LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Glenn F. Odekirk, a long-time Howard Hughes associate credited with building the giant airplane called the 'Spruce Goose,' has died at the age of 81.
Odekirk, a native of Waseca, Minn., died Monday of natural causes, according to Mike Anderson, a longtime friend and associate.
Odekirk became associated with Hughes in the early 1930s, when he was employed to work on the motion picture, 'Hell's Angels,' which Hughes produced. He then worked with Hughes on many other projects and became vice president and general manager of Hughes Aircraft.
Odekirk is credited with designing the first airplane to have a swept-wing design and built the Spruce Goose for Hughes, Anderson said.
The Spruce Goose was a record-size seaplane built completely of wood products and flown only once, with Hughes himself at the controls. It is now a tourist attraction at Long Beach, Calif.
After retiring from the Hughes organization in the 1950s, Odekirk began his own firm in Ontario, Calif., to provide military contract work and aircraft modifications.
He retired from the company and lived in Las Vegas for the past two years.
Private services were held, Anderson said.
