Warbird Information Exchange

Bill,

Thanks for the thoughful post on Gary. Hope all is well with you and the snow is piling on for some good skiing.

Bill, those were great words you spoke my friend. Gary was a great guy. The thing that got me about Gary is that my first time meeting him was at a very busy Aeroshell Square by the B-24. Barry and I walk over to say hi and before I can say anything Gary says "hey! Chris!". He made you feel like you were old drinkin buddies in minutes. Here he is with all this stuff going on and people all over the place, and he cared enough to remember my name. Then he chatted with us a bit we got some pics and said we'd meet up later at Zach's. He was a great dude and Bill, you summed his character up great. I too am glad to see you posting, and like the others are sorry for the reason.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I want to write something directly about his death, but I want to do some research first. i will try to do it today.

I do think one of the overwhelming emotions that I felt at first was extra reget or sorrow that Gary chose to leave this world. So many of us would have reached out a helping hand, at least temporarily if we had been called upon.

But Brad's post on this subject was very good, it makes it clear that Gary did know that there were people like Brad and his family that cared about him.

We can not know exactly what was in Gary's mind, how he saw it and how it felt to him.I don't know the details of his medical condition, nor do I want or need to. If Gary had wanted to make all that public he could have. In the end it was his choice to stop the strain. Maybe there is a heaven and maybe he's up there flying a Sea Fury or a little racer, with a cat as a co-pilot.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Bill, I'd like to add my appreciation for your thoughts, and welcome you back- hopefully for a good while.

Lynn

Great post indeed Bill !

Nice to see you back on the forum.

_________________
Michel C
Thousands of a/c pics at Passion-Aviation

Missed you Bill! Wish your return would have been a happier occasion. Some of us old guys get to experience more of this kind of stuff and it doesen't lessen the impact. Gary Austin was a rare person, and the fact that he has touched so many who he had never met is one of the positives of his character. I'm sure we will find a way to honor Gary and his memory will be perpetuated by those of us who only knew him from his contributions. God speed Young Man!

_________________
tracers work both ways

Bill, that was well said and thoughtful.
Regrets and punishing ourselves over what-ifs or might-have-beens are pointless especially in view of all the fond memories of Gary that so many have shared.

Doug Ratchford

_________________
"I love the smell of 100LL in the morning."

Well said and thoughtful is right. Gary was great about saying thoughtful things really well, too .... you guys have that in common. I wish to goodness I could express myself half so well as either of you.