TALES OF A WAYWARD AVIATOR

treefrog · Post by **treefrog** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:18 pm

You don't have to tell us.

What everyone else saw was a head like a bull mastif, humungous hogans, three pickhandles across the backside and bad breath.

What the Duke saw was humungous hogans and some other stuff.

We can discuss this on Sunday as I will definitely be at the weenie roast.

Treefrog

Sawmill Broad · Post by **Sawmill Broad** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:06 pm

Seems I have been upgraded from Sawmill Broad to:
Secretary to the Duke!

He tells me I should be honoured.

I am.

For everyone's information, he had taken a turn for the worse and has been in hospital since Friday evening (July16) in considerable pain. Our medical system sucks but perseverence prevails and the good news is that his CT today showed that there is a surgery that can be done to eleviate this. This will happen tomorrow evening so everyone out there should send positive energy his way.

The great 'piss-up'(celebration of his life) will go on this Sunday at the airport in Chilliwack and he will be there either on gurney or else!
That's what he says and I believe it!

He asked me to post this for note for him.

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:02 am

Hang in there Duke! You've got an appointment to keep on the 25th. Back east we used to have Christmas in July parties on the 25th. Were all pulling for you. Merry Christmas old pal.

W5 · Post by W5 » Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:05 pm

Best wishes Duke!

Sawmill Broad · Post by **Sawmill Broad** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:57 pm

Hi Everyone,

Just got the word - the surgery was successful but he will be critical for the next 5 days. He is doing well!
The doc did say he would be at the soiree on Sunday so here's hoping...

Because if he isn't, I fear a very crowded hospital room on that day!

I know he will love to hear from you so if you have any comments I will be taking them to the hosp. for him.

Thanks for the good wishes! I will keep you posted.

Mitch Cronin · Post by **Mitch Cronin** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 7:13 am

Please tell the Duke his MEL extension has been approved indefinitely. His airframe's time expiry has now gone "on condition", and the CDL will be rewritten for whatever his ailments may be...

And if all of that is to no avail.... please remind him that he's meant more to many of us - even in the short time so many of us have "known" him - than the Curtis Jenny, The Tiger Moth, The Boeing Stearman, the DC3, the 707, and the 747 combined....
In other words: Old airframes may always wind up in the desert, but the folks who flew in them will never forget.

Godspeed Mr Duke Elegant.... I wish I could have met you in person.

Mitch Cronin · Post by **Mitch Cronin** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:22 am

Further to that.... I have to apologise for not being able to say any of the right things... Truth is, none of us can say anything right because mere words on a forum can't possibly convey the enormity of the emotion, nor the sincerity of the wishes, nor the severity of the impact The Duke has had on many of us since he began telling his tales of daring do on these pages.

I don't mean to falsely canonize the guy, but I do mean to make it known that his contributions here alone have made such an impact that I know he'll not be forgotten by myself, and I highly suspect the same is true for many of us... God I wish the right words could come out of this damned keyboard!

It's that conundrum that I believe has prevented a thousand responses here.... I KNOW there are many others here just as tongue-tied as myself.... Damn I wish I could be there this Sunday....

treefrog · Post by **treefrog** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:33 pm

Griffon,

Duke's going to die, you're going to die and I'm going to die. The probable difference is Duke has had lots of warning and has been able to take stock, look back on his life and, importantly, write down much of what has had meaning for him and many others.

I suppose it is a double-edged sword knowing the time you will die, as most of us could live to 200 and still be left with things we want to do. In Dukes case he is just looking over the fence at 60 but what complete 60 years!!

Those who love him or know him or have just read or heard his stories might feel he is being taken while he has so much more to offer but it is unreasonable to expect too much. Duke has given more love, pain, advice, entertainment, frustration, insubordination and adventure than any two other people I know. Even his most ardent enemies - yes, like all of us, he does have one or fifteen of them- have a grudging admiration for this "rough diamond".

From the time nearly 40 years ago when I lay in the mud and rain beside him on an Army exercise I have been warmed and encouraged by his limitless enthusiasm, optimism and endless (often inappropriate) humour. He has been annoying, embarrassing, unreliable and noisy but even when he is doing those things people still look upon the incident with humour and normally the highlight of a dull day.

Our paths have crossed only occasionally over the last 4 decades and when we do meet it is as if we parted yesterday. Reports of his adventures have arrived regularly to create mirth in some crewroom or bar - often embellished with the telling.

I am not sad Duke is going, it is his time. He has drunk fully from the cup of life and taken a big gulp out of some other poor bastard's cup as well.

