Bob Bement
Pattern Altitude
Benny took his final flight Thursday
I was unable to attend Benny's funeral on Thursday, as I have to take care of my wife. My old flying friend finally lost his bout with cancer. I got the word that the church was filled to overflowing with family and friends. He had lived in the Vale area all of his life. He was a farmer and a darn good one too. His good friend Kieth Gressley, the one that went on many of our flights, got up at the dinner after the funeral and told a little story.He told about how he loved to go flying with me and that Keith had got to go along. He said that Benny made his last flight today and he will be waiting for me to join him later. I looked up the flights I made with Benny and his brother Emil, Keith and his son Rex. We made 2 flights to Big Creek, all the others were just one flight each to Sulphur Creek, The Flying "B" Ranch, Mackay Bar, Rome, OR. for brunch, Lands Inn, Dayville, OR. Johnson Creek, The Minam Lodge, and my Brothers place, landing at Rods strip. He loved to fly and at the auction for the Vale Mural Society he tried to buy my airplane ride each and every year, so I could take him to a new and different place in our area. I loved it and am sorry it has come to an end. RIP Benny my flying buddy!
I posted this on my Ramblings page but thought I would post it here too. Just in case you missed it there.
__________________
I was unable to attend Benny's funeral on Thursday, as I have to take care of my wife. My old flying friend finally lost his bout with cancer. I got the word that the church was filled to overflowing with family and friends. He had lived in the Vale area all of his life. He was a farmer and a darn good one too. His good friend Kieth Gressley, the one that went on many of our flights, got up at the dinner after the funeral and told a little story.He told about how he loved to go flying with me and that Keith had got to go along. He said that Benny made his last flight today and he will be waiting for me to join him later. I looked up the flights I made with Benny and his brother Emil, Keith and his son Rex. We made 2 flights to Big Creek, all the others were just one flight each to Sulphur Creek, The Flying "B" Ranch, Mackay Bar, Rome, OR. for brunch, Lands Inn, Dayville, OR. Johnson Creek, The Minam Lodge, and my Brothers place, landing at Rods strip. He loved to fly and at the auction for the Vale Mural Society he tried to buy my airplane ride each and every year, so I could take him to a new and different place in our area. I loved it and am sorry it has come to an end. RIP Benny my flying buddy!
I posted this on my Ramblings page but thought I would post it here too. Just in case you missed it there.
__________________
