WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – An air traffic controller from Garden City was killed in action serving with the Ukraine Special Forces in the Ukraine-Russia War.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Garden City Regional Airport (GCK) confirmed that Zach Scheiman, who grew up around the airport at which he spent time working as an adult, died in Stepnohirsk, Ukraine.
Garden City Regional Airport shared the following about Scheiman’s experience and his connection with the airport.
“Zach spent many days in his youth at GCK taking pictures of aircraft, helping with events, and observing his father Mike in the air traffic control tower. As an adult, Zach served in the US Air Force at Altus AFB, Mildenhall RAF, England, Iraq, Qatar and Eglin AFB. Zach came back to GCK as an air traffic controller for the past 11 years.”
The Garden City airport described Scheiman as being inspirational to kids who toured the tower and being patient and helpful with student pilots over the air and in-person when they vistied the tower.
Scheiman also volunteered in his community, serving on the local arts board and presenting on the air-traffic control field at career fairs, Garden City Regional Airport explained. Away form the airport, he devoted time to produce recitals and shows for a local dance studio.
The Garden City airport describes the fallen Air Force veteran as “a lover of aviation and animals, rescuing and adopting many animals himself.”
“In lieu of cards or flowers, donations may be made in Zach’s honor with the Wings of Rescue, which provides transportation for animals from overcrowded shelters and disaster areas,” Garden City Regional Airport concluded in its post about Scheiman.
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