Hundreds gather to remember the life of Dr. Pam Bird

SANDPOINT ­— "And he will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand."

A fitting tribute, the hymn "On Eagles Wings," sung by hundreds who gathered Friday to pay their respects to Dr. Pamela Riddle Bird and say goodbye to the wife, mother, grandmother and friend. The nation lost a well-known commercialization expert with the passing of Bird, but locally, the area lost an aviator, friend, mother and mentor. Bird was killed in an airplane crash Thursday, Oct. 8 near Hope, with her two close friends, Tookie and Don Hensley.

Father Dennis Day spoke fondly of Bird, 59, describing her skipping down the aisle of the church with her granddaughter just one week before her passing. He said she was a passionate and blessed person who lived her life filled with gratitude. Purple, pink, green, blue and white feather boas wrapped the necks of many of the attendees, in honor of Bird always being "dressed to the nines."  

"The Earth is much worse without her around," said Forrest M. Bird Charter High School principal Mary Jensen.

Bird and her husband, the late Dr. Forrest Bird, founded the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center in 2007 in Sagle. Being the only aeromedical museum in the world, the couple collected more than 21 unique aircraft and rare vintage cars. Original patents for inventions have also found a home at the museum, including for the doorknob, the floor mat, original Superman items, the computer chip and the first patent for the shoe.

Autographs and photographs from many famous people line the walls of the museum, including Amelia Earhart and Orville Wright. More than 100 medical inventions invented by Dr. Forrest Bird before his passing on Aug. 3 at the age of 94, can also be found at the museum. NASA donated many of the items at the museum and several of his planes are destined for the Smithsonian Institute.

He invented many items but most notably the medical respirator, pioneered the medi-evac, anti-g suit pressure regulator, and the Baby Bird, a respirator for babies. The Baby Bird lowered the mortality rate for premature babies from 70 percent to 10 percent. The couple was known for their love of math, science, innovation and aviation, and they hope more young people will take their legacy and try to change the world.

An inventor in her own right, Dr. Pamela Bird founded Innovative Product Technologies, Inc., a technology based commercialization corporation headquartered in Florida with a branch in Sandpoint. She was the liaison between inventor organizations, venture capital organizations, entrepreneurial networks and research park facilities. She helped inventors bring new products to consumers by working with national buyers in retailing, pricing, promoting, packaging and distributing. She also served as a consultant for ABC's "20/20" as a new product development and commercialization expert.

Tookie Hensley was her aviation mentor. The two paired up for the Air Race Classic in 2014, a cross-country journey. Bird was a licensed pilot and was in the captain seat during her final flight.

She authored more than 70 publications, including "Inventing for Dummies," published by Wiley Publishing Company, owner of the "Dummies" series. Bird was the guest on several television shows, including "Golden Lifestyles," and was a product evaluator on "American Inventor." She was honored as the keynote speaker via a satellite conference with China officials regarding new product commercialization in the U.S.

The nonprofit Inventors Educational Foundation was founded by Bird. It is a charity that assists in the education and commercialization needs of innovators with new products and technologies from all ages and walks of life. She co-branded the first credit card with MBNA, a large credit card company, to start the first credit card for innovators, patent attorneys and patent agents. All proceeds she receives from this card are donated to the Inventors Educational Foundation.

She was a licensed building contractor for commercial and residential construction, and had a passion for horseback riding, downhill skiing, gardening and boating.

Jensen said the charter school name was changed in 2010, to honor the accomplishments of the couple. They helped with the Invention Convention at the school, and judged the contest. They often opened the museum to the students, influencing the students to try to change the world. Other than a couple of yearly scholarships, the Bird's do not monetarily fund the school. Jensen said they chose the name truly to honor the influential couple.  

"People can change the world and we want our students to follow that," Jensen said. "Pam was the heart of many things we have done around here."

Jensen said she had the privilege of meeting Pam and Forrest when the school name was changed. She said they were a dynamic couple who supported each other and had many of the same interests. She was told of the two working together in their office, with their backs to each other and how they came up with many great ideas this way.

"They were adorable," Jensen said. "Obviously, they loved each other deeply."

She said she admires Pam for her helpful, giving nature. When she first started as principal eight years ago, she received an email from Pam telling Jensen her ear was hers if she ever wanted to talk.

"I admire her for her determination, strength and compassion," Jensen said.®