History 21 The Podcast - 1.15 Lyle Bradley
It's an honor to present this podcast in memory of Lyle Bradley, who passed away on June 7, 2021 at the age of 96. One of two oral history interviews he gave the archives of ACHS (2003 and 1993), we invite you to share in the stories of this talented individual who served his community in a multitude of ways. In this episode, Lyle speaks of becoming a combat fighter pilot, including how being a bird watcher can get you in trouble during flight training.
Interview transcript available in the show notes.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Lyle Bradley in his military uniform, ca 1942
Lyle Bradley
1924 - 2021
“Lyle R. Bradley, 96, of Andover, MN passed away peacefully with family at his side on Monday, June 7, 2021. ... Lyle was born November 22, 1924 in Dubuque, IA ... where he developed a love for birds and fascination with flight that was central to his life. As young man, Lyle went off to war in the Pacific flying the F4U Corsair in WWII, and continued his service in the Korean War and many years in the Marine Reserves, retiring as a Lt. Col. after 42 years. In 1954, Lyle met Carol at a teacher’s summer school class in Duluth, MN. They were married June 25, 1955, and established their homestead on the Rum River in Grow Township, outside Anoka, MN where they raised their five children and resided until the end. Lyle was a beloved Science Teacher at Anoka Senior High School from 1955 until he retired as the District 11 Science Consultant in 1984. He will be remembered by hundreds of AHS students for the famous Summer Biology Field Trips, every summer from 1961 – 1983, where he was known affectionately as Bugs. It was through a field trip to Wyoming that he discovered the dinosaur site the Science Museum of Minnesota has on display. Throughout his life, to the end, Lyle was a committed citizen having served on the Metropolitan Airport Commission, the Minnesota Zoo Board, local Grow Township government before it was the City of Andover, Community Ed Ornithology classes, started the Wood Duck Society, belonged to a writers group and was a published co-author of a book called ‘Marine Wings’.” Obituary Anoka UnionHerald, June 2021
History 21: The Vault Extras
Listen to Lyle Bradley’s full oral history interviews from 2003 and 1993 talking about his military experiences.
Lyle Bradley. Photo taken May 19, 1991.
Lyle putting up wood duck houses outside in the snow with an Outdoor Learning class of kids.ca 1974.
Anoka County Library Minute
Further Reading:
William Stadiem's book looks at the late 1950s, Pan American World Airways, and the beginnings of passenger flight. Learn about the "skycoons" who started the business of international travel by plane and the jetsetters who popularized it. This time in American history is fascinating, a Mad Men-flavored era of travel and glamour.
World War Two Fighting Jets by Jeffrey L. Ethell (358.43 ETH)
Learn about some of WWII's greatest fighter jets in this book by Jeffrey L. Ethell. Ethell details the development as well as the operational careers of these aircraft, and gives the history of German, British, Japanese and American planes that flew in the war. Lyle Bradley also flew one of these sleek machines in WWII and Korea, specifically the American F4U Corsair.
The Science of Flight: The Air-mazing Truth About Planes and Helicopters by Ian Graham (J629.13 GRA)
This book in the popular Science of Engineering series introduces kids of all ages to planes and helicopters, and how they get off the ground. Not only will kids learn about the engineering aspects of flight and how our understanding of flight science has changed throughout the years, but they will find these lessons accompanied by fun illustrations, easy to understand side-panels for difficult concepts, and examples from real life.
The Bedside Book of Birds: An Avian Miscellany by Graeme Gibson (598 BED)
When I saw birds on this week's list of topics, I knew I had to include this book that a patron recently showed me. The Bedside Book of Birds isn't heavy reading; rather it's bits and pieces from literature, science writing, nature writing, and poetry that examines the human fascination with birds throughout time. Likewise, it contains gorgeous pictures and art. Truly a wonderful meditation for someone who loves the avian world.
The Backyard Birdwatcher's Bible by Christopher M. Perrins (598 BAC)
Or, maybe you would like to learn about the birds that live right outside your back door. With beautiful illustrations and packed with information, this handy reference guide will teach you to recognize the birds that visit your yard every day. In addition, you can learn how to craft birdhouses and make your garden welcoming to your avian neighbors, sure to bring even more of them to your doorstep.
The Audubon Reader by John James Audubon, edited by Richard Rhodes (598.0924 AUD AUD)
Undoubtedly the most famous American artist of birds, John James Audubon also wrote about birds. Richard Rhodes, Audubon's biographer, has presented these excerpts from Audubon's journals, letters, and published works to give readers a glimpse into the writings of the great American ornithologist. And yes, there are 16 full color reproductions of Audubon's illustrations in the text as well.Kevin Henkes, famous children's picture book creator of classics like Kitten's First Full Moon, also has a picture book all about birds! Gorgeously illustrated by Laura Dronzek, the birds in this book seem to come to life on the page. They are described in detail by the book's protagonist, a little girl who watches the birds from her window and wishes that she could fly.
What Is Life?: Five Great Ideas in Biology by Paul Nurse (570.1 NUR)
Noble Prize-winning scientist and renowned biologist Paul Nurse discusses five great ideas that help anyone to understand the basic underpinnings of life. Learn what it means to be alive through discussions of The Cell, The Gene, Evolution by Natural Selection, Life as Chemistry, and Life as Information. Nurse gives us an overview of these important factors of life by exploring the work of scientists who have gone before him and his own experiences, while also commenting on the current threats to life as we know it like climate change and loss of biodiversity.
Metazoa: Animal Life and the Birth of the Mind by Peter Godfrey-Smith (590 GOD)
Sea sponges. Octopuses. Fish. Corals. These creatures seem as different from humanity as you can get, yet we are all a part of the Metazoa - the Animal Kingdom. Peter Godfrey-Smith looks at sea creatures, insects, birds, and primates to show how different kinds of animals have been shaped by evolution, not only in their physical appearance but in the development of their minds.
Are plants capable of influencing the actions of animals, and vice versa? Can lifeforms communicate across species types? The Secret Wisdom of Nature asks these questions and more. Peter Wholleben has spent decades studying nature and is a renowned forester and combines his personal experience with the latest scientific breakthroughs to talk about the connections between plants and animals and the way they keep one another in check.