Bruce R. Kennedy | Airline executive, 68

Former Alaska Airlines chief executive Bruce R. Kennedy, 68, who led the company's expansion as an international carrier before stepping down in 1991, was killed when his single-engine plane crashed on Thursday while trying to land in Cashmere, Wash., his wife, Karleen, said.

Mr. Kennedy was Alaska Air's chairman and chief executive officer from 1979 to 1991 and continued to serve on the board until his death. He is credited with expanding Alaska's routes in the western United States and to Mexico, and with developing Alaska's Horizon Air subsidiary. Under his leadership, annual revenue rose from $234.5 million in 1982 to $1.1 billion in 1991.

After more than 30 years with Alaska Airlines, Mr. Kennedy left to pursue humanitarian efforts. He and his wife traveled to China to teach English with the Christian group Educational Services International, and they volunteered with World Relief and sheltered dozens of refugee families in their Seattle home.

Mr. Kennedy served on the boards of several Christian organizations, including Crista Ministries and the Mission Aviation Fellowship. - AP