Highline resident Bruce R. Kennedy, a former chief executive officer of Alaska Airlines, was killed on June 28 when his single-engine plane crashed near Wenatchee.

The Cessna 182 crashed and burned while trying to land in a Cashmere school yard around 7 p.m., according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.

Kennedy, 68, died at the scene. No one on the ground was injured.

When Kennedy's family got word of the crash, his son, Kevin, drove to the scene, Kennedy was on his way from Hot Springs, Mont., to visit his grandchildren in Wenatchee.

"We have every reason to believe the plane was Bruce's Cessna 182," his wife, Karleen Kennedy of Burien, said in a statement.

"While we are deeply saddened by the loss of someone we love and admire so much, we rejoice in the knowledge that Bruce is united with his Lord Jesus and take comfort in the fact that he died doing something he loved."

Kennedy, who served as Alaska's chairman and CEO from 1979 to 1991, is credited with expanding the airline's routes into southern California and to Mexico.

He also developed Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines.

Kennedy left Alaska Airlines after 32 years for humanitarian service. He and his wife taught English in China with Educational Services International, a Christian group, and he volunteered with World Relief.