It is with great sadness that we learned that Paul Stychno has passed on Friday, September 7, 2012 after struggling to overcome cancer for several months. We all knew Paul mostly as Jon’s father. But we quickly learned that we could always count on him for support at the field whether it was helping with one of our BBQ’s or assisting in one of our events. Paul was an outgoing, gregarious guy who shared our enthusiasm for flying and aviation because he was an aviator himself. Paul was a longtime licensed pilot who had extensive flying experience. One story he shared with me at the 2009 Christmas Party, was about finding himself with the assignment of ferrying an F4U Corsair, a plane he had never flown, but found the courage to check it out, get it airborne and delivered without incident. Paul was definitely a “can do” kind of guy, full of confidence that was earned through experience and success. It just made you feel good to be around him as he had such a positive view of life.

I last saw and talked with Paul a little over a month ago, at the field, and even though we both knew his future might be pretty limited, you could feel his enthusiasm and energy for what we were doing.

We will all miss his presence at pylon races, events and Christmas Parties. It won’t be the same without him.