Sidney van Sheck

Sidney William Jirousek Van Sheck (born in Czechoslovakia - died 1991)

Educated in art and aeronautics in France, Van Sheck had served as a combat pilot in World War I and had been shot down by a German ace over the French Alps in 1918, injuring his neck.

In Birmingham, Van Scheck worked for Bechtel-McCone, specifically on the wing designs for the B-24 Bomber. He was also active in the arts, working as an applied arts instructor at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute and designing a large mural for the auditorium at Woodlawn High School for the Works Progress Administration.

By he end of World War II Van Sheck and his wife and former art student Grace had settled in Pacific Palisades where he worked with the Hughes Aircraft Corporation, contributing his skills to the B-29 bomber, the Spruce Goose and other projects.

Van Sheck died in 1991. According to his wishes his long-time friend and former Birmingham Post writer Esther Kelton scattered his ashes in the Pacific Ocean.

References

• McGlauflin, Alice, editor. (1940) Who's Who in American Art: A Biographical Directory of Selected Artists in the United States Working in the Media of Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Arts, Illustration, Design, and Handicrafts. Washington D. C.: American Federation of Arts
• Lopez, Barry (January 17, 2002) "A scary abundance of water" LA Weekly