Rich Pendergist	Mike Moulds

The staff at the United States Ultralight Association regretfully and with great sadness reports that Richard A. Pendergist, Executive Vice President of USUA, and Mike Moulds, treasurer, of USUA Club #1, died in an ultralight accident on Saturday, October 18th, 2003.

USUA thanks everyone for the heartfelt wishes and condolences. Our friends will be deeply missed by USUA and the entire ultralighting community.

Rich Pendergist Obituary from the Maryland Independent Newspaper.

Funeral Information: On the evening of Thursday, October 30, 2003, a memorial service was was held at the Williams Funeral Home, in Indian Head, Maryland. The funeral service was held on Friday, October 31, 2003, at 10:00am, at the Williams Funeral Home.

Rich was interred at the Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, October 31, 2003 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:

United States Ultralight Association
Flying Club 1
Attn: Dave Riedel
6506 Harvest Mill Ct.
Centreville, VA 20121

(Checks can be made payable to "USUA Flying Club 1")

Any condolence cards can be sent to:

The Pendergist Family
5050 Creeds Mill Road
Marbury, MD 20658

But as it turned out his enthusiasm for something as simple as a seat cushion was one of the Hallmarks of Mike's personality. I regularly accused Mike of having a low threshold of excitement because he was excited about everything he was ever involved with.

Mike could be forced to go flying with all the difficulty of simply asking him to go. We frequently went for the "$100 Hamburger" at any airport within walking distance of a restaurant. Sometimes even a vending machine was enough for Mike to suggest we pick some obscure airport as our next destination.

Somehow his job as a senior marketing executive in the high-pressure world of information technology never showed. All of us who knew Mike knew he actually understood economics and accounting but he never really discussed it much because he knew we didn't have a clue. However, USUA club one did not let this skill go untapped as we elected him twice as the club Treasurer. For the first time in club history we knew exactly how much money we had to support club functions.

Mike was also an entrepreneur. He started a number of small businesses, sold them and moved on. He seemed to enjoy the challenge of starting a business and getting it to the point of profitability. After succeeding he would sell it and move on. When his marketing position was cut as a result of downsizing, he simply opened his own consulting firm, providing computer support to small businesses. He specialized in working for companies with less than 10 computers. In a matter of months the business took of and he had more work than he had time for.

Mike was the kind of guy who would do anything for someone who needed help. He was a deeply emotional guy who could empathize with the problems of others. If someone in the club needed help Mike was always the first in line to offer.

Mike was a good and careful pilot. He was proud of his Hawk and maintained it well. On the day he was killed he performed his preflight, found a problem and decided he should not fly it that day. He was the originator and coordinator of our annual "fall color run", which consisted of a four-hour flight down the Shenandoah Valley at the peak of the fall colors. As such he hitched a ride in another plane for the first part of the flight, and switched to Rich Pendergist's plane for some cross country map and compass navigation practice.

Unlike me, mike was a planner. He loved the details of setting up and executing flight plans. I just like to fly, so I would just fly the plan Mike laid out. During 2001 Mike, Jim Ford and I began planning a flight to Kitty Hawk for sometime in 2004. When Jim passed away in late 2001, Mike and I decided that we should make the trip in Jim's honor. We had attempted to go on three occasions in September and October but were weathered out each time.

Everyone in Club one will miss mike. He was always ready to fire up the grill at the clubhouse and have a party. In the winter when the weather was too bad to fly, he would always have a roaring fire going in the clubhouse and greet everyone with a smile and the offer of burgers and dogs.

Somehow for me the highest tribute I can give to Mike is to fly his last flight plan to Kitty Hawk for him.

Tail winds west Mike.

Phil Williams

Funeral Information: On Thursday evening, October 23, 2003, there was a gathering at the Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg, VA. Internment was performed the next morning at the Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, VA. The beautiful, but solemn grave side service was well attended by members of Mike's family, friends, and fellow aviators. Pilots from USUA Flying Club #001 performed a moving fly-over which concluded with a "Missing Man" formation.

Donations may be sent in Mike's name to the:

Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad
P.O. Box 1178
Leesburg, VA 20177
Attn: Ms. Patty Russell or Mr. Spencer James
(Please indicate the memorial donation is in the honor of Mike Moulds.)

Saturday, October 18, 2003, was a sad day for ultralighting. It was a sad day for me. While on a flight over some beautiful Virginia countryside, a Rans S-12 flown by USUA Executive Vice President Rich Pendergist, and fellow USUA Club 001 member Michael Moulds, went down. There were no survivors. Little is known about the circumstances surrounding the accident, but the result is well known. My friend went down.

Rich and I first worked together a couple of years ago when he was hired by USUA as Director of Communications. That, too, was during an unforgettable time. The date was September 11, 2001. In the days following September 11th, you will remember FAA shutting down all small plane activity. We were all grounded. Rich took on the mission of opening up the skies again for ultralights. Largely due to the efforts of Rich Pendergist, ultralights were flying soon after. He just wouldn't give up. This dedication was shown again a few years later when Rich was called on to take the reigns of USUA as Executive Vice President. If you have been following the progress of USUA since early this year, you will remember the many times when Rich broke the mold of what is normally expected from an association executive. He admitted the true financial condition of USUA -- something unheard of today.

I am proud to say that Rich and I worked together on many of the changes enacted by USUA this year. His dedication was inspiring, and his jovial attitude was refreshing. He always had something humorous to add -- usually at my expense. That was OK; he didn't know he was bald.

Yes, Rich was an aviator -- private pilot, ultralight pilot and BFI. But aviation really wasn't his first love. His family was his first love. The VERY first thing Rich did when he moved into his office at USUA headquarters, was hang a picture of his children directly behind his desk. He told me "I have to watch what I do now. I have those guys looking over my shoulder making sure I don't screw up." Rich had 4 children and 4 grandchildren -- all of whom he loved more then anything.

Because of the love and respect everyone had for Rich, you will hear many words of praise.

Dale Hooper, USUA Staff
USUA member #A1953

What do I remember when I think of Rich - my friend . . . my colleague?

When the workday seemed to be an uphill struggle, his words, "Fly the airplane" gave me a different perspective.

When I came into the office each morning, he'd say, "Good morning, Sunshine!" and I'd start the day with a smile.

When I returned to the office from making the bank deposit and I didn't bring Rich and Dale candy bars, "Where's the chocolate?" was a reminder that my frequent gift was missed.

When I was in the workroom next to his office, he would sometimes sing a line or two from an old country song. It softened the silence and brightened a windowless room.

By recalling these things about Rich, I remember the special man he was. I think about the encouragement and support he gave me. I think about the rare mixture of hard work and humor with which he filled his days. I think about his love of flying and how he loved sharing this with others.

Right now, there is an empty space left behind in the world of his family and friends. No words of remembrance can fill that void. However, I share these memories with you as a way to comfort you and celebrate his life.

Fair winds west, Rich.

Carol Plotnick, USUA Staff
USUA member #A80700

Rich loved flying. He loved flying ultralights and instructing in them. He loved all ultralights.

I first met Rich six months ago as he took the position of EVP at USUA headquarters. