A sad day

[painless]

I lost a good friend today.

Some of you who are current/ex radio control enthusiasts may be familiar with Balsa USA. Ron Busch, the founder and president, died today of cancer.

To meet Ron for the first time, you would think he was some homeless person who just crawled out from under a rock. He was rough and gruf on the outside, but the man had a heart of gold.

Just after I got my PPL, Ron purchased an Ercoupe, and insisted that I fly
it....at no expense to me. He wouldn't even let me pay for the gas.

I was fixing up a hangar at MNM and there was a spot where birds perpetually made a nest inside. We came into the hangar one day to find baby birds on the floor, as they had fallen out of their nest. I was ready to just put them outside, but Ron went out and got some worms at a bait shop and proceeded to feed them. He always had a soft spot for animals.

Ron restored two Piper Cubs and four Ercoupes. He was the type of guy who once he started a project, he could not put it down. Full bore until it was completed. When he would complete a restoration, he would always say that he was not going to do another. But then we would see another basket case in his hangar.

Over one's lifetime you come across individuals that leave a lasting impression on you. Ron fits the bill.

Rest in peace my friend.

[Spike]

[weezbad]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends family and loved ones.

cancer is a mean nasty unrelenting PITA.I am currently fighting some form of it as we speak. I imagine i'll have a plane for sale shortly.

Enjoy life ....it turns on a dime. two months ago i was building a plane, now im sitting in my recliner scheduling my next chemo treatment.

[painless]

Sorry to hear you are having to fight the fight Weese. Don't give up on that airplane yet. It will be there waiting for you once you are through with your treatment. Use it as one of your motivations to beat this thing.

You are so right....live life.

Keep us posted on how you are doing Weese. You have a bunch of guys here wishing the best for you.

[cjensen]

Keep us posted on how you are doing Weese. You have a bunch of guys here wishing the best for you.

You got that right Jeff!

[Dan A]

Hey Weez,

Know how you feel. I suffered the same thing just about 7 months after finishing my 8. Just keep on building and look for alternative treatments. They work better than chemo and radiation. Those things (c&r) don't work on my stuff so I'm left with little choice and the alternative medicines (herbs) seem to be working. Mainly it's a lot of prayer and trust in God's healing power. That really works!

Good luck and you are in my prayers,

Dan A

[Bob Barrett]

I'll keep you in my prayers! Keep us posted on your health Wheez! Hopefully you will soon be able to be back pounding rivets or finishing your airplane!

[aparchment]

Another RC world figure, Chris Chianelli, just died as well.

[dons]

Some sad news indeed, it seems to hit us harder when it is someone like that, I just went through that a few months back.

Don't give up on the plane Weez, we don't know everything about the big C, good things can and DO happen to a lot of people. The treatment is no fun for sure but get though it, and move on, good things CAN happen. Like in flying, attitude has a lot to do with it, a combined effort from the mind and body can do wonders.

[captain_john]

Jeff,

I am sorry to hear about your friend. Our thoughts and prayers to his family.

CJ

[painless]

Thanks CJ. On top of losing Ron, the very same morning one of the linemen at KMNM died while at work of a heart attack. He was a really good guy as well.

I have had better weeks.......

[weezbad]

jeff,

Sorry to hear about your friend and Chris.

i have stood in awe of both types many times.

"they now know what all our life we wondered." aut. unk.

[RV7Factory]

Sorry to hear about your friend Jeff.

Weez... best wishes!