Have a look over at the Oz Report for details.
Rob's left us, he succumbed to the cancer.
Rob Kells has passed
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Rob Kells has passed
Sad to hear for the community, but most of all the family.
Re: Rob Kells has passed
I had the good fortune to meet Rob at Highland a few years ago. He left a positive impression on me that I won't forget.
Jim, please add my name to those offering condolences to his family, friends and coworkers. I am sure he will be missed.
Dan T
Jim, please add my name to those offering condolences to his family, friends and coworkers. I am sure he will be missed.
Dan T
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Lauren Tjaden
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 6:27 pm
Re: Rob Kells has passed
David Glover told the pilots at the awards ceremony in Big Spring on Saturday that Rob had died that morning. Jeff Shapiro talked about how we had been flying with a lot of joy and how much Rob would have loved that.
Rob "adopted" many up and coming pilots at Wills Wing, many of whom continued on to represent the US in competition. He was no wussie -- ha, you should hear his story about how his glider was fried in a power line when he was testing a parachute -- but he was also always a voice of reason and an advocate for safety. The comp scene is an environment that is mostly male, competitive, and full of big egos, and Rob was a calming, positive influence.
For me? When I ordered my Sport 2, there was supposed to be a wait of months. I told Rob wanted to fly my new glider to the beach and asked if they could ship it sooner. It left the factory in 3 days. He even sent me pictures of him flying it.
When it came time for me to move up to a topless glider, Rob told me that WW didn't have one in the right size for me, and sent me to Moyes. My safety was more important than him to a sale. He also helped me to purchase a harness and spent hours telling me how I could safely transition to both it and the glider.
When Rob warned me that the U2 he'd left at Highland was too big for me (years ago), and that I shouldn't fly it, i flew it anyhow -- and I crashed it, doing much damage. Rob wouldn't let me pay for it, not a penny. He just made me promise to use better judgment in the future.
This man was handsome and full of life and adventure. He cared about the sport of hang gliding and he cared about people. I can't believe he's gone.
Please send Trish, his wife, your love and a note if you can find a moment.
Lauren
Rob "adopted" many up and coming pilots at Wills Wing, many of whom continued on to represent the US in competition. He was no wussie -- ha, you should hear his story about how his glider was fried in a power line when he was testing a parachute -- but he was also always a voice of reason and an advocate for safety. The comp scene is an environment that is mostly male, competitive, and full of big egos, and Rob was a calming, positive influence.
For me? When I ordered my Sport 2, there was supposed to be a wait of months. I told Rob wanted to fly my new glider to the beach and asked if they could ship it sooner. It left the factory in 3 days. He even sent me pictures of him flying it.
When it came time for me to move up to a topless glider, Rob told me that WW didn't have one in the right size for me, and sent me to Moyes. My safety was more important than him to a sale. He also helped me to purchase a harness and spent hours telling me how I could safely transition to both it and the glider.
When Rob warned me that the U2 he'd left at Highland was too big for me (years ago), and that I shouldn't fly it, i flew it anyhow -- and I crashed it, doing much damage. Rob wouldn't let me pay for it, not a penny. He just made me promise to use better judgment in the future.
This man was handsome and full of life and adventure. He cared about the sport of hang gliding and he cared about people. I can't believe he's gone.
Please send Trish, his wife, your love and a note if you can find a moment.
Lauren