A C L O S E R L O O K
Meet the Kenmore Air Family 3 Generations of Mr . Munro ’ s Descendants ( and Counting )
KEY FACTS
Patriarch & Matriarch : Bob and
Ruth Munro Youngest Family Member : Mason
Banks ( 17 ) Commercial Pilot Licenses : 2 Private Pilot Licenses : 4 Favorite Local Restaurant : Acapulco Fresh
Monro ’ s descendants and their spouses : Leslie Banks , Tim Banks , Gregg Munro , Margie Munro , Todd Banks , Jayne Banks , Olivia Banks , Hunter Banks , Mason Banks , Allison Russell , Chris Russell , Kylie Russell , Logan Russell , David Banks .
AT THE NORTH END OF Lake Washington , tucked beside the mouth of the Sammamish River , sits a humble airport . It has sat there ever since Bob Munro founded Kenmore Air in 1946 with two high school friends .
What started out as a one hangar , single seaplane company has grown into a thriving multi-faceted business . Today — 75 years later — picnic tables serve as departure “ gates ”; employees park among company aircraft , and , Munro ’ s descendants have been raised — quite literally . The original family home still stands at the westernmost edge of the five-acre campus where Munro and his wife Ruth raised their three children , Leslie Banks , Gregg Munro and Margie Munro .
“ One of my first jobs here was mowing the grass parking lot where the planes were parked ,” recounted Gregg .
While Bob passed in 2000 , his legacy lives on . The multi-faceted business he created — including an airline , maintenance department , and parts supply business — celebrates its 75th year and remains a place where family is ingrained in the very culture .
Three generations of Munro descendants can now be found working as a cohesive unit . Leslie keeps her hand in operations in the office and Gregg still enjoys flying to his favorite destinations .
Leslie ’ s son , Todd Banks , officially joined the company in 1992 and became the company president 15 years ago . Banks ’ sister , Allison Russell , works in the company ’ s accounting department . Banks ’ wife , Jayne , is the merchandise manager for the company ’ s gift shop . And , three of Munro ’ s great-grandchil- dren are currently members of the line crew : Hunter Banks , Mason Banks , and Logan Russell .
“ This is my son Logan ’ s first summer . Seeing him out there , working on the docks like I did , is amazing ,” said Allison .
Working the line has long been a rite of passage in the airline industry . It ’ s how most pilots get their foot in the door . But at Kenmore Air , washing windows and fueling planes offers more than just career development . It helps instill the patriarch ’ s motto — doing the right thing — into the company culture .
“ When you do the right thing , you treat people like family . And to us , employees and customers are part of the Kenmore Air Family ,” explained Todd .
Does the family have a favorite plane ? Six Six Zulu . It ’ s the second de Havilland Beaver my dad purchased and it was his favorite . He flew it everywhere , including his famous glacier flights . — Leslie Banks
18 explore : NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air