Posted Condolences / Memories
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The opinions expressed on this page are those of the people making submissions, not the University of Michigan or its affiliates.
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 05:11 PM by Christopher Loiselle |
| I was sorry to hear about the Survival Flight jet going down in Lake Michigan. As a Paramedic in northern Michigan, I have been honored on occasion to help transport the organ teams from the airport to the hospital and back. These people are truly amazing lifesavers and will be greatly missed. May God be with their families at this very difficult time. There is surely a place in Heaven for all of these heroes. |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 03:47 PM by John and Kathleen O'Brien - D'Andrea |
| As a full time Survival Flight Nurse from 1992-1998, I flew in the Citation Jet many times, as well as on the Survival Flight Helicopter.
In 2006 things circled back around, as life does, to teach us lessons. My husband, John was a lung transplant patient. Dr Ashburn was one of the surgery fellows who saw him. People I had flown and worked with were now instrumental in saving my husband's life.
As saddened as we are, the best way to honor these consummate professionals is to continue to do what we do best. My husband takes care of himself to honor the sacrifice made by an unknown 19 year old, and I take care of patients. To do anything less dishonors them and what they lived and died for. I am proud to have had the opportunity to have such incredible people in our lives. Kate O'Brien RN |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 03:35 PM by Margaret Frank-Bader |
| On behalf of the Transplant Team at NYU Medical Center I offer you my deepest condolences on the loss of your transplant team members. The loss of such dedicated professionals who work to save the lives of others is a true loss to humanity. Although we do not personally know each of the team members who were lost, we grieve with you and want you to know you are in our thoughts and our prayers. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and families of these heroes. |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 03:28 PM by Deb Baio, PA-C |
| I was lucky to have crossed paths with David Ashburn at Wake Forest when I was in General Surgery & Trauma PA in the ICUs. We shared jokes, teasing, and the friendly insults of "mouthy southern kids" whenever possible -- all of it in good fun. Ever the southern gentlemen though, he was always amazed at how rude some men could be towards women, and was always willing to "step in and take care of" any guy who was out of line with a foul comment. He was wickedly smart and always there with an answer when I needed help with a critically ill patient. Ever protective of "my" residents and PROUD of where I trained, Dave is one in which I'm proud. Ironically, he is among the residents that I have bragged about in the past few months -- telling my new team "One day, back at Wake...." |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 02:54 PM |
| With the loss of such great men in the Survival Flight crash it leaves an empty space in the heart of many people (family, friends and employees of U of M)... I know from this day forward when I hear the saying "the Michigan Difference" I will think of these heroes... because they are just that...the Michigan Difference. |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 01:49 PM by Phil & Sherry |
| Our deepest & most heartfelt condolences to the families, friends & co-workers of the Survival Flight Team that so unselfishly gave of themselves so that another may receive the gift of life. |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 01:47 PM by william f. northrup III |
| My deepest sorrow at this tragic loss of these extraordinarily talented people from the University of Michigan. My father, now deceased, was a graduate of your fine University. Please accept my sincerest condolences. |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 01:35 PM by Patti Paulin |
| I met Richard Chenault while working in the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit. I worked with him doing Organ Donations in the Neuro-ICU,and worked very closely with him. He was a kind, caring, compassionate individual, who always had a smile on his face. He always knew what to say to the grieving families while trying to make a decision on whether families were interested in transplanting organs. I remember many times working late on Sunday evening and staying over on my shift to make sure I could help Richard take the Patient to the Operating Room for organ donation. Richard was always grateful and appreciative of all the assistance he received. Richard will be missed immensely and I feel honored that he was my friend and colleague.
Patti Paulin RN, Liver Management |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 01:08 PM by james staley |
| During the 17 years that I worked at the university of Michigan Health system I knew Richard and he was a wonderful and kind person.... Richard was one of a kind, a real kind person and always with a smile. I will sure miss him and all of his concern for others. James E. Staley |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 12:53 PM by Tanya Felder |
| Though I had not had the distinct pleasure of meeting Richard personally, I felt that I knew him all too well from many conversations with his sister Juanita (my friend). Never was there a prouder moment when she spoke of him. His passions, his wit, his drive and determination for life and his smile and sense of humor were all of the many things she prided herself in with being his sister. To the family, please understand that it sounds like Richard lived his life to the fullest. Find peace in knowing that God has allowed him to touch so many hearts and so many lives that his life has not gone in vain. Having your own personal angel/guardian is not only a privilege, but an Honor. To God Be the Glory. Tanya Felder |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 11:57 AM by Ray Naegle |
| Like many others, I have followed the sad reports of the recent tragic flight. I'm sure the whole Michigan campus is shocked and deeply affected by the loss of this valuable life-saving team. It's hard to understand how bad things happen to good people who are performing good deeds.
