Mike was a good friend of mine and we had wonderful parties in the Shape woods with all the Shape gang. In the summer of 1964 we left on a trip to Spain, around France, Italy and La Swisse, staying at youth hostels. I think we spent $200 each for a month and a half. He on a La Strada 49cc and i on a 150cc Vespa ( I carried the case of beer departing Paris). we stayed in touch and in the 70's he had testitcular(sic?) cancer and finally took his life near the end. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and 're-upped' once or twice to continue to fly. He was shot down twice but managed to land safely. Such is life.
Out of respect and in my big brother's memory, I am correcting the supposed "official record" of "Doc's" death, posted by Linda O'bert Kidd in 2015. "Doc" served 2 tours as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam (1967, and 1970). Exposure to cancer-causing agents during his time in Vietnam probably played a role in his getting cancer, and when he was diagnosed, he had to take leave on disability from the flying job he loved with the VA Air Nat'l Guard, where he served as a helicopter pilot after his 2nd tour in Vietnam. He died in mid-March of 1976 after a long struggle with cancer...NOT in an automobile accident as reported in the article posted by Linda O'bert Kidd. I miss you and love you, Doc...for your selfless caring for others and for the quiet love you gave every day of your too-short life.
Tom O'Keefe (1964)
Mike was a good friend of mine and we had wonderful parties in the Shape woods with all the Shape gang. In the summer of 1964 we left on a trip to Spain, around France, Italy and La Swisse, staying at youth hostels. I think we spent $200 each for a month and a half. He on a La Strada 49cc and i on a 150cc Vespa ( I carried the case of beer departing Paris). we stayed in touch and in the 70's he had testitcular(sic?) cancer and finally took his life near the end. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and 're-upped' once or twice to continue to fly. He was shot down twice but managed to land safely. Such is life.
Dawnelle McCuskey (Krouse) (1965)
I miss you every day, Doc, and your memory still brings a smile and happiness to my life. DawnellePennie Pinson (Buckelew) (1964)
I just remember him as a great guy who was always kind to me. Pennie Pinson (Buckelew) '64
Dawnelle McCuskey (Krouse) (1965)
Out of respect and in my big brother's memory, I am correcting the supposed "official record" of "Doc's" death, posted by Linda O'bert Kidd in 2015. "Doc" served 2 tours as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam (1967, and 1970). Exposure to cancer-causing agents during his time in Vietnam probably played a role in his getting cancer, and when he was diagnosed, he had to take leave on disability from the flying job he loved with the VA Air Nat'l Guard, where he served as a helicopter pilot after his 2nd tour in Vietnam. He died in mid-March of 1976 after a long struggle with cancer...NOT in an automobile accident as reported in the article posted by Linda O'bert Kidd. I miss you and love you, Doc...for your selfless caring for others and for the quiet love you gave every day of your too-short life.