Backcountry Pilot

RIP man, Thanks for sharing your adventure with us and I know it's continuing for you.

Shaun, Thank you for sharing your adventure on Earth with us. There could be no greater tribute to you than these photos and your story!

Thank you!

CAVU forever. Our condolences to friends and family.

I am sorry to hear of Shaun's passing. He truly had a passion for life and it was evident in this magnificent blog. After seeing some of Shaun's adventures, I figured out what I would do if money was no object. Godspeed Shaun... He will be missed...

I only discovered this site, from the tragic news of Shaun's death that was posted in the Anchorage Daily News on 06-08-08. They had a link to this site, which is filled with some of the most beautiful photos of Alaska that I've ever seen. Not knowing Shaun, but in reading his comments, we can all rest assured that he is where we want to be. In heaven, where the scenery is so much more beautiful and where he is at peace in the arms of a loving God and perfect Savior.

The aviator's poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr. says it all.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew —
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Rest in peace, Shaun

Wow, he lived more in his shortened life than most ever do. I would love to be able to purchase some of the pictures he took, they are incredible! I am sorry he gone.

Shaun, Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and allowing us to live the life of a Bush pilot through your experiences. I look forward to doing some 'hangar flying' and hearing all about your travels when I fly WEST. Good tailwinds brother....
Will

Norm,
we are Loni's parents, and our hearts go out to you and your family. When Loni had to call us with the bad news, it was hard for him to even talk. We believe that he was in shock and was very distraught. Shaun has been a good friend of Loni's and he is heartbroken to have lost him. He never felt so helpless in his life because there wasn't anything he could do to help Shaun. He left the scene after waiting for hours for the authorities to come and couldn't stand seeing the plane that Shaun was in any longer.
You are all in our prayers and hope that we can meet you some day. I do hope that you will let us know when the Memorial Service is. If it is possible, we would like to be there.
God Bless you,
Ron and Delores Habersetzer

It has been 5 days now and I still am having an extremely hard time believing that Shaun is gone. He was a great guy. We both shared a love for photography and guns. I was able to shoot his .454 Casull one time out. Man that puppy kicked :). I fly flight sims, Shaun flew the real thing...

He loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Homesick

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
...
I've never been more homesick than now

Goodbye Shaun. I look forward to the day when we can spend more time together, without the cares and worries of this world.

Ron

May the skies always be blue my friend! A pity I never did get the chance to meet you Shaun. I was looking forward to you stopping into Invermere on your way back from your latest adventure up north. Thank you for the help you have given me in the past to help my own bush flying adventures. May prayers and thoughts go out to you, your family and Loni.

Sharn Davies

In Re. to Shaun: The death of Shaun is a great tragedy and he’ll be dearly missed... He chose to embrace extreme flying as his sport. He was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky few who had the freedom to engage in such an art. And within this skill, he got to experience an insurmountable pleasure.

Wow! Amazing Photography...
We will never forget you or your photography!!

Terry

I only knew him through his pictures, all the greater loss. I used them as screen savers, and my partners liked them so well two of them visited Alaska this year. The second brought home the Anchorage news article describing Shaun's death. He was terrific pilot and photographer, and he allowed everyone to share his dream. Gone too soon.
My condolences to the family, and my thanks to Shaun.

Shaun's time was filled with adventure and dreams. It was obvious through his pictures and listening to him talk on the video. What an amazing life he was able to live and for him to share it with us, well, we all owe him for what he has left behind. From one pilot to another; Shaun, thank you for giving back to this world when so many people just want to take. You left it better than it was when you started your journey.