Perhaps more people will be motivated to join organ donor programs so future teams will not need to travel as much or as far to save lives. My condolences to the U of M community and those who lost family and friends. |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 11:40 AM by Sherry Hall |
| I have the honor & privilege of knowing Dennis Hoyes for several years through his love of aviation. Dennis had a way of bringing out the best in a person, believing in & encouraging them to achieve their highest potential. Dennis was doing what he always did & loved - giving of himself to help someone else without any expectations or reservation. Thank you Dennis.
To Vanyce & your family, I offer my deepest heartfelt sympathy for your loss & pray for God to carry & comfort you through these difficult times. Sherry |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 10:18 AM by Mark Lester, MD, FACS |
| The physicians, nurses, and administration of St. Mary's of Michigan in Saginaw express our condolences at this sorrowful time. We were all shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of the transplant team members from the University of Michigan, as they were performing their lifesaving work.
We can all recognize anew the awesome importance of their work of caring for the sick. Your team epitomizes the character, skills, and humanity of this calling. We share your sorrow. Please accept our respect and admiration for them and their work, and our condolences to you in this time of suffering. Mark Lester, MD, FACS, Chief Medical Officer, St. Mary's of Michigan, Saginaw, Michigan |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 09:54 AM by Jason Benson |
| Our deepest sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic event. Our hearts are broken.
Dr. David Ashburn was one of my daughter Josephine Rosie Benson's Doctors. He was with us when she passed after three weeks in NICU. She was born with HLHS a congenital heart defect. We developed a connection quickly and became friends over the three weeks we knew him. He made our day a little brighter each time we saw him. His wit and charm, he was everything a Doctor should be, caring, kind, compassionate. We talked of fly-fishing in northern Michigan, how we would go one day. I never made him the flies I promised. He gave me his home phone number just in case I needed to talk. This was the kind of person he was. Such a great man, a huge loss for all of us. Rest in peace brother. |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 09:30 AM by Mariano FECCIA |
| I am near to the deep family pain, the only message could be: think how many times the transplants give the hope for life for many patients |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 09:07 AM by John Brinkerhuff |
| Even though I had sent a previous note, I wanted to say I am a grateful Heart Transplant Recipient since July of 1991. While I was near death in the hospital at UofM, the donor was there already - we did not use the services of those who have to go out to get the organs. But I can still remember hearing the helicopter come and go as it was serving others.
When I had my life given back to me, I was so overwhelmed with appreciation and joy that I wanted to thank everyone and anyone who has any part of this miracle perforing team. I will for ever be remembering my life saving experience and all those who had any part in it. To the families of our loved ones who died in that crash, my wife and I share your grief personally because we lost our son at the age of 23 in a motorcycle accident. I tell you that to lend credibility to what I want to say to you. That is this: With time the pain will come back less often and with less severity, but no matter how long it is afterwards, at any moment something will be said or an event will happen and it will all come back with great sadness. This tragedy is an example of what I am speaking about and when I heard the news, my sadness for those we love was again very real. My hope is that you will be able to do as we have and that is remember the good times and let them make you feel like you still have your loved one near you. My favorite promise from my bible is in Phil. 1:21 and says: For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Most sincerely, John & Lorna Brinkerhuff, Heart Transplant # 174 |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 03:30 AM by Omar M Lattouf |
| My sincere condolences to the families of the transplant team and to the University of Michigan and its community.
Omar M Lattouf |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 03:30 AM by Francesco Seddio |
| I express my personal condolences to the families of our colleagues.
