Tailgate 0 #1 January 14, 2009 In case anyone remembers us.......The Riffe brothers Tom and I jumped at Chester for a while. We weren't hard core, but it was a blast. The best times of his life. Tom, my brother, passed away last Thursday. Way too soon. I know he would wish everyone blue skies. I sat down the other night to write some stuff, as I guess therapy, I havent finished the page with pictures yet but here's a link http://riffeonline.com/tom He was my rock, my therapist, my best friend. Man, Im gonna miss him. The last thing he said to me in an email was "Blue Skies" _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #2 January 14, 2009 QuoteIn case anyone remembers us.......The Riffe brothers Tom and I jumped at Chester for a while. We weren't hard core, but it was a blast. The best times of his life. Tom, my brother, passed away last Thursday. Way too soon. I know he would wish everyone blue skies. I sat down the other night to write some stuff, as I guess therapy, I havent finished the page with pictures yet but here's a link http://riffeonline.com/tom He was my rock, my therapist, my best friend. Man, Im gonna miss him. The last thing he said to me in an email was "Blue Skies"TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 620 #3 January 14, 2009 What a wonderful way to eulogize your brother. That's a very heart felt piece and I'm sure he appreciates it. It will damn sure move those that read it. Sorry you lost your friend, thanks for sharing him with us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #4 January 14, 2009 It'a the only thing I could think to do. In a letter to his children (grown), in regards to the disposition of his ashes he said "Paul Will know what to do" .... so I guess I need to get back in the air so I can do what he wanted. .................It's been a while. Let's say I'm aprehensive about jumping again. But it's what he wanted so I gotta do it. _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #5 January 14, 2009 Has his children ever jumped? Could one of them be open to doing a tandem and releasing the ashes that way? Just offering a suggestion if you are apprehensive about jumping yourself... Condolences for your loss."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #6 January 14, 2009 Thank you for your thoughts. Dont think I could get them in the Air (he never could) . It will be ok, I will do it for Tom. They will be there for support. I'm thinking one of the last loads of the day. Let him ride off into the sunset _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,116 #7 January 14, 2009 QuoteThey will be there for support. I'm thinking one of the last loads of the day. Let him ride off into the sunsetThat's why he trusted you to know what to do. It sounds perfect. I'm sorry for your loss. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #8 January 14, 2009 Thank you, I've been out of the fold fo so long, but you are so supportave. man, that's so cool. Thanks _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seadream91 0 #9 January 14, 2009 What a heartfelt and beautiful tribute to your brother! Thank you for sharing. 'Nothing that is loved is ever lost ... No one who has touched a life, who has brought beauty to the world, is ever truly gone." My deepest sympathies to all who knew & loved him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #10 January 14, 2009 'Nothing that is loved is ever lost ... No one who has touched a life, who has brought beauty to the world, is ever truly gone." That's so nice, .....Thank you _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #11 January 15, 2009 Idea: Get an ash bag made. Get current again and take him on all your jumps with you until you're ready to do a formal ash dive. If you feel like stopping before then, just turn downwind under canopy and let him loose behind you. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #12 January 15, 2009 Would it be bad luck to jump his gear. Size isnt a problem. I weigh right at 200 and his chute is somewhere around a 290. I guess it would be floaty _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #13 January 15, 2009 QuoteWould it be bad luck to jump his gear. Size isnt a problem. I weigh right at 200 and his chute is somewhere around a 290. I guess it would be floaty Well, if he died skydiving with that rig, I probably wouldn't want to use it."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #14 January 17, 2009 Didn't die skydiving. Died in his office. _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #15 January 18, 2009 QuoteWould it be bad luck to jump his gear. Size isnt a problem. I weigh right at 200 and his chute is somewhere around a 290. I guess it would be floaty It has nothing to do with luck or juju. Use the rig that you will have the least amount of attention on. If you need to get recent first then by all means use it to do so. When you're comfortable for an ash dive it'll be all the more meaningful. If you are focusing any attention on the rig during a jump it is a distraction you don't need. fair winds, jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #16 January 25, 2009 Ok, I'm disapointed. Over the last couple of weeks I have sent email, left voicemail and yesterday left 2 messages at Chester regarding getting current and doing the ash dive with no response. I'm gonna try Raeford. While I jumped there a couple of times, Tom didn't jump there but perhaps I can accomplish his last wish there. _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #17 January 26, 2009 Quote Ok, I'm disapointed. Over the last couple of weeks I have sent email, left voicemail and yesterday left 2 messages at Chester regarding getting current and doing the ash dive with no response. I believe Chester is just for military jumping now. Probably best to give Raeford a call. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #18 January 26, 2009 Paul. If you still are interested in jumping at Skydive Carolina, contact James La Barrie: He post as Antigua here on dz.com You can also email him at [email protected] PM me if you need further assistance. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #19 January 26, 2009 The first email and Voicemail I left were for James. I'll try again. Thanks _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #20 January 26, 2009 I stand corrected. I just got a call from james and we lined out a gameplan. I should have been more patient _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