When I go, I will look back on all the things I have done and in that list will be "I knew Duke Elegant".

Treefrog

in with it · Post by **in with it** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:08 pm

Mitch Cronin · Post by **Mitch Cronin** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:49 pm

Treefrog... Right on.

Life gives us a 100% failure rate. Everybody dies. Those who go leave the missing to those who survive them, and from my very brief knowledge of Duke Elegant, I'm gonna miss him. The bastard!

You may have a lifetime of memories... but I'm left feeling the same way I did when, very shortly after discovering the magic that came from the creative genious of Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitar work, he died... (To get a hint of what I mean.... find a copy of "Little Wing" by Stevie Ray (it's a Hendrix tune, but Stevie Ray does it way proud!) and if it brings a tear to your eye, you'll be there.)

I'm certainly richer for having Stevie Ray's recordings to listen to, but I can't help wishing he could have hung around to enrichen us all some more... same with the Duke. His stories have made me wish I'd known him... and left me wanting more... pretty selfish, ain't it?

Anyway, selfishness aside, I reckon it's not easy to see your own end coming, and I feel for the guy... and those who love him. I'm sure it's about the hardest lesson life has to teach us. ...And I wish him, and all his loved one's well.

I can't be in Chilliwack on Sunday, even if I was invited, but I'll have a drink for him - and a toast to him, just the same.

Forgive me if that all sounds incredibly cornball, I assure you I'm as real as I can be... and there's something about a man that's willing to share hisself with the world to the degree he's done here that strikes a chord with me.

W5 · Post by W5 » Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:02 pm

Hey Mitch, for a wrenchbender you sure have a way with words. Thanks for expressing what a lot of us feel; and I'll join you in this drink at home.

remember: Life is a sexually transmitted disease with no cure.

Lost in Saigon · Post by **Lost in Saigon** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:38 pm

Here is a photo I took of Duke and Turbo relaxing on the wing of an A-26. (Tanker 14)
Fort McMurray, Alberta 1986

Mike Sowsun

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 5:28 am

Griffon and Treefrog. Very well expressed thoughts. Thanks.

Hang tough Duke.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 7:56 am

I unfortunately will not be at the party as I am in Amsterdam again, however my thoughts will be with the Duke and if nothing else we had a few hours to talk in his sail boat a while ago.

The duke and I are very different in some of our traits, however I have always been very fond of him because he is not only different but a great airplane driver.

I only hope I have the guts he has when my time is up.

Cat

treefrog · Post by **treefrog** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:33 pm

Griffon,

I am absolutely certain you are invited to Chilliwack on Sunday. Everybody who has been touched by Duke's life or just seen him passing in the street should be there.

This is not so much a celebration of Duke's life but, from what I can see, is the Duke Elegant World Aviation Bullshit Championships sponsored by Duke himself. Whether he is jogging around the field, brought in on a gurney, still in hospital or embalmed and laying on the tool bench he will still be at the hangar in person or spirit and the show must, and will, go on.

If anyone is like Griffon and thinks an invite is required I am sure the Duke would insist upon your presence - it only takes 5 minutes to run to the liquor store for more beer! You too have a chance at the gold medal for your "There I was..." story so come and give the master a chance at defending his crown for one last time.

Treefrog

Sawmill Broad · Post by **Sawmill Broad** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 5:23 pm

Treefrog

You are absolutely right! Everyone is welcome on Sunday, for sure! Duke's orders!

By the by, he is recovering quite well. Even had some colour in his cheeks this morning. Very much looking forward to the event and will be holding court as promised.

Also, the nearest pub/beer & wine store is a short walk from the hangar. The weather promises a sultry (?) 38 degrees! So bring ice.

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 8:37 am

I was thinking of you this morning Duke after a social get together with a couple of aviation brethren last night. Were all pulling for you. I'm looking forward to a recap here of the festivities.

Cheers, mate.

lilfssister · Post by **lilfssister** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 4:30 pm

Sis and company hoisting a few cold ones in the Duke's honour...wish we could be at the real thing!

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:37 pm

I'm drinking one right now for the Duke. Cheers mate! The idea of a pre-funeral piss up is a great one. I hope to have one someday, but not too soon.

-istp

FSS · Post by **FSS** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 2:13 pm

Sawmill Broad, anyone sobered up enough to tell us how the shin dig went last night for those of us who couldn't make it?? Did a few in his honor anyway.

TALES OF A WAYWARD AVIATOR

Update on the Duke