Francesco Seddio MD, Bergamo, ITALY |
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 at 12:46 AM by Dot and Corvin Morris |
| To the entire country: I have the privilege of being with one of Richard's Chenault's sister (Juanita Chenault) here in Tampa Florida. The fruit of his love/(Apple doesn't fall far from the tree) is being exemplified. I didn't have the oppportunity to meet him. Yet, his sister assures me. He is with the LORD. She reminds me not to question God, but to know Richard and his colleagues had more lives ..just in another dimension. I hope all readers/writers..this event draws us all closer to friends, loved ones and God. The UM Transport Team's Life was not in vain. God Bless us all...... |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 11:07 PM by Bruce Neumann |
| Dear University of Michigan Transplant Staff:
We would like to extend our condolences to the entire U-M Health Organization and especially to the Transplant team and pilots who lost their lives this week while helping others. I had a liver transplant at UW-Madison in June 1994 and as I look forward to celebrating the 13th anniversary of my "gift of life" I want you to know that the work of the transplant teams is so appreciated by us. These teams put in endless hours helping others and the recovery teams put their lives on the line traveling in adverse conditions to retrieve organs in order to save the lives of others. The night of my transplant there were severe thunderstorms that hampered the return flight and my surgery was delayed several hours until the weather finally broke enough to allow the recovery team to fly back to Madison. I think of that often and the unfortunate event this week made me realize just how much these real people put their lives on the line each day to help those of us in need. You are all in our prayers. Please know that your work is truly appreciated. Our prayers also go out to the donor family (true heroes as well). Sincerely,
|
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 08:31 PM by Sylva Portoian-SHUHAIBER |
| TO THE GIFTED TRANSPLANT TEAM PILOTS & FAMILIES
"Virtous Hands" of team
"Immortal Hands"
"Creative Hands"
Why God sometimes
Let us pray
Sylva Portoian-Shuhaiber MD |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 08:15 PM by Suzie Tierney |
| I am a double lung transplant recipient of March 2, 1999. The morning after the accident I was at the U for an appt not related to my transplant. While I was waiting for the Dr...my transplant coordinator, Cathy Walls showed up...she hunted me down to tell me about the accident in person because she didn't want me to hear about it on the TV. Even though I am numb with sadness I am so proud to be part of the U of MI family. The thoughtfulness of Cathy and my beloved Dr. Fernando Martinez go well over the top. U of MI has many heroes. God Bless all of them.
Suzie Tierney
|
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 06:51 PM by JOE MILLER MD |
| To Dr. Mark Orringer, members of the staff, residents of the Univ., and family members of those lost:
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you individually and collectively in this time of tragic loss. No words can express my sorrow or make it any easier for any of you or the Univ. of Mich. It is my firm belief that God looks after us and will take care of us. Each of you will be in my prayers. Yours in Christ:
|
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 05:04 PM by Norma J. Powell |
| My prayers go out to the entire University of Michigan Health System family. I cannot even imagine what you are going through...
Norma Powell |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:56 PM by Janie Waskerwitz |
| Dearest Michigan Transplant Family,
Life is precious but life is also fragile.
Let us rededicate ourselves to our noble cause of saving and improving the lives of others through transplantation in memory of our fallen heroes! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Have a safe journey! Love Always,
|
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:18 PM by Mary Pulte |
| My husband, James Pulte was a Blessed Recipient of a liver transplant 6/90. Thanks to Dr. Robert Merion, & Dr. Campbell, Harvester, Jim lived more than 16 productive years, witnessed the birth of 11 more Grandchildren, & retired to Florida! Our Gratitude to Libby Ford who Monitored Jim's progress with Compassionate Expertise, while 'Touching Base' with me with a Tender Heart! May this tragedy remind folks of the Need for Organs from all of us who believe that 'our loss has been Heavens Gain!' Respectfully, Mary Pulte |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:06 PM by Orchid Stewart |
| Something as simple as recognizing someone by their walk and their crisp white coat, realizing just how much you will miss that person. Having someone greet you with a smile at all times even though they may not feel like smiling. Knowing someone that could touch another family's heart in their darkest hour to help another family, this is what I will miss about my friend Richard Chenault. |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 11:32 AM by The Crouthamel Family |
| To the LaPensee family, and the Fire Department family of Ricky LaPensee, friends, coworkers, we are so sorry for your loss as well as our own. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. M. LaPensee-Crouthamel |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 11:02 AM by Athos Capuani |
| Dear friends and colleagues we would like to express and share the profound sadness in this time and to say that we are very close to the families. We experienced a very similar loss in the cardiac surgery community a few years ago in our country. How close are the spirit of Medicine, Life and Death! Athos Capuani, cardiac surgeon, Italy. |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 10:09 AM by Sheryl Strothers |
| It was with great sadness and shock that I learned of the loss of Richard Chenault and his colleagues. My prayers are with the families and friends of these true heroes. |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 09:38 AM by U of M Staff |
| "May God hold you in the palm of his hands."
