Reaction of friends on rec.skydiving

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> From: D. D. Bartley
> Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
> Subject: Re: 2nd fatality at Skydive Chicago
> Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 4:50 PM

> Hello Doug,

> My heart goes out to yourself and Dan's family. Even though Dan didn't jump at SDC very often he joined right in the fun. We had a super time playing many games of volleyball most of Saturday during the cloud delays. He seemed like a wonderful guy with a great attitude. He really nailed the accuracy jumps that some of the jumpers did later in the day and dead centered the target on his jump. I could hardly believe it was him when I was informed of the identity of the fatality. His accident was unfortunate and I don't know if we will know what exactly happened. There was nothing anyone could have done.
> D.D. Bartley
> Quincy, IL

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> From: Rhonda Lea Kirk
> Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
> Subject: Dan Briggs (was Re: 2nd fatality at Skydive Chicago)
> Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 4:40 PM >

> On Mon, 6 Jul 1998, Robert Lawton wrote: >

> > His name was Dan Briggs. He had a D License with 500+ jumps. And he was a very nice guy.

> Our Dan Briggs?! Oh no.

> > Rest in peace, Dan. I know you will be missed.

> I didn't know him...except in e-mail. We corresponded sporadically over three years...

> I will miss him...a lot.

> Rhonda Lea Kirk

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> From: Rita
> Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
> Subject: Re: Dan Briggs (was Re: 2nd fatality at Skydive Chicago)
> Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 6:29 PM >

> I also didn't know him very well, but the one thing I do know is that he was certainly a very helpful guy ... in response to a post of mine, he emailed me with one of the most comprehensive explanations of AADs, the various kinds, and the principles on which they operate. That had to take some time to write ... not to mention the research that went into it. His email was very thorough ... in fact, I still have it. It answered every question I could have come up with, and then some.

> Blue ones, Dan ... you will truly be missed.

> Seems like this sport always claims its best, huh? :(

> --rita

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> From: Thomas Kerler
> Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
> Subject: Re: 2nd fatality at Skydive Chicago
> Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 7:34 PM

> Robert Lawton wrote:

> > His name was Dan Briggs. He had a D License with 500+ jumps. And he was a very nice guy.

that's about the saddest thing I've read on this newsgroup. I was just about to answer an e-mail of his from Thursday when I read the posting. Dan wrote he couldn't decide whether to come Xenia or go to Ottawa for the holiday week-end and asked what was planned in Xenia and thought it'd be fun to finally meet in person after a bunch of rather enjoyable e-mail exchanges. Unfortunately I found his mail only on Saturday, after returning from a longer trip, but still hoped to finally see him the next day at Greene County - apparently he changed his mind and went to Chicago. I was really looking forward to do some jumps with him, learn some crw, and see who of us was the taller 6'5'' guy.

Honestly I think Dan's been standing out in the newsgroup with many intelligent and to the point postings and a great positive attitude. I always valued his humor and advice in his e-mails, and I'm convinced he was like that in person too.

My condolences go out to his family, his friends - those from his astronomy studies and otherwise -, and to our friends from the UIUC-skydiving club, who must be devastated by his loss. --

Blue Skies Forever, Thomas D-20874

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From: Wildthing Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: 2nd fatality at Skydive Chicago
Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 8:57 PM

Oh God this sucks indeed....

Dan came to our skydiver memorial and stayed with us in March when the plane crashed in Kansas City. He knew us and Eric through Diamond Quest.

Dan was one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.

Why does it seem that the best people are the ones who die?

I don't know what to say......

My condolences to his friends and family

Blue skies forever Dan.........

Becky and Bryan Welch

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From: defaultuser@domain.com [Lynnell Lacy]
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: 2nd fatality at Skydive Chicago
Date: Thursday, July 09, 1998 3:11 PM

> Dan Briggs was my neighbor and a friend. Dan was just at our home last week to visit with us about his recent skydiving trip to Texas. He said great things about the people there and he had a wonderful time. >

> One thing that hasn't been mentioned (thus far -- or at least I haven't come across it) is that Dan was *WONNNNNDERFUL* with children. I have a 9 year old daughter (Sarah) who adored Dan. He hired her to cat-sit for him when he went away (vacations, skydiving trips, etc.). There are also several other kids on our block who looked up to Dan. He was a very positive role model for them and, in one case in particular, a giving mentor to one of the boys on our street. My daughter has a skydiving tee shirt (from years ago) with a skeleton on it and "Blue Skies Black Death". Dan thought that was the coolest shirt (and had it fit him, I'm sure Sarah would've forked it over immediately for him). Our children are, like the rest of us who knew him, shocked and greiving. I just wanted you to know that not only could Dan be a hot skydiver, be a part of an awesome CRW formation, and hit a target right on, he was truly the "great guy" you've all read about in previous posts.

> Myriam, we were quite pleased when Dan brought you over to meet us last Fall. Keep in touch - I am so very sorry for your loss.

> Doug - Keep up your good work. Dan spoke highly of you - you have been a good friend.

> To those of you who "need" all the answers and seek blame - skydiving is a most exhilarating sport with a high that is unmatched. It is also, sometimes unfortunately, a most unforgiving sport. You play the game, know the risk - be responsible enough to accept it; Dan was. While Dan's death is sad, he died doing something he truly loved.

> Sorry to be so long winded. "BSBD"

> Lynnell Lacy

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