Douglas Meade Cochrane

Doug was born and raised in Miami Springs, Florida. He was the middle child with an older sister, Juanita, and a younger brother, David. He grew up boating and fishing in the waters off Florida and exploring the nearby Everglades. As a teenager, he worked summer construction jobs in the area. His father worked for over 25 years for Eastern Airlines and Doug was a frequent visitor at the Miami airport with his dad. Aviation and boating filled his childhood years and in elementary school Doug declared that he wanted to fly airplanes. Upon graduating high school, Doug went to The Kiski School in Pennsylvania for one year. He then attended The College of Wooster in Ohio for two years. He left college when he decided to join the United States Navy with the goal of learning to fly. Ironically, the boy from south Florida was stationed in Iceland during part of his of naval service! After serving in the U.S. Navy, Doug applied and was hired as a commercial pilot for Eastern Airlines. During his early years with Eastern, Doug lived in Florida and then in the City of Alexandria, Virginia. He met Kathryn Simons, his future wife, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria. Doug and Kathy were married on March 4, 1967 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. They lived in Miami for almost two years. In January 1969, they bought a house in Alexandria (Fairfax County), Va and in April 1969 they welcomed their only child, Andrea Joy Cochrane Tracey into the world. Sadly, Doug lost his sister, Juanita, and mother in the early 1970s – both died too young. He and his brother lost touch over time. Doug flew DC-9s and Boeing 727s both as a co-pilot and captain. He was based out of Washington National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore Washington International (BWI) until 1991 when Eastern Airlines dissolved. When he wasn’t flying, Doug tackled many home repair projects and was known for his uncanny ability to problem solve and find creative ways to address repairs whether it be to a house, car, bike or toy for his daughter! For many years, Doug regularly rode his bike along the George Washington Parkway path. He and his daughter completed several long (50 mile) bike rides. Additionally, Doug cut all the matts for his wife’s watercolor paintings and assembled the frames throughout her painting career. He was an amateur photographer and particularly loved photographing raptors as well as loons in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. He also enjoyed fishing with his daughter. After the premature end to his almost 30 years with Eastern, Doug began a small business offering minor home repair services. He ended the small repair business in favor of working at the Vienna Clock Shop where he learned and excelled at repairing old and historic clocks. Throughout his life, he enjoyed being outdoors and he shared the passion for the outdoors and wildlife with his wife and daughter. He loved hiking, photographing, birding, and identifying plants with his wife. He also loved listening to music, going to the symphony and attending dance performances. He enjoyed sports cars, a passion that his daughter acquired as well! Faith was important to him throughout his life. Dogs were an important part of his life from childhood up through being a “dog grandparent.” Doug is survived by his daughter Andrea and her husband, Tobin Tracey. In lieu of flowers, please consider making contributions in Doug's memory to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House or to the Washington Bach Consort.

Tributes

Douglas Meade Cochrane

August 3, 1936 - December 14, 2022