Wayne was born to Ralph K. and Gertrude E. (Hundrup) Rose in Sterling on June 17, 1929. He grew up in Padroni, Colorado, with his two younger brothers, Clinton and Ron. He graduated from Padroni High School and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his years of military service, he maintained a wide range of USAF transport aircraft, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his honorable discharge in 1953, Wayne began his civil aviation career, working on airplanes and flying agricultural spray planes. Shortly after starting work at Sterling Municipal Airport (Crosson Field), he formed and became co-owner of Sterling Air Service, the new FBO at the airport, helping to build the business into a Cessna dealership, Cessna flight school, charter business, full aircraft maintenance service, with a scheduled air service between Sterling and Denver.

On December 26, 1952, Wayne and Mildred “Millie” (Brunner) were wed in Sterling, where they lived and raised their three children. They were married for 66 years, and enjoyed golfing, gardening, travel and sharing

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