The title says it. My brother left us early in the morning of May 20 due to liver failure at the age of 63. Sharing will all of you because I'm numb even though we knew it was coming.
He was an exceptionally bright and funny individual, winning creative writing competitions in high school. He was a true expert in his field of general aviation. He was factory trained at Piper and Cessna. He was a factory tech rep for Continental and Lycoming engines and Mooney aircraft. Set an FAI recognized speed record in a Mooney Ovation averaging a little over 204 knots from San Antonio to Oshkosh. That just describes the tip of the iceberg for his skills. He powered his boat with a 440 CID engine he built to Chrysler's Grand National specs. That was a wild ride in a 19' Century.
The volume of knowledge that someone like him takes with them when they go is a loss for many. Worse is that I will never get to pick his brain again for a bit of his vast knowledge or sit and laugh at our escapades. He thought my powder coated .38 Special loads with a Lee 358-158-RF were the best shooting ammunition he ever shot so at least he had good taste.