I want to reprint this from the ifish board to my friends here too:

Since I feel a kinship here I want to share my loss and pain tonight. I have lost my older brother Gary Hanson today. He crash landed his small plane in northern Nevada today and he died instantly. His Hillsboro friend Machael Johnson also died instanly in this tradgic crash. I am so devastated and shocked I am having a hard time looking at these words. Gary is my older brother and I love him. We have never been far apart my whole life. Many of us have lost a parent or two by now - I lost my mother to cancer a few years ago and still miss her very much - but when you lose a close loved one way too early in life the devastation is beyond what I can descirbe right now. He is survived by wife Susan and his 2 daughters, my neices Krista and Megan. Please pray for him and Michael and our families tonight. ...

They flew out of Hillsboro earlier today with 3 other small planes going to a small plane rally event at a Nevada airport. It was apparently erratic winds that caused a nose dive into the front end of the runway during landing. You almost it made Gary. And you died doing what you loved to do. I love you. ... He had been giving me flying lessons, and I was going to go on from there to take certified lessons and get my pilots license. I don't think I will put my family through that now. And I have no wind in my sails right now and for some time. ...

Please, go call your brother and sister right now and have a nice talk - and appreciate them. Gary and I talked and did things together often, and I am thankful for that. Right now I can't remember what we talked about the other day - I am in shock. Thanks for listening and sharing. - Steve ...

Note to Ryan (Ramstrong): If you have left for the coast already tonight I hope somebody can alert you that I won't be meeting you at the Hammond dock in the morning. Talk with you later.

RT: I'm so sorry. I don't know you at all but I still feel the need to say something. I lost my son a few years back so I know how devastating something like this can be. I don't expect any kind of a response so don't sweat it, just know that we all feel for you and that will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

RT,

My sympathies are with you and your family tonight. It always bums me out when a pilot is killed doing what they love. Spend some time with your family now, and talk about your memories of your brother, it will help all of you get through your grief.

Dan

Just want you to know that I'm here for you buddy. Take care and treasure your memories! So many times we take for granted that our loved ones are always going to be there and then tradegy takes them away. I still grieve over my father that died almost 30 years ago. You think of all the things you wish you could have said to to the person who passed away and since I have two brothers I think I will try to tell them my feelings about them. Call if you need anything Steve.
Take care,
Stew

All of OUR thoughts are with you and your family...

Think about the good times and do what you can to

Remember what you already stated: he died doing what he loved.

My thoughts are with you and your family, Steve.

-David

RT,

It wasn't long ago that I lost my grandfather, and I know how it feels. My grandfather and I were very, very close. But I'll always remember him telling me to do what I love, and that's fishing.
My prayers are with you and your family tonight and forever, and focus on the good times you had with your brother, it really helps. We'll get you out on the river down the road and have you back out doing what you love!
Take care, we're all here for you!
Keith

Sorry for your loss RT. My neighbor is still grieving over the loss of his friend, Mike Warren, in an air accident a couple of weeks ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

RT, I was saddened to hear of your tragic loss, today. The love you had for your brother is obvious in your post. No doubt, it was obvious to him during his lifetime. Out of that brotherly love will come the strength you need to help his family and yours through the difficult days ahead. Today, our words are powerless in the face of your pain. In time, I hope you'll find comfort in them.

Steve, I replied on ifish but I'll say it again. I feel your pain. Best thing to do is deal with your grief in a way that best suits you. Once you can get that out of your system it will help you to move on.

If you need anything, I'm here for you.

Jerry

I'm sure that all of us on this board would like to send you our deepest regards. We feel your pain.....I know how close I am to my brothers. Take care, and keep reminding yourself that he was doing what he loved the best.

Hey Bud,

Though I do not know you I too feel your pain and just wanted to lend a fellow fisherman a hand in his healing....Just know that he is in a better place and among the fish gods, and to keep stepping forward....
fish on brother!

I posted this on ifsih also but want to say again. So sorry to hear of your loss my condolences and sympathy to you and you
family and your brothers family as well.I haven't lost my brother but have lost close loved ones and it will hurt for awhile. Remeber the good times and let yourself feel the pain and it will get better. It is never easy and you have a wealth of
friends here who are here if you need them. Take it easy and were here for you.
Marty

Thanks to all of you nice people for your comforting comments! My family and I have been over at my Dad's house all evening with my 2 brother's families. We have begun the healing together. As with all of us, life goes on and we will be happy; and always carry the sprit of our loves ones deep within. Take care. - Steve

RT I'm real sorry to hear about your loss. In times like this, I don't know just what to say, but hang in there things will get better with time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I don't know you but wish you best during this terrible time in your life. I hope you find comfort in knowing your brother will live in your heart. Take care of yourself and your family.

Steve,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.Our prayers are with you and your lovedones.

Steve,
Sorry to hear about the lost of your brother. I am sending you an email that says a little more about your lost.

Cowlitzfisherman

RT-

My deepest sympathies to you, my friend.
Know that you have many others that feature you in their thoughts and prayers.

I know haw you feel, man. I lost one of my best friends on a trip six years ago. It stays with you every day, but in time, it will get better. Hang in there, bro.

Bill Herzog.

Sorry to hear about your loss, RT

RT,

Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family.

jed

Steve, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss! Our family will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. Mike.

You have my deepest condolences, Steve. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

Sorry to hear of your loss. I just returned from a week long trip with my brother and sister both. I cannot imagine your sorrow. I will think good thoughts for you and yours.

Todd

Steve,

My sincere condolences to you and your family! Losing a close loved one is the hardest thing in life, I know your pain, I have been through the worst one imaginable!

Keep Your Head Up!

Thomas Pate

RT,

I am saddened by your loss. Take care, Andy

RT,

You have my deepest sympathies as well.

Mark

Sorry to hear the news RT. Corey and I would like to let you know that our thoughts are with you and your family! Take care and drop me a note or call if we can be of help.

God bless.
STRIKE ZONE

Hey RT, sorry to hear about your loss. You'll be in our thoughts. Time for all of us to give our brothers a call.

Bruce

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, -- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless falls of air. . .
Up, up the long, delierious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor eer eagle flew --
And,while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

"High Flight" a sonnet by John Gillespie Magee, Royal Canadian Air Force

I am so sorry to hear your tragic news. I wish peace and grace for you and yours.

Tad

[ 07-09-2001: Message edited by: T Dodge ]

Sorry to hear the sad news.

I have a brother too,and even though we don't always get along, I would be upset if I lost him. Hang in there.

That sonnet by Magee is a good one TD. I have read it before. My brother lived it many times before his departure. My other bro and I will drive to Nevada tomorrow to bring Gary's cremated remains home with us by Wednesday. ... Thanks again for so many supportive words you guys. It helps. ... And we are on our way back to being ourselves again. Take care. - RT