Martin, the best friend to skydiving that most skydivers will never know about.
Martin helped build Skydiving Chicago by donating use of heavy construction equipment to build the fantastic facility that people enjoy today. He was not a skydiver (don't know if he ever made a jump) but he was an avid pilot who hangared his plane at SDC. He was a delight to know and always positive even when diagnosed with cancer years ago. He fought long and hard but it finally took him.
Martin you will be missed and we all owe you thanks. Fly West Martin. We'll meet up later.
CAVU.
(This post was edited by diverdriver on Oct 9, 2007, 6:57 PM)
Martin, the best friend to skydiving that most skydivers will never know about.
Martin helped build Skydiving Chicago by donating use of heavy construction equipment to build the fantastic facility that people enjoy today. He was not a skydiver (don't know if he ever made a jump) but he was an avid pilot who hangared his plane at SDC. He was a delight to know and always positive even when diagnosed with cancer years ago. He fought long and hard but it finally took him.
Martin you will be missed and we all owe you thanks. Fly West Matin. We'll meet up later.
CAVU.
Fly free Martin... I'm sure your friends at SDC, will remember you. Cancer is a terrible illness, but, it can be defeated.
Yves.
(This post was edited by ypelchat on Oct 9, 2007, 6:56 PM)
Thank you for posting this tribute, Chris - Martin was truly a great man and a wonderful friend. I believe that one of the tests to determine true friendship is whether people will think of you on a daily basis when you pass away, and Martin will certainly be remembered by a great number of people every single day.
Rook agreed without hesitation to do a flyover at Martin's funeral, and the sight of the Otter flying over low and slow, landing lights on, brought tears to everyone's eyes - a fitting tribute to a great man. Here is what Kent Terry wrote in a newsletter of the Marseilles Rotary club in a tribute to Martin : " At the cemetery just prior to Pastor Tom's word people stood outside of the tent and looked skyward. From the southwest came a twin-engine plane at treetop level as a flyover in memory of Martin. I guess our lives are like that. We come into view, are right there and then all too quickly it sometimes seems we are gone over the horizon. I am so glad that Martin landed with us. "
One year today since Martin's untimely passing, and not one day goes by without me thinking of him and remembering his wonderful friendship - nobody could walk away from a conversation with him without a big smile . I miss you, my friend .....
I'm sure your friends at SDC, will remember you. Cancer is a terrible illness, but, it can be defeated. 
