One year ago today, Southwest Airlines said goodbye to our Founder and Friend, Herb Kelleher. And while we cherish our memories—we take comfort that his legacy most definitely lives on in each of us.
Herb was passionate about the Customers and People of Southwest, and our passion for him is evident by the way we’ve come together as a community to honor and celebrate his life. Impacted by his enduring influence, People from inside and outside of the Company have shared tears, stories, quotes, and laughs throughout the year.
To remember Herb’s birthday in March, Southwest donated a total of $1 million—or $7.37 for every current and past Southwest Employee—to the Southwest Airlines Employees Catastrophic Assistance Charity and The Herbert D. Kelleher and Rollin W. King Scholarship. Then, to honor Herb on Southwest’s birthday in June, Southwest's President Emeritus Colleen Barrett gifted four limited-edition statuettes of Herb that are on display on our corporate campus in Dallas.
As Southwest's CEO Gary Kelly has shared, “Herb stood for love, it’s what he personified, it’s our ticker symbol, and it’s our Heart. May we continue to make Herb proud by coming together with love, respect, hard work, and an unwavering sense of fun.”
We encourage you to visit www.HonoroingHerb.com, a site rich with memories of Herb, a touching tribute video, and a link to his Celebration of Life recorded on January 22, 2019.
The Employees of Southwest will forever honor Herb’s extraordinary life and his exemplary contributions to our airline. As Herb dynamically demonstrated, connecting with one another’s humanity is essential, and he will forever be our inspiration to serve with Heart.