Per Helmer Landeck of Artesia, New Mexico, passed away March 6, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. He was 80 years old.
Per was born January 22, 1945, in Ludvika, Sweden, to Olof and Inga (Nygren) Landeck. He was a young boy when he came to the United States as an immigrant with his family. He returned to Sweden at the age of 10, where he lived with his grandparents to reacquaint himself with the Swedish language, culture and traditions. During his years in Sweden, he attended Sigtuna School and was a competitive swimmer. He returned to the United States in 1958, living in California with his family. He graduated from high school in California in 1963.
Just after high school, Per trained and worked as a paramedic for a couple of years before attending California Polytechnic State University. In October 1967, before he could finish his studies, Per decided to enlist in the United States Navy. He served at bases in California, working his way up to Quartermaster Third Class. His last duty was served on the USS Florikan. He was honorably discharged in November 1971. Years later, Per was able to locate and purchase the ships wheel of the USS Florikan, behind which he spent many hours. He had it proudly displayed in his home.
Pers truest passion was in aviation and his desire to become a commercial airline pilot. He took his first flight lesson on February 11, 1965, in Walnut Creek, CA, where his family lived. His early flight certifications were completed there. After his military service, he decided to continue his flight training at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, OK. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology in 1972. Unfortunately, his need for corrective lenses for his vision prevented him from becoming a commercial airline pilot, which was a rule then that has since been changed. He went to Flight Engineer School and received a flight engineer turbo jet rating on a Boeing 727 but eventually chose not to join the airlines. Although he was older than the average student at Southeastern, Per made lifelong friends during his studies. While they all took different paths in aviation, they maintained close friendships for the remainder of Pers life.
After completing his studies, Per worked for Beechcraft Aviation in Wichita, KS, where he was an instructor on the King Air. He had other jobs as a personal pilot for a doctor in Arkansas, a corporate pilot for Goldkist in Georgia, and as a corporate and personal pilot in Midland, until he joined Yates Petroleum Corporation in 1983, as its corporate pilot. His first flight with the company was July 7 of that year. He was the companys Chief Pilot for the remainder of his career, but he was also known to be a caretaker, porter, travel planner, chauffeur, and dear friend to the many company employees and Yates family members. His final flight was February 19, 2006, 41 years and eight days, and 14,410.7 flight hours after his first flight.
After leaving the cockpit, Per continued to work for Yates Petroleum Corporation as the Chief Aviation Department Manager, managing the aircraft, hangar, logs, and pilots. He finally retired from Yates Petroleum Corporation on February 5, 2010.
Over his lifetime, Per built a vast family of friends, from his college buddies, flying associates, company friends, lunch bunch, and many others across his community. He maintained a genuine interest in the wellbeing of others. He was a great listener who wanted to absorb the knowledge of others and share stories of his own. He was a voracious reader and knew how to translate his depth of knowledge into interesting stories that he loved to share. He was a conversationalist and spent time making sure his friends were appreciated.
As a pilot, he took great care to ensure his passengers were always comfortable and safe. He would say his goal was always to have an equal number of take-offs and landings. Some of his most memorable experiences included flying doctors to Mexico through Doctors Without Borders and providing air travel for patients in need of care, particularly the four individuals who needed organ transplants. The height of his medical service may have been taking a nine-month-old baby girl to California to receive a new liver in 2002.
As a friend, he loved to enjoy his hobbies with a group. From fishing to skiing, motorcycle riding, and mountain biking, he would always have friends in his company. As Multiple Sclerosis began to affect his lifestyle, he did not let it define him. He insisted on meeting friends every day for meals and getting out to enjoy the community as best he could. Although he never had children of his own, he was a mentor and uncle to many of his friends children.
He had a huge heart for animals and always kept dogs and cats as part of his immediate family. He also kept treats in his car for his friends pets.
Per was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Osa and Jim Irwin. He is survived by his younger sister, Kersti Landeck of Eugene, Oregon, a niece, Katrina, and his beloved and faithful dog, Breeze.
It has been said that, although he had very little family, he truly had the hugest family of all – his friends.
Fair Winds and Blue Skies, Per.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 11 at Artesia Country Club. For information, call Artesia Chamber of Commerce, (575) 746-2744. To make a donation in his honor, please consider the following:
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
ATTN: Donor Relations
375 Kings Highway North, Suite B
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 www.mymsaa.org/donate/honor-and-memorial-donations
The United States Naval Institute Foundation
291 Wood Road, Beach Hall
Annapolis, MD 21402 www.usni.org/foundation
U.S. Navy Memorial
Director of Planned Giving
701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004-2608 www.navymemorial.or/general-donation
National Air & Space Museums Wall of Honor
P.O. Box 37012 MRC 321
Washington, DC 20013 www.airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-honor
Ocotillo Performing Arts Center
Artesia Arts Council
P.O. Box 782
Artesia, NM 88211 www.givebutter.com/artesia-arts-council-inc
Friends of Artesia Public Library
P.O. Box 1020
Artesia, NM 88211
For the purposes of purchasing printed or audio books
Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, UT 84741 www.bestfriends.org
