Death by 1000 Papercuts-comments
Thank you so much for the article. We lost a good one, didn't we?
Eddie:
Indeed.
The headline says it all, I think.
Although I didn't know him personally, I don't think it was necessary; I think his achievements speak for themselves.
A full life.
R.I.P.
Thanx, Turk, for all he workup on Bill. It is fabulous and we were so awed by it all. You, my friend, are a great guy. Love ya, Dottie
Thanks, Turk for the kind words and memories of Bill. As his Brother-In-Law, I have many fond memories of Bill and his love of flying. My older brother, Bob, and myself was fortunate to "hang out" with bill as teenagers in the early 1950's. When Bill was in between naval assignments he and Dottie lived in Arvada. He was in the naval reserve at that time. Bill would take us along to the Federal Heights Airport where he and another fellow had several airplanes. As Bill was teaching Bob and me how to drive his 1941 Ford sedan on the way to the airport, he would sit in the passenger's seat as we drove through the country with his shotgun out the window and shoot at phesants and rabbits. We would help him to ready his "sound" mono wing Aroncia plane with recorder and amplifier. He would fly all over the Denver area advertising for the compass drive-in theaters. We helped him build an 8' tall banner, about 30' long, he made out of bamboo poles and cloth ribbons that read "come to the drive-in theaters". He towed the banner with a powerful bi-plane. Our job was to hold the banner upright and run as fast as we could while he taxied the plane to get enough air speed to lift the banner off. When he returned to the airport he would make a low pass over the runway & release the banner so we could make repairs & roll it up for the next flight. He used that plane for several air shows in small rural towns. He had some guy who was billed as a wing walker. They actually fixed his shoes to the upper wing and he held on to a wire attached to the forward wing. He also did some crop dusting with that plane. He would land in a farmers field and taxi up to the house to solicit his busines to spray his crops. Bob & I would take turns going with Bill, since the plane was only a 2 seater, as "flaggers" on the ground to mark where he had sprayed. What a dirty job! He also used that plane to tow gliders & would cut them loose when at proper altitude. I would help Bill on weekends taking up rides for 10-15 minutes in his 2 seater Aronica from his dad's property on Morrison road at the "curve". He could only take one passenger at a time and flew between high tension wires to take off. Wow! My other brother, Orville, Bob and me would go skiing at loveland pass or arapahoe basin. Bill would tell us to be on the highest mountain at noon and sure enough here came Bill in his navy trainer and would buzz us and go off wiggling his wings. There were 2 other planes he had access to at the airport. A P-38 and a twin engine cessna. Bill took me up in both of those planes; short rides since they "took so much av-gas". How great that was. In the eqrly 70's my familly & I lived briefly in San Diego. When visiting Bill & Dottie, he would insist that we fly for breakfast to Flo's restaurant for biscuits & gravy, Bill's favorite! What special times we had with Bill Blackwood growing up, having fun and learning to be good adults.
Bill so
Mr. Bill Blackwood was an American hero and a talented inventor who didn't sit back and feel sorry for himself after he became disabled. He was an inspiration to everyone, expecially to the pilots who were able to fly again using hand-controls.
I was inspired by his life story, although I haven't met Mr. Blackwood personally, Michael and Darlene Spry have spoken highly of him and now I can understand why.
As Micheals soon-to-be- mother-in-law
may we offer condolences to the family and may Bill's memories bring peace and comfort to you all.
Thank you all for your comments and additions to this little tribute. I thought it was the least I could do for a man who was, in my eyes, a hero to so many. Although I didn't know Bill that well, the two times I met him he made an indelible impression on me. He was indeed a remarkable man, one anyone would be proud to say they knew and I AM proud that I have the opportunity to say I knew him. His is truly an inspirational story, one that will surely go down in history as an example of what we should all strive for, courage and strength in the face of adversity.
To Jim and Dot and the rest of Bills family:
I know that this is a difficult time for you but God will guide you through it as He always does.
God bless you all and thank you for giving me this opportunity.
