Original Message ----- I too was shocked to see that he had to sell his KR2. The information that Mark said, that John wanted to be at the gathering this year was not just for the KR, it was also for all the friends that he had met at the gathering. He was a good guy and will be missed by many. God speed John.
END I went to the memorial service on Sunday for John and Chris and had the opportunity to speak with John's wife and family. She told me she is the one who prompted John to get the new plane so he could fly now instead of waiting to finish the KR. She said he loved to fly and would always be working like a mad man or dreaming of new ideas for his KR project. She also said he was getting in some practice for the trip to the Gathering this year. I let her know John also had his extended family in the KR net and that he would be sorely missed. She seemed surprised that some had recently been in contact with John to make sure he showed this year and that he mattered so much to so many. I extended our condolences on behalf of the KR family. After the service a few of the guys in Waco's and Stearman's did a missing man formation and then I made a pass in the KR for John and his family. I don't now what was going on Sunday but I think every nut case around was trying to fly into Corona. The other formation and I were cut off several times while attempting our passes by people not paying attention or just inconsiderate. Unfortunately, a guy who forced his way into the pattern landed and then retracted his gear instead of flaps on roll out. The plane dumped right next to the observation deck where John and Chris's families were. Go figure the plane was a "V" tail Bonanza like John's. I am told John's wife was considerably shaken by this. I ended up having to orbit the airport for about 1.4 hours while the runway was cleared and the FAA reopened the field. What a day... :( Stay safe. Steve Glover KR-2 N902G AJO, Ca <kr...@cox.net>
