by "Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
Published 09/05/2017 at 12:19
by "Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
Published 09/05/2017 at 12:19
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STARS: 13
Uncle Don died three years ago this month and this was his 60s era Piper Cherokee that he owned and flew out of Somerset, Pennsylvania. This was the last time I flew with Uncle Don, in 2007. It was a sad day when Uncle Don’s declining health forced him to sell his beloved aeroplane. Uncle Don was always happy for a reason to take a trip around the patch and a visit from his nephew was as good an excuse as any to take her up. Macular degeneration ended Uncle Don’s flying hobby, and cancer ended his life. We just celebrated the life of Aunt Ruth, Don’s wife, a few weeks ago, cancer having taken her as well.
"DutchieDC2R" (dutchiedc2r)
09/05/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0
It’s a terrible desease I’d not wish upon my worst enemies. I’ve never been into airplanes before, but it’s taking a turn the last few weeks. I’m looking into doing a couple of lessons in order to broaden my horizon and see if I’m interested enough to make it last and actually dump proper money into it.
Sorry for your loss. He seems like he was a supercool uncle to have.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/05/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0
RIP - that’s a cool picture of him, focused, with the sun in his eyes on the climbout— and doing what he loved. Pictures like that are important memories.
It’s sad that he and his wife are gone, cherish those fond memories and keep them alive!
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
09/05/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 1
Holy cow, does he ever look like his brother in that last photo. I remember one trip where everybody was sitting around not doing much of anything and he said, “Who want to go flying?” Good times. Thanks for posting.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
09/05/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 1
Sorry to hear you have lost both Uncle Don and Aunt Ruth now. RIP
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
09/05/2017 at 13:18, STARS: 2
O.C. and I are brothers, so that’s my Uncle Don too. It would seem that aviation runs in our blood, as does driving. You’d be hard pressed to find a male member of this family who doesn’t either drive for a living or simply love to drive.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/05/2017 at 13:31, STARS: 1
That’s cool that aviation and automobiles run in your family - - it doesn’t seem to really run in mine, although my dad has a passing interest in both.
Aha - I knew you were brothers with someone on here, but couldn’t remember for the life of me!
Great memories of your uncle - that’s a neat Cherokee Six, too —
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
09/05/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 1
That a/c was manufactured in 1965. I love the color. Perfect for the era.
"EngineerWithTools" (engineerwithtools)
09/05/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 2
That’s a beautiful airplane all around, and the colors are just perfect. Based on the active N-number, it seems likely someone is still enjoying her. Airworthyness/manufactured date, December 14, 1965.
That’s a picture of a man at peace with the world, at least while flying.
Thanks for sharing, O.C. and ttyymmnn.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/05/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 1
Yeah - that color combo is perfect—
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
09/05/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 1
I think my parents had a kitchen that was that color...
"Flyboy is FAA certified insane" (flyboy396)
09/05/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 0
Nice looking plane!
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
09/06/2017 at 08:54, STARS: 0
We have a half brother — same mother — who is a mechanic for United.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
09/06/2017 at 08:54, STARS: 1
Thanks Dave. They lived good lives.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
09/06/2017 at 08:56, STARS: 0
Yes, and the light was just right. I think those are the best photos of the airplane that anyone in the family bothered to take.