Godspeed Ted
It is so hard to find words to properly describe Ted, particularly from the sense of loss that we all feel. The memories are flowing out. Our airplanes were side-by-side in the shop, and Ted worked so steadily, with all the details worked out, that he left me in the dust. The dust created while he sanded the fillet at the base of the windshield, using a coffee can wrapped with sandpaper. We did the weight and balance and were preparing for the first flight, but somehow his propeller disappeared. He surprised us all the morning of the first flight with his propeller freshly painted to match the colors of his paint scheme. I did the first flight on N16TG, quickly turning the airplane over to Ted and he never looked back.
As avionics rapidly changed, Ted was always trying something new. We tried hard to catch up to him, but never did. We called him the "Gadget Guy". I think he upgraded his panel 4 or 5 times, maybe more. Ted saw the need for a DAR in Michigan and nearby states and did the hard work to fill that need. He inspected my RV-8 prior to first flight, and he inspected countless others of all types, whether it be an RV-10, Carbon Cub, or Zenith 750 STOL. His work as a DAR was exceptional. He forwarded all the paperwork in advance and it was meticulously prepared. Inspections were very professional and he had a great set of eyes for things that needed attention. He politely gave us a 40 hour Phase I, and knew the reasons why. If you ever, and I mean ever, had a question about operating limitations or how to document this or that, Ted knew the answer.
He was an avid balloonist, along with many of his family members. They had recently returned from the Balloon Fest at Albuquerque, and as always Ted was the spark that kept everyone moving and on their game. As mentioned earlier, he had constructed more than one wooden boat. His craftsmanship was superb and his boats won many awards. Ted could do anything he set his mind to, and he was truly a man in motion.
Ted always had a friendly smile, and he always found time for his friends. It is really hard to understand why Ted left us today, but I find solace that a Higher Power decided that Ted had finished enough projects here, and was needed upstairs. When you look at the stars tonight, one will be noticeably brighter than the others. Just imagine that it's Ted working late on some new project. RIP Ted. We will never forget your kindness and there will always be a spot in our hearts for you.