God's Blessings to all in this time of great sorrow. |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 07:56 AM by Heather Packard, RN,BSN |
| I met Richard when I was working in the TICU. I cared for a patient who needed a heart transplant. He would visit and make everyone smile. Our relationship continued through the years as we saw each other in the hallway, we shared hellos and smiles. I began my passion for transplant because of that patient in TICU and Richard. I then went to Ped's Cardio Thoracic ICU and worked with the little heart patients. I again was following my passion for transplant and often cared for the heart transplant patients. I loved it. What better than a second chance, sometimes third chance, at life, right?! There came the time when it was time to leave that endeavor and I am now a Nurse Transplant Coordinator here at the U. My dream come true! I started to work with Richard Chenault, the transplant guru! How lucky! We became great friends. He was not only a friend but a spiritual advisor, a big brother that LOVED to tease us, a shoulder to cry on, the list goes on. He was so excited for me and my pregnancy. He was VERY excited that he guessed that it is a boy, especially because I thought it was a girl. He warned me that he had a good guessing record, and it turns out, he did. What a blessing he is. Rick and I also shared a friendship. His smile was great and he too loved to pick on us. He was very excited about the upcoming U of M Football season as he had just bought season tickets from my father-in-law. **sigh**. He was so much fun and very dedicated to his work. He and Richard were great friends. David Ashburn - I worked with him in the Ped's Cardio Thoracic ICU. The first question he asked his first day to our unit was "Do ya'll do any Turkey Huntin' round here?" He would continue to ask as the months went by. He took his job seriously but with a great attitude and disposition. He was tough but with a soft heart. What a good surgeon he was. His spirit was wonderful. He loved to talk about his kids. He will be missed. Dr Martin Spoor - I did not know him personally but worked along with him over in the adult cardiac world. What a nice man. Quiet and peaceful. He will be missed. What a tragedy this is. Will I ever learn to smile again? I am sure it will come, especially if Richard has anything to say about it! :-) God has them all, I know this for sure. True Heroes. As I continue my work that they all loved so much, this is how I honor these men and the two pilots who lost their lives as well. I will have to again send teams out to procure organs to save more lives, I will pray for them every single time and give them the courage and support they will need. My love and prayers to all of the families and those who loved these men. God Bless, please continue to pray.
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Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 06:46 AM by Joe Shaw |
| David was a member of our Realtree Hunting forums for several years and as such touched the lives of everyone that read his posts and sought simple advice or a good story from such a wonderful guy. To us he was Exturkinator and not Dr. Ashburn. He was a friend to everyone and never had a bad word to say to anyone. The world is truly worse off without him and all of our prayers go out to his family as well as the other 5 members of the flight team. We were truly blessed to have known him and exchange words on his true passions of his family and hunting. God Bless. |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 06:16 AM by Amit Chawla |
| I was a Visiting Instructor in Anesthesiology from 2003-05 and worked closely with the cardio-thoracic team. I had worked with Martin on a number of occasions. He was a wonderful person,
always very calm, polite and caring. I am greatly saddened by his loss.
I would like to convey my heartfelt condolence to his family and to the families of the other five members of the team. They gave their life for a very worthy cause and it will not be in vain. Amit Chawla, Consultant Anaesthetist, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 04:25 AM by Robin Keeney |
| On behalf of the Holden Neo-Natal Transport Team at Mott Children's Hospital I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the members of the Transplant Team and to our colleagues at Survival Flight. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this time of tragedy and sorrow. |
Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:57 AM by Cecile Phan |
| I was a medical student doing a summer research project in the same lab as Martin (Dr. Spoor) back in 1999-2000. He was not only a brilliant researcher, but also a wonderful person to be around. I still remember him looking all serious, peering over the top of his glasses, looking straight at me, and then said something so funny I'd double over in laughter. Martin loved Cardiac Surgery, but he also loved his family above all else. Martin and Susan just had their first daughter then, and he would come into the lab proudly showing her pictures with such pride in his voice.
