In Memory of

Howard White, 1937–2012

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Howard White
1937-2012

Howie began jumping at Orange Sport Parachuting Center (later Jumptown) in 1965 and soon joined the instruction staff.

In memory of 2010 Hall of Fame Inductee, Ted Strong

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Ted Strong, D-16
4/7/1936-10/14/2011

Ted Strong, 1936-2011

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Ted Strong, D-16
4/7/1936-10/14/2011

A visionary from the beginning and a man with an enormous heart passed away on Friday. Ted Strong was inducted into the National Skydiving Museum's Hall of Fame in 2010, its inaugural celebration. Ted began parachuting in 1958 and trained jumpers at the US Military Academy at West Point until his discharge in 1961. That year, he founded Strong Enterprises, a manufacturer of parachute equipment now based in Orlando, Florida. Ted logged more than 4,900 jumps. A multiple patent holder, Strong designed and built the first tandem system (the most common method for introducing people to the sport) in 1984. Ted Strong will be dearly missed.

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Erwin Wuester, 1930-2010

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Erwin Wuester, a Riverdale native who was a leading authority on the design of military parachutes, has died.

The textile engineer died May 5 after a brief illness. He was 80 and lived in Lowell, Mass.

Wil Charette, 1936-2010

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Tue, 25 May 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Wilfred J. A. "Squeak" Charette, who was born November 14, 1936, passed away May 9, 2010, at his home in Tampa. Among his many achievements, he was one of the original Golden Knights, serving 11 years in the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Amy Charette.

Josef Pavlata, January 9, 2010

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT

On 9th of January 2010, Mgr. Josef Pavlata, Czech legend of the classic parachuting, member of the Army Sport Team of Parachuting DUKLA Prostějov died after a long fight with a serious disease.

Hank Simbro, 1927-2010

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:38:00 GMT

Hank Simbro, D-63, passed away on Friday, 1-22-2010 at Clark Fork, Idaho. He did most of his jumping at the Lancaster, Taft and Arvin DZ's in Southern California.

Hank’s wife, Muriel D-78, was a member of the 1962 U.S. Women's Parachute Team.

The family has requested that donations be sent in Hank’s name to the the National Skydiving Museum, 5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd. Suite 702, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 or online at www.skydivingmuseum.org.

Gary Pond, 1955-2010

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:33:00 GMT

Gary G. Pond, born into a skydiving family and an active skydiver for decades, died Jan. 27, 2010 of cancer at his home in Orange, MA.

David Barish, 1921–2009

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:49:00 GMT

David Theodore Barish, aeronautical engineer and parachute inventor, died on December 15, 2009 in New York City. He was 88.

His family announced his death, which was the result of Multiple Myeloma.

Loy Brydon, 1932-2009

nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:44:00 GMT

Loy Brydon, 77, died unexpectedly October 25, 2009 at his home in Tucson, Arizona. Loy is survived by his children Kenny, Kevin, Ty and Hugh (Patti), grandchildren Beth, David, Stephanie and Rosemary, great granddaughter Tristin and his siblings Beverly Sanderson & Lee Brydon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Mark. He will be missed by all, including Sarah, his Weimariner and Tee Taylor, his ex-wife and best friend.