From Southwest Airlines Employee News
Farewell to our Founder
EmployeeNews
January 3, 2019 at 4:30 PM
It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that our Founder, Inspiration, Chairman Emeritus, and Friend, Herb Kelleher has passed away this morning at the age of 87. Herb is survived by his wife, Joan; three of their four children; many cherished grandchildren, and, of course, his pride and joy, YOU, the Employees of Southwest Airlines.
As a member of the Southwest Family, you’ve no doubt heard the lore. Born Herbert David Kelleher on March 12, 1931, and raised in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, Herb received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan and his law degree from New York University. He practiced law on the East Coast before relocating to Texas with plans to start his own law firm. In 1967, Herb and client Rollin King incorporated Air Southwest, Inc., with the idea of offering low-fare, intra-Texas airline service. After a name change and many legal battles valiantly fought and won by Herb, Southwest Airlines took to the skies on June 18, 1971—a date that would change each of our lives forever. Anyone in the world who has set foot on an airplane in the past 50+ years has been touched by the life of Herb Kelleher.
As we all know, Herb has played a very profound role in the life of Colleen Barrett. They have been a powerful duo since she became his legal secretary in 1967, and together they nurtured and groomed Southwest Airlines into the Company for which we proudly work. “He always supported me and always treated me as his complete equal. His generosity and inclusion from the very beginning allowed me opportunities and experiences that have been my guiding lights,” Colleen said.
Gary’s is another one of the many lives that Herb touched, and he had this to say about his lifelong mentor and friend: “One of the greatest joys of my life has been working alongside Herb for more than 30 years. His stamp on the airline industry cannot be overstated. His vision for making air travel affordable for all revolutionized the industry, and you can still see that transformation taking place today. But his legacy extends far beyond our industry and far beyond the world of entrepreneurship. His true impact can only be accurately measured by the hearts and minds of the People who he inspired, motivated, and engaged on a daily basis. And that, I believe, cannot be measured or quantified—but it is to be admired and appreciated by all who have been fortunate enough to experience it. I consider myself blessed to be one of those People.”
Herb was a Freedom Fighter. He revolutionized the skies. He blazed a trail of low fares and exemplary Customer Service in an industry ruled by just the opposite. Herb was a Pioneer. A Maverick. An Innovator. He celebrated and exemplified the esprit de corps of the Southwest People with such vigor that the spirit grew exponentially. Herb knew all along that “The business of business is People”—yesterday, today, and forever. Herb decided long ago that our Internal Customers, our Employees, would come first.
Herb has been quoted as saying, “It is my practice to try to understand how valuable something is by trying to imagine myself without it.” We now have to imagine ourselves without Herb. Our Founding Father has passed on, but the legacy that he has left to each of us is still very much alive. Take a moment to embrace your Southwest Family, and grieve as Families do. But remember, Herb would want you to laugh through your tears.
We miss you already, Herbie.
A special page has been set up on Culture >SWA Family >In LUVing Memory for you to share your thoughts and memories of Herb. Additionally, we know you will want to share photos and memories on social media as well. Feel free to use the hashtag #HonoringHerb in your posts.
If you would like to mail a card to Herb’s family, please send them to
Kelleher Family, care of Southwest Airlines
2702 Love Field Drive
Dallas, TX 75235
We will be planning a unique celebration of Herb’s extraordinary life for our Southwest Family. More details will be shared soon.