Thought I'd put a few words down in honor of a good friend who passed away last month... Dave Immel was the unofficial mayor of Yellow Pine Idaho. He wasn't a pilot but his home was opened to pilots who needed help or were stranded by weather... Dave was a true American.. he retired in Yellow Pine after a career as teacher in the Boise school system. His house is the first one on the left after the intersection when you enter town from the airstrip. Dave built his house himself from logs found in the area and cut on his own saw mill... He and his wife Lennie lived in yellow Pine year round and Dave hunted and lived the good life in the Idaho back country..His walls were lined with guns from floor to ceiling.. and I once asked him if they were loaded... he replied," what the hell good is an unloaded gun.'' Dave and I met about 12 years ago on my first trip into Johnson creek. He invited me and my flying buddy for an Elk roast dinner with all the trimmings. It was truly a fun time and I'll never forget the hospitality he and Lennie showed a perfect stranger... since then I visited every summer I;ve been up to Idaho and looked forward to Venison , Elk burgers, and the good visits in his home..He took me into the back country in his Jeep and showed me things most pilots or visitors to the Idaho back country never see... Lennie will stay at the house in Yellow Pine i've been told and I look forward to seeing her this summer if my plans work out... There will be a memorial this summer at the memorial in town for Dave.. He will be sorely missed by the residents of Yellow Pine as well as those of us pilots who were fortunate enough to know him....

Hey Butch I had the honor of meeting Dave once. Great guy. Gone but not forgotten.

Rob