RAPH
A huge AMEN to all the tributes to one who has made such an impact on humanity. My first insight as to the magnitude of the man, came in 1977 when he invited me to accompany him on a cross country flight to Houston. He had been invited to the inauguration of one of his previous fighter pilot students, to the top position of the Shriners organization. I was in the middle of my flight instruction from Bill, and he felt that a real-life cross country planning and flight to be superior to usual and customary training. The honor and respect shown Bill by the elite of Houston, including the Chief Pilot for the fleet of aircraft of Chrysler Corporation, was impressive. It became very clear to me, over the years, just how warrented was this respect. I have gone over my log books, and realize I have had the privilege of sharing the cockpit with Bill for over 300 hours, over the past 30 years. There was never a flight in which I was not taught lessons in life along with the little secrets of flying, known only by seasoned military pilots. The experiences of 20 years plus, in partnership with N55313 and Bill, have shaped my life in so many ways. From time management, to an understanding of the unique characteristics of life in a wheel chair, (not taught in Medical School) to communication skills in dealing with conflict, the list goes on. I have watched Bill time and again meet adversity head-on, and never complain. Just analys the situation accurately, make the appropriate adjustments, and move on. Through heart attack, (he used to love to tease me about the long scar I left on his leg from the vein harvest for his cardiac bypass proceedure), renal failure, hip fracture and severe stroke, he always found a way to bounce back. As is the future for all of us, Bill has found the end of his fantastic journey. How greatful are those of us to whom Dottie and the girls have so unselfishly shared his life. Enjoy the rest you so deserve my mentor and friend. Know that your legacy will live on in the lessons you have taught us. Gordon
I first met Bill during primary flight training at NAS Norman, OK. He was a tad older and much more experienced than most of us. We became a group of good friends and buddies that flew and funned together that was only broken up by finally receiving those coveted wings of gold. Bill (sometimes known as "Pop") was a free spirit and inspiration to all. He even dropped in one day at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii to say hello to me - actually due to an "oil" leak problem with his F8. His takeoff after proper checks was spectacular, for my benefit I'm sure.
What a lovely guy. Someday he and I will fly those tight formations again in those endless skys.
What wonderful memories we all have of Bill, and it has been such fun reading everybody's comments! As a kid growing up, I always hung around Bill, hoping for a chance to get to fly with him. He used to take a roll of toilet paper up, throw it out the window, and then see how many pieces he could cut it into.
Thank you Dottie, Le Ayn & Jordy, Tyra & Taryn & Jo Lyn for everything you did for him. We love you all.
Hope you are flying on eagle's wings, big brother!
Sandy
We love you, cousin Bill. You were so handsome, you looked like my Dad, Curley Schlupp. You lived such an exciting and brave life, to the end.
We will miss you and always hold you close in our memories forever and ever.
We will all meet in Heaven someday and have a great big Schlupp family reunion.
Our love to you, Dottie, and family.
Maril and Tom
As one of the early users of the Blackwood hand control (Serial #11), I will forever be indebted to Bill for opening up a whole new world that I could only dream about following polio at the age of 14.
Learning to fly and being associated with the wheelchair pilot group led to some memorable flight destinations and long lasting friendships. I don't think Bill ever let three of us wheelchair pilots from Northern CA ever live down our first meeting with him and and his cohorts from the old Southern CA Wheelchair Aviators at a lunch fly-in to Porterville. Not owning an airplane at the time, we rented a Cherokee 180 and brought one wheelchair. Upon landing, one person went into the restaurant, transferred to a regular seat and sent the wheelchair out for the next person. We heard about that escapade for years to come, but that was the start of a friendship that would endure to the end.
We have all lost a mentor, a good friend and a great American. Dottie and family, Bill may have slipped the surly bonds of earth, but there is no question in my mind that he is soaring with the angels. And quite possibly doing a little dog fighting with Ed, Lee and Bud.
Esondido has lost one of its finest citizens, America has lost a truly great Patriot.
Bill would tell us all, ". . . .Forget the mistakes of the past, and press on to the greater achievements of the future. . . ."
We are relatives of Sandy's husband, John, and we were pleased to have known Bill. We were so impressed with his abilities to make his challenge into a campaign that helped pilots internationally. what a guy! we will all miss him and want to thank the close family members/friends who provided assistance to Bill when it was needed!
We send our love to everyone...friends and family!
I flew with Bill many times in the Stearman trainer. One flight involved landing and taking-off in a cow pasture to go fishing. A cinch for Bill, an adventure for me. After his injury Bill figured out how to independently continue flying by developing a portable flight hand-control, getting FAA certification, and opening the door to many other handicapped flyers. It created an avocation for Bill as a flight instructor and pleasure pilot. He did cross country flights landing nightly at airports along the way. Group flights with other handicapped pilots to Mexico were taken. Bill worked out daily by going up and down Rising Hill Way in his hand operated wheel chair, often with a young hitch hiker on the back. As chacteristic of Bill, he made the call to ground himself when he felt it was time. He later found the internet and set up a unique net exchange between old and new friends It was popular for exchanging friendly insults between each other. There was competion for the best name of "tricky" photos Bill would submit, usually weekly. Rising Hill Bill would dispense some Bill Philosophy occasionally. Bill chose to move from hospitalization to home where he could continue his independent life style and receive the devoted care- giving of Dottie and family members.
Bill set the bar high for others-an exceptional person.
Commenting by HaloScan
