July 13, 1998
from Clint Vincent [cvincent@pdnt.com]
Hi Kathy,
I would like to pass on a little info on Dan that perhaps only a few of you knew. First, a little background may help. My name is Clint Vincent and I've been jumping for 23 years and rigging nearly that long. Up until four years ago, I lived in Virginia and jumped mainly in the DC area and worked at USPA. When Dan was about to leave the DC area and move out here (Champaign) he asked the locals if they knew any riggers out here. My name was recommended.
Dan contacted me in Feb. of this year and asked if I would I&R his rig and also would it be possible if he could watch. I agreed and he showed up at my house on March 8. After chatting for a little while (jumping and telescopes), Dan indicated that he was interested in becoming an FAA Rigger. I explained the procedures and steps necessary and agreed to help him get his rating. By the time his reserve was packed and most of his questions had been answered, it was nearly 3am.
The six hour marathon inspection and repack didn't seem to discourage him. He called several weeks latter and informed me that he had purchased several rigging books I had recommended and was ready to tackle sewing. We scheduled another evening - with a midnight deadline - to master the sewing machine. He did very well and was out of here before my deadline. I still have his sewing samples hanging on my wall.
The last time I heard from Dan was several days before his accident. He called and said it was time for another all-night-repack after he jumped that weekend.
I thought that you and his friends would perhaps be interested in the fact the Dan was again expanding his knowledge in a sport that we love so much. If there is anything I can do, feel free to ask.
Blue Skies,
Clint D-7624
July 13, 1998
From Timothy Sisson [tsisson@1tac.com]
1st of all, thank you for building a memorial web site for Dan...I only met him 3 months ago at Skydive Chicago but got to spend some time with him, picking his brain about CRW. He made an impression on me, one of a no-ego sort of person who just enjoys life and sharing his experiences with others.
I can remember him jumping with our team DA BASE, as we were practicing for the upcoming World Record attempts. Our team consists of pretty big guys wearing alot of weight (I'm 6-3, weigh 237 lbs, and wear an additional 21 lbs of lead). Anyway, we invited him to jump with us and told him we had an EXTREMELY fast fall rate. Well, the dive went well except Dan never made his slot because he went low. I remember getting really upset by this, not at Dan mind you . . . but because there we were talking about how fast our fall rate was and how it was impossible for anyone to go low. Well, what do you know, this 6-5 bean pole with no weights actually was able to sink out on us. Well that shut me up for a while about how fast our fall rate was. I was talking and laughing with Dan about it later, when he mentioned that he did a lot of CRW. This is something I hadn't tried but have interest in and he must have spent the better part of an hour giving me tips and pointers on how to start out . . . what gear is best for CRW, what to do, etc.
On Sunday morning, I landed out near the field where he died and laid a cross in the corn. It was a small cross I had made when I was young and it just felt appropriate. Again, although I didn't know him that well . . . he will be missed and remembered.
Blue Skies,
Tim Sisson
July 14, 1998
from Kelvin Wellington [Kel.Wellington@atnf.CSIRO.AU]
Dear Kathy,
Thank you for putting together the sad news about Dan. You did a great job and I guess it wasn't easy as you shared so many wonderful windows on life.
After reading it I realise I didn't know this Dan and wish I had. The astronomy game has a wonderfully large international community of participants but the downside is that many contacts are pretty transient.
I've had a long love affair with flying but came into it from the soaring side. I haven't found many from astronomy who have been captured by its magic so I feel a loss at having missed sharing with Dan. Thanks for sharing Dan. I can empathise with his search for adventurous souls in life. They are in the minority and but worth the search and sadly down by one with Dan's passing. Take joy in the memories.
best wishes,
Kelvin
July 16, 1998
From Vannetta R. Perry [science@nmt.edu]
[Vannetta was the "parade wrangler" for several of the parades Dan stilt-walked in. She is also director of Science Fair, for which he several times served as a judge.]
Hi, Kathy. I just read about Dan, and am so saddened to hear of his tragic death. I remember when (my son) Galen was very little and saw Dan on stilts at 49ers or some parade, maybe County Fair, I don't remember. Galen always called my Dad "Big Papa Doc," because Dad was the tallest guy Galen knew. When Galen saw Dan, his eyes got as big as saucers, and for a minute, he couldn't even talk. He said,"That man is even bigger than my Big Papa Doc." And, Dan was so sweet, he came over to Galen, talked to him a bit, and Galen wasn't a bit afraid.
Dan was always kind and gentle, I suppose when something like this happens, it is a reminder to us that even though we may only see a person for a brief period of time, that person can have a profound influence in our lives, or we are able to have an impact on that person's life. So, we must treasure each relationship, as each, in its own way, is sacred.
Vannetta
July 16, 1998
from: Anton Zensus [azensus@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de]
Dear Kathy,
I was very sorry to hear the bad news about Dan's death. Like your web pages about him very much and would like to be on your email list regarding those pages.
This all reminds me of the days in '92 when I was still at the AOC and spent many nights there working. Occasionally, somtimes often, talked to Dan about different things (computing, astronomy, motorcycles, life, careers...) then, and I remember when he told me that he had started skydiving. Bill Meredith, also dead, was a skydiver, too, and we occasionally all chatted about that.
I can say that I miss him. He was a great kid and an outstanding mind. Some of the things I read in your pages ring bells of memories about him.
Best wishes,
Anton Zensus
July 16, 1998
from Rosemary Baca [rosemary@emrtc.nmt.edu]
Today I just looked on the NMT home page and saw this new item about Daniel Briggs. I hardly knew him, and he probably wouldn't even have remembered who I was without combing through his memory, but how shall I say, he was the kind of person you don't forget meeting. He met my daughter when she was five (now 14) and he proceeded to show her his collection of toys. In fact, he had a toy case. She was really surprised because she had never met a grownup who had toys like that. "Mommy, he has a toy collection!" I think she said. That's all I can say about him, really. Anything more would only be that I sadly envied someone like him because of his many delightful talents and his ability to pursue his heart's desire.
July 16, 1998
Humphrey Drummond [hum3@csi.com]
Dear Kathleen
I just wanted to say how sad I was to hear of Dan's death. It is the first time I have received bad news on the internet. Sue Byleveld has passed on the message to me.
I met Dan in Sydney when I gave him a lift to the Scottish Country dancing in Darling Harbour. We both danced in a very small group in the pouring rain. The first time either of has had been to the group.
In the next few months I often gave him a lift into classes and we travelled to other dances around Sydney. I enoyed meeting him and encouraged me to do a couple of free fall parachute jumps. I envied his penny whistle playing which he did in the cafe after classes.
I enjoyed meeting him and although we didn't keep in contact after he left Sydney I am grateful for the shared fun we had while he was there.
I would like to extend my sympathy to you and to his sister.
If you could pass this on to his sister I would be grateful.
Regards,
Humphrey Drummond
Back to the Dan Briggs homepage.