May 14, 2006 the King-Pin of VFR Towers; FH passes away

[Paul Meyer AMT797]

Thanks for all the good times Don, I'll miss you.

[Bryan Wollenberg]

When I got your e-mail Gerry, I only needed to read the subject, and I knew what had happened.

This is definitely a sad day. I really wish I could have had the chance to meet Don in person. He will be greatly missed.

[TFlanary]

A Pilot & Controller that will truly be missed, by everyone that ever met him.

[Joey Vargo]

It's an honor to have worked with you at SMO just this winter. We'll miss you, Don.


Joey

[Ian Elchitz]

Thanks for letting us know Gerry - I agree that it might give Jan some comfort to see just how much we all loved Don.

I need to take some time to think about this however - I have to admit your post hit me pretty hard and I can't do this right now.

Please pass on our condolences to Jan, it must be very hard for her.

Indeed a very sad day for ZLA.

[Andres Braun]

WOW - Cant believe this is really happening.

Before, I used to talk to Don alot, specially all those pictures he sent me of his BEAUTIFUL house up there in Washington.

He will remain in my memory and I hope in everyone's as long as we continue here in ZLA.

Its hard to find people so dedicated to this hobby like FH was, and because of this he certainly diserves some sort of "award" for all the hours he gave to VATSIM, ZLA, SMO and new students - if not all the hours he commited to RW aviation! .


Im sure he will be watching us (from up there - the sky he loved so much) and that his soul and spirit will be protecting his family, ZLA and all the things he loved so much.

[Craig Moulton]

Words alone can not convey the emotions I feel. I don't want to say those things that are normally said here. I would like for all of us to celebrate his life and his love of life, flying and of ZLA. I never met Jan, but I wish to thank her for sharing him with us. He will be missed by many communities.

[Rich Lee]

I would like for all of us to celebrate his life and his love of life, flying and of ZLA.

May we suggest that vZLA retires the initial "FH" in memory of Don? It really has a special meaning to many of us.

[Eugene Zaporozhets]

Don was one of the nicest, kindest people I've known. It was always a pleasure to talk to him, he could give you that comforting feeling of a father patting you on the head.
Can't imagine ZLA without him, a great loss...

[Brad Littlejohn]

Wow.. I don't know what to say.. I come home from 4 days of work out of down, and I am absolutely speechless. Nothing I can say can take away the sorrow we are all feeling. FH was an inspiration to all of us, and I know we will all miss him dearly. I know I will.

I agree. FH should be retired.

We should hold some sort of event (possibly push CalScream back a couple of months) for FH. Staff a Class D everywhere we can (possibly another D-Day) and dedicate it to FH.

GH, please let us know what arrangements are going to be made. I would like to try to make it to the funeral. I know we could owe him that. At least at the dinner coming up, we drink a toast to him.

Blue skies, FH. we'll miss you.

BL.

[shez]

Quite a shock. I thought he would be back any day now.

Don was the only controller I know who actually got a mention on AVSIM forums for doing something different (i.e. encouraging VFR traffic at smaller airports). His contribution to ZLAs popularity cannot be underestimated.

This forum will also lose a contributor who added color to the topics being discussed.

Rest in peace, Don.

Shez

[Bernie Fritts]

While I do not believe I had the pleasure these posts are a testament to a wonderful person and an all around great guy.

I wish I had an opportunity to get to know him as you all have.

Rest well Don your memory lives on in your friends from ZLA.

[Keith Smith]

While this is an enormous loss, there is joy in knowing that even after he stopped flying in the real world, he found so much pleasure in flying and controlling here on VATSIM. His regular staffing of SMO was the catalyst for a VFR revolution here in ZLA, and his countless hours teaching and working the towers made such a difference to a great many ppl.

squawk VFR, FH, freq change approved.

[Bob V]

Forgive me folks but this is the first time I've ever posted on this forum.

I feel it's important for all to know that Don was my first mentor who did all he could with getting me started in the learning process here at ZLA.

It saddens me to hear that he has left.

In my book he was a wonderful teacher and friend.

As with all, this is truly a sad day.

Don-- Thank You

Bob Vaillancourt
BV

[necigrad]

Never took off with controlling, and don't fly online much at all. But I lurk here, and occasionally respond. Just from the forums, I learned a lot about FH. He was a man who loved aviation. He learned how to control, found a smaller basically unused airport, and turned it into a place where one knew they would be welcome to fly, be it a full IFR approach or simply three bounces to "stay current." He knew that every pilot, real world or simulated needed the basic VFR flying skills, and successfully brought it to VATSIM.

I agree with the suggestion of retiring his initials. His contributions to ZLA are deserving of that. I would go one step further, leaving him on the roster, perhaps with full privilages.