Babette Andre Obituary

It was a pleasure to share time with her. Her aviation experience was broad and my time is very small though we were both members of the Colo. Aviation History Society. We also shared a Peace Corps experience but in different countries. We will miss her. She made big footprints.

I first met Babette through joining the 99s way back in the 70's, when we were both young. Friendly, fun, and very approachable. She was hired by my late husband, Col. Robert K Mock, Ret. Deceased, at Metropolitan State University (MSUD) to teach in the Aerospace Science Department. She was an inspiration to me and many others. May God bless. She has earned her wings again. Condolences to Joe and all her family and friends.

Babette lived a remarkable and fulfilling life. And she taught Joe how to be a pilot! Our condolences to Joe and all of Babette's family.

Paul & Sharon Albright

“There is a great man who makes every man feel small. But the real great man is the man who makes every man feel great.” G.K Chesterton. Babette was a wonderful woman and friend who made all feel great. What an amazing life she led.

from Inspiring Words for Sky and Space Women, by Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D.

Andre, Babette. “Of the various endeavors I’ve undertaken in my checkered careers, nothing has provided more continual challenge, growth, and personal fulfillment than aviation. Its horizons are limitless, and it provides better than average career opportunities for women, plus a most auspicious male-female ratio!” Written by Babette in the June 1981, the 99news national magazine, “I’d rather be FLYING!” In 1959, Andre graduated from high school in Hawaii before heading to the University of California for her BA with studies in photojournalism, political science, international relations, and French. Next was the Central African country of Cameroun as a two-year Peace Corps volunteer. In 1968, she landed in Colorado where she blazed a wide trail in aviation. She became a pilot to overcome her fear of flying. It must have worked because all these years she has promoted flying. With advanced education and ratings, she became a General Aviation flight instructor, charter pilot, and FAA Accident Prevention Counselor specializing in mountain flying. She became a Gold Seal Flight Instructor, along with founding Wings West magazine. She received the National Air Transportation Association Aviation Journalism Award. In 1987, Babette created Colorado’s first State Aeronautical Chart. As a Denver KOA radio Sky Watch air traffic reporter, she multi-tasked using her strong aviation and communication skills to fly the airplane, watch out for aviation traffic, spot road traffic delays, speak in 30 second reports, and constantly listen to KOA in case the studio suddenly “cut to you Sky Spy!” For over 43 years, Babette Andre has enjoyed General Aviation flight instructing. For twenty years, she was on the Metro State University Aviation and Aerospace faculty. In 1990, Babette Andre was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2014, she joined the AOPA national community team as Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport’s Support Network Volunteer. A trailblazer with talent in aviation writing, flight instructing, and mentoring students. Babette flew West in February, 2026. Her spirit continues in the many she taught to look to the sky.

Babette was an old friend and an instrument instructor for me back then 90’s. We had fun during flights speaking Hawaii pidgin (not to ATC). I miss her. Aloha, my aikane

Babette was such a wonderful neighbor and friend!

Babette was a trailblazer in aviation with advanced ratings, she was a premier Colorado Mountain Flying Instructor. In 1978 and later in 1982, she was KA's and KHOW Airborne traffic reporter, flying from then Broomfield Jeffco airport and reporting traffic live while flying. Always a reporter and writer, Babette founded Wings West, a magazine dedicated to colorful stories about our region. A woman of so many talents, it was special to call her our friend. Penny & Bill Hamilton

An amazing woman of her time. She was our first pilot to scatter our ashes over the Rockies. She will always be remembered here at Monarch Society. She now has her "Wings".