I'm back from vacation and everything went very well, thank you.
Unfortunately, upon my return, I find out that a great tragedy had occured. Dennis Johnson, owner of Great Lakes Skydiving, mentor, role model, and above all a good friend died in an ultralight plane accident the evening of the day I left. By the time I learned of what had happened, via an old e-mail, almost two weeks had elapsed, the funeral was over as was the memorial and everybody but me had had time to digest the facts of the matter.
When I found out it was like the back of my brain just fell out. Dennis introduced me to the wonderful world of skydiving over ten years ago on a chilly April morning. I spent five hours shivering in the early morning chill while he went over the fundementals of skydiving; body position, canopy control, emergency procedures, exits. Due to inclimant weather that day I didn't make my first jump then, that would have to wait for two weeks later. Dennis Johnson introduced and opened my eyes to the sport of skydiving and now, 970+ jumps later, I have never looked back.
Dennis spent the last forty years of his life learning, teaching and above all loving skydiving. This passion for the sport was obvious to everybody from the newest student to the grizzled veteran skygod.
His departure from this world leaves a gaping hole in the hearts all all who knew him.
His death is a great loss and I will truly miss him.
Blue skies Dennis.
Mlive
Unfortunately, upon my return, I find out that a great tragedy had occured. Dennis Johnson, owner of Great Lakes Skydiving, mentor, role model, and above all a good friend died in an ultralight plane accident the evening of the day I left. By the time I learned of what had happened, via an old e-mail, almost two weeks had elapsed, the funeral was over as was the memorial and everybody but me had had time to digest the facts of the matter.
When I found out it was like the back of my brain just fell out. Dennis introduced me to the wonderful world of skydiving over ten years ago on a chilly April morning. I spent five hours shivering in the early morning chill while he went over the fundementals of skydiving; body position, canopy control, emergency procedures, exits. Due to inclimant weather that day I didn't make my first jump then, that would have to wait for two weeks later. Dennis Johnson introduced and opened my eyes to the sport of skydiving and now, 970+ jumps later, I have never looked back.
Dennis spent the last forty years of his life learning, teaching and above all loving skydiving. This passion for the sport was obvious to everybody from the newest student to the grizzled veteran skygod.
His departure from this world leaves a gaping hole in the hearts all all who knew him.
His death is a great loss and I will truly miss him.
Blue skies Dennis.
Mlive
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I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I hope all is well otherwise.