It is only now that I have learned of Doug's passing. I am stunned to say the least. Back in 1978-I bought my first airplane from Doug. A 72 Viking N8217R (that still lives at Santa Paula after all these years). Doug treated me as not only a customer but a friend. He always had a warm greeting and time to chat with me. As I coincidentely found myself in the aircraft sales business- it was his style and class that was inspiration on how to conduct my own affairs. The aviation world has lost a real gem of a guy in Doug

Several months have gone by since Doug's passing and it still doesn't seem real. I've been wanting to add my thoughts here for a while, and every time I have started, it's just too hard to put into words. I could write pages on all the great stories I could tell about Doug (as anyone here probably could as well). He and Gail opened their home to us so many times and made my wife and I feel so welcome. I still remember last Labor Day him coming back from the races and showing us all the great pictures he took with his hot passes he got from Bill Elliott. I still open those up every once a while, and look at them just to remember.

It wasn't Xmas if Doug wasn't there with his video camera or still camera taking shots of the family. Or having us in tears from something he pulled during the gift stealing game. I can still hear that big laugh now.

Doug was one of the most positive people I knew, and I strive to be like him, and handle things the way he did. I admire the way he was upbeat 100% of the time no matter the situation.

He went out of his way to welcome my wife into our family. I was in tears only once during my wedding, and it was from the words Doug had pulled me aside to tell me. I will never forget what he said as long as I live, it was very special.

Doug, we miss you terribly, and the only thing that comforts us is that we know you are in a better place. My prayers go out to Gail, Anne, and Erik, as they have lost a wonderful husband and father.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

I think Pike Explained Doug the best when he said "every time you saw him he greeted you with a, hey how ya doin." I dont think a time went bye in the two years of being at the Dullenkopf household almost every night were I didnt get greeted with a "hey how ya doin Kory." He made me feel so welcome everytime I was around him. I dont think I ever heard a negative word come out of his mouth. He was always so caring and posative about all situations. Doug and Gail made some of my most memorable experiences possible, like our trip to Coasta Rica together, and many other little trips that went a far way in my life. One things that stands out in my mind was in Coasta Rica driving our rent a car, the only music we listened to the whole trip was punk, how cool is a dad that lets his kids rock out to punk music for hours strait without saying a word about it. Also in coasta Rica when Doug was coming down the stairs to take a picture of me jumping off the balcony and slipped and fell down about 12 tile stairs, after the pain of that passed the first thing he said was I got to get that picture. He had some determination. Spending all that time around the Dullenkopf household I dont think I ever heard a bad negative word come out of his mouth towards the kids or Gail, he loved them so much. I will miss him with all of my heart, but I know those memories will keep him alive in my life Erik, Anne, and Gails life forever. I thank him for making my life better, making me feel comftorable in his home, and all of the other memorable moments I was fortunate to share with him.

Gail, Anne & Erik,
I know words can't replace what you have lost, but hopefully by sharing a couple of thoughts I can show you that Doug left an impression on me. I'm very very sorry you had to lose him. His smile filled the kitchen every time I came over to your home, and gave the biggest welcome of anyone I have ever known. I will never forget when he flew Erik, Andrew and I up to Snow Summit, making us feel like pro snowboarders for an entire day. Doug went through great lengths in set up, took many wonderful pictures, and saw to it we had a blast. I'm not going out on a limb to assume that Erik and Andrew feel the same.
It's unfair he passed so early in all of our lives, with so many things left to experience together. Doug was an aspiring, vibrant, and passionate man, and I am lucky to have known him. My thoughts are with each of you, and my family sends their best as well.
I just don't have the words... I'm sorry this had to happen, you all got to spend time with a good man, and thanks for letting me do the same.

Best, Travis Widder

i love you daddy.

Even now, nearly two months since Doug's passing, it is still hard to believe that this day even happened. I have been wanting to post comments since I heard, but I just couldn't put into words what I wanted to say. I still can't quite get a grip around the fact that such a great life was taken from us so early. Back in February of '05, Doug's niece Katie (my fiancee) and I, were priveledged to join the Dullenkopf's and Gepford's for a small "family reunion" in NYC. What a great time! Everyone had such a wonderful visit, but of all us who were there, it was Doug who seemed to have the most fun. While taking pictures or even walking around on the frigid streets, I continually noticed Doug's joy. His passion and joy for life was to truly live and appreciate it to the utmost extent possible. His joy continued for his family as well. I remember him speaking about them at dinner one night and every word was underscored by the love and pride he had for them. Doug's attitude was, and continues to be, contagious. Doug's approach to life was unique in this aspect and I will take his example with me on my own journey through life. Although, my time knowing Doug was regrettably too short, his memory and persona live on and continue to impact the people he knew. We all miss him dearly and cling to the wonderful memories we have of him.

Thank you Doug, for all you were and continue to be. Fly high for us all, until we meet again. Here, Here...

Betty (Gail’s sister):

I am truly thankful to Gail for bringing Doug into our family and our lives. His wonderful enthusiasm and caring for life, family, and friends was boundless. When I think of Doug, I also think of PRIDE. He had a way of bringing out the best in people. I saw Doug bring pride to people who had never felt pride before. And, then there was Doug’s effervescent humor that just bubbled out. If there was fun to be had, Doug would find it or made it.
We didn’t have Doug in our lives as long as we would have liked. However, Doug gave us the best while he was here. Doug left us with so many special memories, and (you know Doug) he also left us with PICTURES OF MANY OF THEM.

I found this on the internet while doing a Doug Dullenkopf search. It is another example of Doug's thoughfulness.

I'll share a nice story though about a book! Santa arrives early sometimes
too.
I've been searching for the book "Aeroncas, Citabrias and Decathalans" for
years. Last year I mentioned it to my friends out in Santa Paula (at
Screaming Eagle). They put me in touch with the late author's wife (Julia
Downie) who tried to locate a copy for me too without luck. None to be had
anywhere and I tried all the rare book stores, etc.. Last week a small box
arrived -- when I opened it I found to my amazement, a signed personal copy
given to the owner of Screaming Eagle, Doug Dullenkopf, by the author himself
many years ago. I was totally surprised and truly grateful for Doug's act of
thoughtfulness. Many of us on this list know the nice folks at the Santa
Paula airport and here's another proof of their niceness.

Hopefully, someday I'll be able to do the same for another book searching
soul. That's why a few years ago I bought up several copies of the
original 'Broomstick Flying" by Rob Mixon and gave these away to several list
members last year. I've only received good feedback on the content of Rob's
book. Maybe Livingston's book is truly worth 150$ as a collectible, however
that's a price not reachable by all and I feel books should be easily
available to everyone who has the zest for learning.

Safe skies to everyone,
Suzie and Nancie

I'm so glad that my wife and I attended the memorial service for Doug at the Santa Paula Airport. What a beautiful tribute. Watching the hundreds of people paying their respects and listening to their stories about Doug...reinforced what I already knew since the 4th grade. Doug represented the definition of what friendship stood for and I will never forget that nor will I ever forget him. Good-bye my friend of 48 years.