Susan, my deepest condolences and prayers to you and the family during this time!! Please know that Martin has left an indelible impact on the people who had the fortune to know him, myself included. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 11:37 PM by Hunter Family |
| To the Survival Flight Staff and families;
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. God Bless All of You
|
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 10:38 PM by Leora Balsam, MD |
| I met David Ashburn during fellowship interviews a few years ago and he was clearly a talented individual. The news of the Survival Flight crash was heart-breaking and gives my own Stanford thoracic transplant team pause as we continue on with our mission to serve our patients. I'd like to send my most heart-felt condolences to the families of those that were lost. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 10:15 PM |
| To the families of the lost team members and to the team,
I am so incredibly sorry for your tragic loss. I have been doing heart transplantation at Loyola in Chicago since 1983 and have been on dozens of procurements. Many of those procurements have been scary. As is written, there is no greater gift than for one person to lay down their life for another. Surely, your team did just that. Each and every next transplant, I will remember and pray for your lost crew. Their lives were not in vain. God Bless all at U of M. Bryan Foy, MD, Surgical Director, Heart Transplantation |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 08:20 PM by Suzette Cooke MD |
| Martin Spoor was in the medical school class ahead of me and his wife Susan, in my class. It was so special to see their relationship develop and to see this beautiful couple marry and have 3 wonderful children. We had our 10 year medical school reunion last summer and Martin, Susan and the family came out to Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada to share in these special times. We will dearly miss Martin but I am confident that Susan will be the strongest of mothers and will forge ahead with courage and spirit "extraordinaire". We will try to honor and celebrate Martin's life ... by giving to others in the incredibly compassionate way he did. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 04:26 PM by Susan K |
| As a transplant recipient I feel like part of the survival flight family and felt tremendous loss upon hearing of the tradgedy. Even though I never met any of the victims my heart goes out to their family and friends. Just know that those of us who have benefited from their dedication truly appreciate what they did every day. The survival flight program saved my life and as trite as it sounds, "Thank You" and God Bless. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 02:51 PM by Kit Raymond |
| Richard Chenault's mother lived with my famly for a short time in 1990, so I got to know Richard through the eyes of a proud and loving mother. He was greatly loved by his family, and he returned that love back to them, magnified by his love for Jesus. He and his wife, as well as his mother, were at my birthday party. His love for others and his joy for life are evident in the snapshots I have of that evening. His life has made a great impact on many people, and people saw not only him, but Jesus as well. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 01:02 PM by Former University of Kentucky Air Medical Crew Member |
| My heart breaks for your program, the university, and especially the victims' families. As the eight year anniversary of my own program's fatal crash approaches, those feelings of grief have come flooding back with the news of your tragedy. You will all survive and continue to carry out your mission as six new angels watch over you! |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 12:39 PM by Windz Family |
| Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the brave souls who perished and with all those involved.
Blessed be, |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 09:06 AM by Sondra Bricker |
| To All the Survival Flight Crew, I was deeply saddened when I saw and heard of the crash on Monday. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Our family had the privlege to have had your services rendered to us on June 6th, 2004. Your flight crew was the best, and because of your selfless giving of time, efforts, and education, our Daughter - Jolene, is now alive and living a productive life. She recently graduated from U of M with honors and was asked to speak @ her commencement ceramony. We are so very proud of all her accomplishments, and we would not have been there to enjoy those accomplishments without your services. I say a prayer for all emergency crews whenever I hear a siren, or see the helicopter. You will always have a very special place in our hearts. Because of your generous giving of self, we still have our beautiful daughter. God Bless each and every one of you, and may He give you His Peace in this terrible time of loss. You are all 'Special Angels of Mercy'. Sondra Bricker, Fort Gratiot, Michigan. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 08:30 AM by Lauren Malinzak, MD |
| Hail! to the victors valiant.
I am saddened by your loss. An honorable, but immense loss. I will miss Martin's kindness and patience. I will miss Richard for his friendliness, ideas, stories and conversations. Live, love, learn and leave a legacy. My thoughts and prayers are for the U-M transplant team, the victims' families and friends, and their children. I hope as their children grow up, they are able to overcome the loss of their parent and give back to others and their communities, like their fathers did. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 07:36 AM by Nancy Taylor |
| This is for Bill Serra's family. I was so sorry to hear about this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. |
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 01:06 AM by U of M employee |
| David had such a loving heart for his friends and family. He had recently told me of how he and his wife decided it was time to turn the T.V off and spend more time with the kids, and how much he cherished this time!! I was so happy to hear that he had a relationship with Jesus and I find comfort in the fact that he is with his father in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with his family! |
Posted Friday, June 8, 2007 at 11:28 PM by Guy Hornig CRNA, MS |
| My father passed away in 2000 after surviving 13 years post OHT...13 years we (my family & friends) might have never experienced had it not been for the men and woman that made up his transplant team. In fact, it's what introduced me to the healthcare field. I hope the lives of these fine individuals and the deeds they performed will inspire others to follow in their foot steps. We ought to never take for granted the gift of life that donors bestow upon us and we ought to never take for granted the courage and determination of those blessed with the ability to pass on that gift. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the UM family. God Bless. |
Posted Friday, June 8, 2007 at 09:38 PM by Nkiru RN |
| My thoughts and prayers go out to these heroic men and their families, and may their souls rest in peace. |
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