Don quoting Woody Guthrie in his cockpit retirement article that he wrote in October 1993.
There are so many memories I can think of when it comes to my grandpa, but the one I'd like to share is about when he helped teach me how to drive a stick shift. I was so happy he agreed to offer his time to teach me, and it was especially nice because I usually associate this type of learning with parents, so it was nice he was willing to take the time to teach me. Even though I must have gave him a fright a good number of times, he was always the picture of patience with me. That was one of the qualities I most admired about him. Always patient, kind, thoughtful and knowledgable. It seemed he always had something interesting to say on just about any subject. And the thing I can always remember so clearly about him is his laugh. I think you can tell a lot from someone by their laugh, and his was perfectly genuine, just like him. If there is a place where we all go, he deserves the most glorious place there can be. Grandma and grandpa, you will both be close to my heart, forever.
I met Don while cycling the Marble Mountain Loop, a supported ride by Russ and Renee Rickert, in Siskiyou Co. California, I think it was 1993. He was a great conversationist, and we fell into talking about many things, including flying (I was a general avaiation pilot and physician airman medical examiner at the time), and of course cycling, politics, and just about anything else. He invited me to link up with Nancy Carter's Rogue Recyclers group, which I did (see photo I just posted). We enjoyed many rides together, and I met many friends because of him and Ros. We had a particular interest in discussing aviation accidents, and all the ways that pilots could screw up. His airmanship was meticulous, as was his knowledge about a lot of other things, matters technological and cultural, . He and Ros honored me with attendance at my 50th birthday party in 2001, and became generous supporters of a non-for-profit safety-net community clinic where I served on the board and smoozed for money a lot. My generation loses friends frequently. It is hard to get used to. Thank you Don, and Ros.
