Lost a Good Friend...
 

Hi,

Some of you may have seen the story this past weekend of the Plane which left Montana enroute to Mpls. and strayed off course, alerted 2 F-16 Squadrons and ultimately crashed in W. Virgina Friday Night.

Well the Pilot/Owner was a longtime friend of mine, Bill Cammack. Bill was a great Auto Enthusiast and Spec Racer, in addition to his love for Flying. I've known Bill for almost 40 years and have been up with him in his Beechcraft Baron many times.

Bill grew up only about 4 blocks from me and we were both fascinated by flying. Both Bill's Parents were Pilots, his Dad was an Exec. VP for Marigold Foods. Bill owned an Industrial Chemical Supply Company and often flew his Baron on Business Trips. He was on just such a Trip Fri. when he left Montana to return to the Twin Cities.

In speaking with his brother Dave, it is speculated that Bill may have passed away in the Air while the Plane was on Autopilot. He was lost to the FAA Control Center in Salt Lake and failed to acknowledge Mpls. Flight Center. The Plane flew past Mpls. and passed over Madison, WI were two F-16s were dispatched. They turned the plane over to 2 Michigan AirGuard F-16s over Detroit who tracked the Plane to Charleston, W. Virgina when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed. It is speculated that the Plane exhausted it's fuel supply. All the while, Bill failed to respond to radio calls and flares launched by the F-16s. The NTSB is investigating.

Bill leaves a Wife and 3 children. He was a past Rotary Club President and respected Community Leader. It is a tough time for those who knew Bill. He will be sorely missed... R.I.P.

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim -

It sounds like the world is a poorer place without Bill. May he rest in peace.

Truly Sorry For Your Loss. Bill Sounds Like a Great Man. May He Rest In Peace. I Will Whole Heartedly Keep His Family In My Prayers

Hey Jim, sorry about your loss.


When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you
for a little while,
Please do not grieve
and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow
to you through the years,
But start out bravely
with a gallant smile;
And for my sake
and in my name
Live on and do
all things the same,
Feed not your loneliness
on empty days,
But fill each waking hour
in useful ways,
Reach out your hand
in comfort and in cheer
And I in return will comfort you
and hold you near;
And never, never
be afraid to die,
For I am waiting
for you in the sky!

- Helen Steiner Rice-


This is a poem from a friend's prayer card that I lost to Leukemia in 1999. I carry it everywhere.

May he rest in peace. It is nice to see that he, at least, died doing what he loved to do.

My prayers are with the family and friends.

Carl

Jim,
Very sorry to hear about the loss of a friend. Coming from a flying family (father B-17/brother F-15, T-38, Steerman, Luscomb, etc.) brings this close to home for me. We will keep the family in our prayers.
Tom

So sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear about your loss, Jim. His family and friends are in our prayers.

sorry to hear about your friend, it is always tragic to leave before your time.

give our condoleances to his family.