Feb 17, 2011, 3:14 AM
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Ian Aitken
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Hi Folks I'm sorry to report the death of Ian Aitken in Colorado recently. Ian started jumping at Strathallan (Scotland) in early 1978 and went on to become a club instructor before moving to Headcorn in Kent to work there full time.
He was a member of the British 8 way team in the 1980s and was one of the very first UK AFF Instructors
A few years later he moved to Canada where he worked for the Alberta Skydiving association and jumped all over the world.
He had spent the last year traveling the world and jumping, visiting Strathallan again last summer.
I was so sad to hear of Ian's passing. He was a true inspiration to all. I am proud to have known Ian and will cherish the memories of the times he spent with us.
Ian was my brother in skydiving. Because of him I've met many Canadian skydivers who have become close friends, have seen snowpacks fall while lunching at the top of Lake Louise in Banff, have paddled a canoe, have listened to blues at King Eddy's, and became an organizer at Lost Prairie.
Blue skies my brother, I hope you have found peace.
I was fortunate to know Ian from Alberta Skydivers. He was a great guy. He always had a smile on his face. He will be missed. Thanks Ian for the good times!! He will miss you!
I enjoyed my friendship with him, he gave me lots of advice as I was starting into skydiving and coaching.
I'll always remember the two of us driving back from Lost Prairie in his stinky camper van. We had to stop at all of his favorite places on the way and took way longer than it should have. It was a great trip.
We heard about Ian's demise while in Reno. It was always a privilege to work with Ian at Beiseker, Alberta. He was one of the best instructors I ever worked alongside. I cried all over my keyboard this morning!
I met Ian at Lost Prairie. We partied up at the fire tower. I was wearing a Herd shirt, and he told me that he had one from a Herd Boogie years ago and he thought it was packed away in a duffle bag somewhere. Before we left that year I gave him that shirt and you would have thought I gave him a million dollars.
I first met Ian at Headcorn and had a great time there with him and the other instructors. I met up with Ian again last year at Strathallan with his sister and had a good laugh together.
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