2 men identified in small plane crash in Oregon - 1 was my half brother

[helderheid]

My half brother was discovered dead in a plane crash today. They have his age wrong - he was closer to 50.

Breaking News »

2 men identified in small plane crash in Oregon
By The Oregonian
January 18, 2010, 2:47PM
Authorities have identified the victims in a small plane crash Sunday near Philomath in Benton County as Vernon Ray Bentley, 52, of Blodgett and David Sherwood Pitkin, 59, from Bandon.

Searchers found the wreckage of the plane about 8:30 a.m. today west of Philomath. Both Bentley, the pilot, and Pitkin were found dead at the scene.

The plane was reported missing about 8 p.m. Sunday. The plane had been due in Corvallis about 4 p.m., police said.

Bentley worked for the Department of the Interior, the owner of the plane, and Pitkin was a contract employee working with Bentley.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

-- The Oregonian




Birth and Death is a grave event; How transient is life! Every minute is to be grasped. Time waits for nobody. - Inscription on a Zen Gong

Papa, I can't imagine what you're feeling right now. I've been crying on and off all day, not so much for myself as I really didn't know Dave, but for you, for Paul, and for Joe.

I was trying to remember the last time I saw David. I thought I'd share it with you as it's the only really clear memory I have of him. I was 11 I believe, and he had come to visit. You weren't home for one reason or another so to surprise you, he grabbed a lamp shade and stuck it on his head to see how long it would take you to notice it was him, and not a lamp. If memory serves, it didn't take much time at all. This memory made me smile so I'm hoping it will do the same for you.

I love you, Papa. Please let me know if I can do anything. I'm thinking about you and my heart breaks with yours.

***


You are such a wonderful daughter. It made me cry, but a good cry.

I love the wonderful woman who used to be my baby girl.

Pop

[Sultana]

1. I'm so sorry

:hug:

[Quantess]

2. I'm so sorry to hear it.

I hope he died instantly, without any suffering.

[Swede]

3. Sad news.

Condolences to you and yours.

[flvegan]

4. My friend, I am so very sorry to hear this.

[helderheid]

5. Thanks everyone. It's been a surreal day. Very hard.

[SeattleGirl]

6. My condolences to you and your family.

And thank you for sharing that story about David. It made me smile too.

[helderheid]

7. thank YOU. I needed to hear that. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear helderheid...

Your story is breaking my heart...

But what a beautiful memory you've shared with us. It made me smile too...

And the Zen Gong quote is glorious...

Thank you for sharing this with us...

And my deepest condolences on this devastating loss...

:hug:

[bluesbassman]

9. My condolences helderheid.

Safe passage for Dave and peace to you and your family. :hug:

[grasswire]

10. check your PM

I'm so sorry.

[helderheid]

11. are you in OR?

[grasswire]

13. yes (eom)

[MrScorpio]

12. My most sincere condolences, helderheid

[Odin2005]

14. OMG! I'm so sorry!

:hug:

[abq e streeter]

15. My condolences to you and your family; I'm so sorry ...

[donheld]

16. Oh God I'm so sorry

:hug: words fail.

[Kali]

17. oh no

how shocking, I'm sorry

too many leaving this January!

[helderheid]

18. thank you all. I'm drinking too much.

[ThomCat]

19. I am very sorry.

:(

:hug:

My condolences for you whole family for what you/thay are going through.

[ClayZ]

20. I am sorry for your loss!

[auntAgonist]

21. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your sweet memory

made me tear up. May you find more memories to comfort you, tucked away in the recesses of your heart.

aA
kesha

[laylah]

22. I am so sorry

for your loss :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

23. I'm so sorry to hear it.

:hug:

[peekaloo]

24. Condolences.

:hug:

[livetohike]

25. My sympathy to you and your family helderheid

:hug:

[Deep13]

26. I'm so sorry to hear it.

:(

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

27. My heart goes out to you and your family

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[JohnnyLib2]

28. Sad, sad news.

I'm very sorry.

[redwitch]

29. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

30. Safe passage to your half brother.

May he be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours, helderheid. :hug:

[Flying Dream Blues]

31. I'm so sorry, heiderheid.

What a sad, awful tragedy. You and your family will be in my thoughts.
:hug:

[applegrove]

32. Really sorry.

[femmocrat]

33. My deepest sympathy, helderheid.

:hug: I'm so sorry.

[GreenPartyVoter]

34. I am so sorry :^(

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

35. I'm very sorry.

[Vidar]

36. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

[fortyfeetunder]

37. My condolences on this sudden and tragic loss.

I am sorry to learn about your half-brother's sudden death. May you and your family be comforted with the memories you had of him.
Also, condolences with his colleague's family.

[joeybee12]

38. Oh boy, that sucks...so sorry to hear this

:grouphug:

[nastar]

39. Sara, Molly,Reagan?

Not sure which. This is cousin Chris sending all of our thoughts your way. Your story fits the David I knew to a Tee. He loved to pull a good trick off and I remember many myself. Love to all and you Uncle Bill.

Chris and family.

[Dystopian]

40. My heartfelt condolences

helderheid~
My thoughts go out to you and your family...I am so very sorry.
The letter to your Papa and his reply brought me to tears.
May you and your family find peace of mind...

Rest in Peace, David





peace~

[bigwillq]

41. I am very sorry for your loss.

:hug: