ripcords 0 #1 February 24, 2006 My friend Steve passed away this week of natural causes. He was an amazing man and his nickname was "Tandem Man" or "Tandem Steve". I just wanted to share a small snippet of his life with a group that would appreciate someone that knew how to live life to its fullest. Steve was born in 1924 . While in the armed forces from March 1943 through February 1946, he watched paratroopers jumping into enemy lines. At that time he thought that he would like to take at least one parachute jump before he passed from the face of the earth. Life just kept getting in the way though. So on August 10th, 1986 he reached the age of 62, and he thought that he’d better do it now before he gets too old. He went with a group of friends to the Hazleton Municipal Airport and made his first tandem skydive from 12,000 feet with instructor Rick Eckrote at the Above the Poconos Skydivers. That was it! He was hooked. He even went on to make solo jumps, but age, wisdom and medical conditions made him decide to stick with tandem skydives. On August 18, 2001 at the ripe young age of 77, he celebrated his 100th skydive with an official presentation of his own honorary jumpsuit and helmet from the Above the Poconos Skydivers staff. Family and friends gathered for the momentous occasion and two freefall photographers captured the moment on both video and still pictures. He was accompanied on this skydive by Guinness Record Holding Skydiving Instructor, Don Kellner. Upon landing, his wife firmly stated “That’s it, have you had enough?” With a twinkle in his eye, he said “Sorry love, but I intend to keep skydiving as long as the lord and my body is willing to let me.” He celebrated his 80th birthday by skydiving once again. Steve has represented the spirit of the sport so much that the Above the Poconos Skydivers voted him their Skydiver of the Year! Steve "Tandem Man" may you always feel the freedom of flight. Geronimo!!!! You truly know why birds sing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bozo 0 #2 February 24, 2006 Go easy Steve. bozo bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
namgrunt 0 #3 February 24, 2006 another of out GREATEST GENERATION hooah bro ..59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI) www.dzmemories.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
