Sad News from Ridgely

[John Dullahan]

Yesterday, Ridgely had its first hang gliding fatality in 16 years of operation. Bertrand decided to take a short flight prior to the Highland Challenge pilot's meeting at 11:00. Just as the meeting was to begin, Bob came in and said to hold off because Bertrand had a hard landing in the car park alongside racetrack road and that it might be serious. Witnesses said Bertrand did not appear to be in control of the glider and spiraled in all the way to impact. There were paramedics at the vintage car show taking place at the park so they were on the scene almost immediately. They performed CPR to no avail. I had just introduced JoAnn to both Bertrand and Sammi just before he took his flight, so all of us who knew both Bertrand and Sammi are in shock. Adam and Sunny shut down flight operations immediately. Local newspaper report here: http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/ ... ad0fa.html

John D.

[John Dullahan]

Betrand was an unassuming, affluent, outgoing, and vivacious guy who lived life to the full. He loved Sammi, his pug, vintage and modern Porsches, and flying hang gliders. He also loved flying at Highland, and spent so much time there that he recently bought a house in the vicinity. He and Sammi treated fellow pilots to many delicious cooked meals at Highland, including at least one during the last ECC. Many pilots asserted their gourmet hamburgers were the most delectable they ever tasted. Bertrand was a very popular guy among all who knew him and will be sorely missed. Here’s an interview by Melike Ayan, a TV reporter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VARWBa8Wfu4

[brianvh]

I think most people who knew him are still too stunned to write. Once I moved to New York my flying had dropped off, and some of the magic seemed to have worn off. Bertrand and Sami saved me from that, re-igniting my love of flying with their joint enthusiasm. We'd go on road trips to Morningside, Greylock, Hyner, the Pulpit and Ridgely. We'd meet at his art galleries in New York, and I was sad to see them move to Ridgely though I was excited for their new life. I never got to visit their new house, where art was stored in waiting for gallery shows. Bertrand was such a generous soul, full of life and humor. He was part of my life. What I'm feeling now is emptiness and shock.

[markc]

Bertrand and Sammi (and Hugo!) have been a huge part of the flying scene at Highland.

This simply fucking sucks.

[markc]

Ah.... sorry. Getting angry doesn't do Bertrand justice.

Bertrand is/was a bon-vivant in the truest sense. He loved flying, he loved travelling with Sammi to all kinds of flying sites, and they enjoyed the air together many times all over the US. Bertrand was the instigator of feasts and revelry at Highland. I remember the first time that I happened to be around for one of those feasts, and it was all about "Hey, join-in my friend, welcome!". And this was while putting on a spread for like 20 pilots, on just an ' average' weekend. I felt embarrassed because I wasn't contributing anything... But it wasn't about that, it was about the fact that you were a fellow pilot-in-arms.

Bertrand was an excellent pilot, staying up when many succumb to gravity's call. He loved his T2C and flew the hell out of it.

Argh! I'm getting angry again.

And Bertrand and Sammi just kept the good times going. I remember one time when I walked into the kitchen area in the blockhouse, and it was like, WAY clean and shiny! I'm the last person to notice that sort of thing, or even practice anything comparable at home.... But wow, it was clear that a top-chef-class kinda guy had decided that Highland was going to be 'home'!

And that's what it was, even to the extent that Bertrand and Sammi bought a house that's literally minutes from the flight park. When I heard about that, I was like "Wow, they'll be local, major good times ahead!". And they had all sorts of plans for his art dealership and NYC galleries.

I simply can't wrap my head around the fact that all those plans have been cut short.

MarkC

[bowen.tim]

Let me first say.....tragic loss. I did not make it out to Ridgely this weekend due to family commitments, but I got a call from one of the pilots there about the accident. My heart just sunk. I am not sure I could have handled the emotions of the day.

Bertrand was one of the most likable pilots there. He would give the shirt off his back to help you. His and Sammi's generosity to everyone there was unconditional. He made a hell of a hamburger! He/they were the epitome of life. He will be sorely missed.

RIP Brother.

[kcarra]

Mark said it well. I was just catching up with Sammi the other weekend and thinking "what a great life they have, and it couldn't happen to nicer people". I think that only Hugo could make a noise adequate to express our sadness.

Karen

[mcelrah]

So, so very sad about this. I'm worried about Sammi. Anybody know anything about how she's holding up, what she will do?

Thanks Knute, for posting some weblinks - I did not know the fullness of what a man of parts Bertrand was. "Ars longa, vita brevis."

And thanks to Richard Elder for carrying the burden of calling some of us with the bad news. This is the reason we are such a tight community: the possibility of just such an event for any of us.

I'm sure those with the right expertise will let us know in the right way if there is any evidence of prior structural failure... But it is possible we will never know...

- Hugh

[Brit_in_SoMD]

Angelyn spoke with Sami briefly this morning.

Sami's been at Ridgely since Saturday.
Her mom and some other folks from NY came down but have left now.
Sami's been spending her time with Sunny, Adam, and Kristin.
She's heading back to NY tomorrow.

In Sami's words, she's still "just numb".


Richard M

[Matthew]

I have few regrets in life.

One is not getting to know Bertrand better. I thought I would have the time.

The loss of such a charming, gracious and giving person tears at all of us.

My heart goes out to Sami and all of the friends and family of Bertrand.

There should've been more time.

Matthew

[markc]

Yeah, definitely, worried about Sami, especially after the crush of all the arrangements and planning have receded. She will need our support.

[alek]

One morning, about eight years ago, I was walking somewhere from my home in Brooklyn. Turning a corner I saw a guy I’ve never met before load a hang glider on his car. (How often does that happen?)

• Me: Judging by the clean glider bag, it’s a brand new Will’s Wing.
  Him: Just a few flights on it. Do you hang glide?
  Me: Yeah, umm, but not as much as I’d like to…. My glider is still in DC…. And I don’t keep a car in the city, and ….
  Him (without hesitation): My name is Bertrand. You fly this one here, and I’ll take the old Falcon. Should be a nice today at Ellenville. I’m driving.

For him there was no hyperbole in “giving a shirt off his back.” Every day, flying or not, was a day filled with meaning, purpose, kindness, giving, and joy. He genuinely cared about everyone around, friends and strangers, and people gravitated towards him. He constantly brought people together from all of the many different circles of his life. Everything he did was on a grand scale. There was a sort of positive magic vibe around him that I just can’t reduce to words.

Bertrand and I spent much time together. We drove many thousands of miles on epic flying adventures. For a couple of years we lived a few blocks from each other, and sometimes hung out daily. At a time in my life when I had many friends, he became my closest. Then, life got busy, and how I regret that I let our paths diverge.

Scrolling through our old emails, there is one from that time that reads: [* As all who knew him know, “biatchy” was one of Bertrand’s standard terms of endearment.]

Subject: Good to see you the other night

I miss you biatchy! I wish you could come fly with us… Leaving on 10/26 back on 10/31… Think about it!
Biatchy b

Guys rarely, if ever, tell each other “I miss you” but apparently for Bertrand it was more important to tell to me what he felt than to maintain some norm or custom.

Last we spoke, I was looking forward to bringing the family out to see Bertrand and Sami at their new Ridgely home later this summer. What a perfect setup, true to style.... Alas, I waited too long.

I miss you, Bertrand. We all do.

-Alek