper on local sidewalks. He could soar in the clouds and still remain grounded. Brad was truly a renaissance man for all seasons.
His parents were Melvin and Dorothy (Kolbert) Pass; he graduated from Murray High School, St. Paul; attended U of MN; became a pilot in 1966.
Brad expressed gratitude, kindness and respect for caretakers as he was healing from cancer. The day before his death, Brad told his nurse, “I’m sorry that my departure will prevent me from being here.”
Carol Armstrong Pass died fifteen months before Brad. His brother Roger (Grace) Pass; children: Gabriel (Amy) Pass and Daniel (Laurel) Pass; and grandchildren: Francisca, Aurora, Rosslyn, Ailsa (Autumn), and Moira (Jay) live on in Brad’s legacy.
After a private memorial, interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Mound, MN. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute or the Commemorative Air Force. Cards to family may be sent to 5139 So. 34th Ave #17097, Minneapolis, MN 55417
