Rita Sholton Obituary

Rita N. Sholton passed away late Monday evening, September 16th in Anchorage, AK. Rita was 94 years old and was well known in our Alaskan community. Her life and her contributions to Alaska and Alaskans were remarkable. She was a force - respected and admired across the State. She leaves an enduring legacy.
Rita was born May 18th,1930, in Salmon, Idaho to Harold and Nellie Bahm. Salmon is nestled in beautiful Lemhi County with the famous Salmon River running through it and it always remained a special place to her. As an only child, Rita worked in her parents' general store and developed friendships that would last a lifetime. While aviation would play a large role in Rita's life and career in Alaska, it was in Salmon that she first soloed an Aeronca Champ at the age of sixteen.
After graduating from Salmon High School in 1948, Rita was encouraged by her parents to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. There, Rita joined the Alpha Phi sorority and completed her bachelor's degree in education. Following a stint working in Billings, Montana, she moved to San Francisco and worked as a secretary. After five years in the Bay Area, her girlfriend Susan received a teaching job in the United States Territory of Alaska and asked Rita to join her on the adventure. Rita described it as her best decision ever and like many longtime Alaskans, she had only planned to stay for a short time. Rita accepted a job for the Territory of Alaska in 1957 as a vocational counselor.
Together, the friends lived in the L Street Apartments, as they were known in the day, now the Inlet Towers. It is there that she met Bobby Sholton. Bobby was a young pilot flying throughout the State delivering cargo to villages, mines and construction projects. Bobby and Rita were married at the Anchorage Courthouse in August of 1960. Bobby was busy in those early years building a cargo airline that would later be known as Northern Air Cargo. After the birth of their first child, they moved to the Turnagain neighborhood, which was the limit to how far Rita would move into the "country" from L Street. Rita and Bobby had three children, Adam, Mary, and Paul. Rita was a homemaker and second mother to many children running around the Turnagain neighborhood and in Girdwood, where in 1972 they built a cabin. Girdwood provided many fond memories for Rita and Bobby.
Though he battled illness for a long time, Bobby Sholton continued to operate Northern Air Cargo, buying out his partner in 1981. He ultimately lost his battle against cancer in 1982, leaving Rita with three children, and the responsibility of a large airline. Rita took up the responsibility immediately to begin leading Northern Air Cargo. With a team of trusted advisors and outstanding employees, she continued expanding the business. Rita managed Northern Air Cargo for the next 24 years, growing the fleet to fourteen DC-6 aircraft, the largest DC-6 fleet in the world. During that time, she began transitioning the airline into the jet age with the addition of 727 and ATR aircraft. In 2006, on Northern Air Cargo's 50th anniversary, the Sholton family sold Northern Air Cargo to Saltchuk Resources. It was a decision made to allow Northern Air Cargo and its people to continue to grow and serve people not only in Alaska, but throughout the world. Rita was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame and is commonly referred to as the "Queen of Alaska Air Cargo."
Rita had a great sense of adventure and was fearless in her many pursuits. She traveled extensively throughout the world. She was a skillful hunter with a love for the people and cultures she was fortunate to visit. Among her favorites journeys were her times traveling up the Kobuk River out of Kotzebue, and numerous African adventures with family and dear friends.
Rita was a quiet angel in our community and around the state of Alaska, supporting many organizations, causes and people. Particularly close to her heart was the Marfan Foundation, which she supported for more than 25 years, since the day her granddaughter was diagnosed with the disorder. Rita was honored by the Foundation for her years of impact. She was also a loyal supporter of the Alaska Aviation Museum, Providence Hospital, the Blood Bank of Alaska and many others.
Rita is survived by her children Adam Sholton (Birgitte Sholton), Mary Witte (John Witte), Paul Sholton (Kristin Sholton), and grandchildren Andrea Witte Dubron (husband Jordan Dubron), Thomas Witte, George Sholton, and Henry Sholton. Later in life her greatest joy came from her four grandchildren, and she cherished every moment with them, taking pride in their many accomplishments.
Rita's family would like to thank all those who, through the years, made it possible for her to live well and remain in her home, including Jamie Parton, Barbie Kilfoyle, Ashley Hearn, and Nyabouny Khor and her family. We are forever grateful.
Rita wished to return to Salmon, Idaho to be buried near her mom and dad. She will leave her beloved Alaska one last time, but her mark on Alaska and Alaskans will forever remain. A celebration of her life will be held later in Anchorage.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita, please visit our floral store.