A close friend of my wife and I unexpectedly passed yesterday morning. He was in the hospital for minor surgery and was just getting ready to be released. He was joking with the hospital staff one minute and dead the next. He leaves behind three kids and a wife. He and his wife were more than just married - they were best friends. She is taking it hard.

I have seen it said before on this forum, in one form or another "Fly like it might be your last time."

Last summer my sister-in-law's father asked her if maybe she could get me to take him for a ride. He had never been up in a light aircraft before and always wanted to fly. So I flew down to his town with my sister-in-law and picked him up for a flight up and down the Jersey shore. He was deeply appreciative and his family said that was all he talked about for a couple months - right up to his death. Who knew?

I have always enjoyed flying Young Eagles, friends, and anybody else who expressed an interest. Somehow flying is special, not just to us pilots but to most people. My friend's death makes me want to fly more, and, take more people for a ride so that they can have that experience at least once in their life.

Well said.

I'm sorry about your friend.

Sorry about your friend,

and thanks MUCH for the "reminder"

I guess while to day may be the first day of the rest of you life,
we may also want to fly as though it is the last day of our past.

Very sorry to hear this about your friend Rod.

Sorry to hear that Rod, one just never knows...

I feel your pain. A friends wife passed last week. You certainly re-asses things when you have to deal with a situation like this.

Godspeed

The Other Rod

Rod, If you have watched my videos you know I do a lot of sharing my love of flight with others. If you haven't seen my videos look here: www.youtube.com/skybobb, two of sharing are HIS LAST RIDE- and OWYHEE RES. HILTON HOTEL & SADIE.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Bob