From Sky Tricks to New Adventures
Residents at Scotia Village, are full of life, laughter and unforgettable stories and Harry is a perfect example.
A retired major in the U.S. Air Force, Harry spent 20 years flying helicopters on rescue service teams, traveling the world and chasing adventure wherever the mission took him. Today, he has simply traded the open sky for a new kind of adventure at Scotia Village, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Harry has called Scotia Village home for ten years and quickly embraced the active, engaging lifestyle the community offers. But sit down with him for just a few minutes and his stories of flying, travel and unforgettable experiences take center stage.
During his military career, Harry flew all over the world, including Europe, Guam and Japan. Of all the places he visited, Ethiopia left the biggest impression.
“I loved the history and the culture,” he recalls. “It was fascinating.”
When he retired from the Air Force, Harry’s passion for aviation didn’t slow down. In fact, it took off in a whole new way.
He traveled to California to purchase a 1946 open-cockpit Stampe biplane – the exact aircraft featured in the movie High Road to China, starring Tom Selleck. What followed became one of his favorite memories.
Harry Kruppenbach and the late Harry Sandgren, a fellow Scotia Village resident and retired Air Force veteran, flew the plane back to the East Coast. Their wives followed, driving along Interstate 20 as support. The journey took several days and included an unexpected stop in Texas when the plane needed repairs. The wives picked them up, and later the two Harry's returned to Texas to finish flying the plane home.
“I loved doing aerobatics in that open-cockpit plane,” Harry says. “Being in the air is exhilarating. The only thing holding you in is the seatbelt.”
Harry flew that plane for several years, later purchasing a Cessna Cardinal that he and his wife used to travel all over the country together. Though he still holds an active pilot’s license, these days his adventures look a little different.
After retiring from the military, Harry owned and operated McDonald’s franchises in Laurinburg for 20 years, playing an important role in the local community and building lasting relationships along the way.
Today at Scotia Village, Harry continues to live life fully. From playing volleyball with friends and neighbors to joining outings around town and beyond, his sense of adventure is still very much alive.
“Living here at Scotia Village is a great choice,” Harry points out. “The team does a great job of keeping residents active and engaged. It’s a great place to be.”
Harry’s story is a reminder that retirement doesn’t mean slowing down. At Scotia Village, residents like him continue to build connections, stay active and write new chapters filled with excitement, purpose and joy.
By Jessica Ford
Kintura Content Specialist