Airline Pilot Central Forums - Captain Richard Stoltzfus

It breaks my heart to report it appears that Captain Richard Stoltzfus has perished on a ice gathering mission for his Tsiu River fishing cabin, subsequent to his Super Cub's engine failure on takeoff over the mouth of a glacial Alaskan river about 10 minutes flight north of the Tsiu.

The wreckage of the Super Cub revealed the pilot and passenger seatbeats released, and doors unlatched and opened, leading to speculation that exposure to the glacial water temperature, current, and surf prevented a successful swim to safety. Search operations were suspended.

News reports are available via an Internet search.

Richard took early retirement from Western/Delta Airlines to attend seminary, and became a Mennonite clergyman. After several years, he returned to flying at Ryan Air, followed by Morris Air, and Southwest Airlines. After Age 60 Rule forced retirement from Southwest, Richard relocated to the fishing village of Cordova, Alaska and continued flying specialized global missions, where he became familiar with such locales as Colombia, Trinidad, Dubai, Baghdad and Afghanistan.

Richard easily earned my respect not only for his superior and prudent aviation skills, but for his personal integrity, generosity, compassion, and huge love for life. He loved his wife and kids, and had no fear of death. I will always remember him fondly.