Thanks for your kind messages yesterday. I only met Alan a few times over the years, but I’ve known and been friends with his older sister since 1983. When I talked to her Friday night, she wasnt enthused about the service that was planned for Saturday, but as her husband noted, part of her brother was Hollywood and this is what they do--this is what they know how to do--and they had to do something: they couldnt let this tragedy go by unremarked.
And they pulled it off admirably. I was impressed with just how well they did it especially in a short amount of time. They converted a hangar into a hall for well over 600 people. Offsite parking that ran smoothly and quickly, 20 large screen video monitors set up throughout, food and beverages, video and photo tributes, friendly and efficient staff. It was just really well done.
The ceremony itself had a nice mix between three different aspects of Alan’s life: family, flying, and humanitarian efforts. All the tributes were heartfelt and you came away knowing that this was a good guy. One of the speakers heads up the transplant services unit at UCLA and he listed out the number of organ runs that Alan and Helinet did for them and it was over 2500. Another speaker from the LA Children’s Hospital spoke about how she talked to Alan about needing a helicopter to transfer critically ill children for treatment and that he gave them not one but two helicopters and how he and his pilots flew those flights and never charged a dime.
As far as the Hollywood side of things, Alan had an impressive list of films, over 250 that he worked on. The flying is spectacular.
Quite a man.
I only talked briefly with our friend, but she’s doing as best she can under the circumstances. The family is having a private service today, and then I think things will slow down enough for her to grieve and then move on.
Thanks for your update re the memorial service; good thoughts going out to Alan’s family and friends. Especially his sister; hope the private service today is comforting to her and those closest to Alan.
Last night, we also had the opportunity to sit with a couple of friends from out -of-state that were down here on business. This one guy I’ve known for 40 years and after battling years of addiction, he’s been clean and sober for the last three and doing OK. He looked good; it was wonderful to see…I hope he stays on the right path.
I should get to see my partner, Titan, tomorrow. He is coming to this area to speak to a group of kids at a vocational college an hour South of here and then delivering a titanium part to a professional racer. I have not seen him since 2008 when I came back to California for the anniversary of my retirement. It sounds like he wants to introduce me when he talks about starting his business. I think they will be filming it for his TV show. Oh joy.
A blessed Sabbath, Gerbil Nation!
Is the corkscrew warning us that we’re out of wine? Or is our mermaid about to light another backyard fire?
G’morning, GN!
Hai, Paddy!
There’s something screwy about that thread GIF guy.
When corkscrews drink….
Hai, Sven!
I hope the memorial service went well.
Good morning,
Thanks for your kind messages yesterday. I only met Alan a few times over the years, but I’ve known and been friends with his older sister since 1983. When I talked to her Friday night, she wasnt enthused about the service that was planned for Saturday, but as her husband noted, part of her brother was Hollywood and this is what they do--this is what they know how to do--and they had to do something: they couldnt let this tragedy go by unremarked.
And they pulled it off admirably. I was impressed with just how well they did it especially in a short amount of time. They converted a hangar into a hall for well over 600 people. Offsite parking that ran smoothly and quickly, 20 large screen video monitors set up throughout, food and beverages, video and photo tributes, friendly and efficient staff. It was just really well done.
The ceremony itself had a nice mix between three different aspects of Alan’s life: family, flying, and humanitarian efforts. All the tributes were heartfelt and you came away knowing that this was a good guy. One of the speakers heads up the transplant services unit at UCLA and he listed out the number of organ runs that Alan and Helinet did for them and it was over 2500. Another speaker from the LA Children’s Hospital spoke about how she talked to Alan about needing a helicopter to transfer critically ill children for treatment and that he gave them not one but two helicopters and how he and his pilots flew those flights and never charged a dime.
As far as the Hollywood side of things, Alan had an impressive list of films, over 250 that he worked on. The flying is spectacular.
Quite a man.
I only talked briefly with our friend, but she’s doing as best she can under the circumstances. The family is having a private service today, and then I think things will slow down enough for her to grieve and then move on.
Hai, Sven!
Thanks for your update re the memorial service; good thoughts going out to Alan’s family and friends. Especially his sister; hope the private service today is comforting to her and those closest to Alan.
Last night, we also had the opportunity to sit with a couple of friends from out -of-state that were down here on business. This one guy I’ve known for 40 years and after battling years of addiction, he’s been clean and sober for the last three and doing OK. He looked good; it was wonderful to see…I hope he stays on the right path.
I should get to see my partner, Titan, tomorrow. He is coming to this area to speak to a group of kids at a vocational college an hour South of here and then delivering a titanium part to a professional racer. I have not seen him since 2008 when I came back to California for the anniversary of my retirement. It sounds like he wants to introduce me when he talks about starting his business. I think they will be filming it for his TV show. Oh joy.
He has talked about me on his show before but only had this one picture to show. That is no accident as I try to avoid being photographed.
Will you be wearing a colorful aloha shirt and khaki shorts for the filming?
He was a little shocked when I said I might wear a white shirt with a black vest and tie. He has only seen me in black.
What are these things you speak of???
What I wear now. Isn’t this what I wore at the Gerbilee?
Shop attire back in the mid 1980s. This was my workroom in the mobile home. This was my mill. There was also a 10x36 Atlas lathe.
Yep, that’s what I remember you wearing! Johnny Cash!
Of course, even a brightly colored shirt might have looked black after the FLASH.
Now I know why there was nothing flammable for a twenty foot radius (except for us).
It gives meaning to “scorched Earth”.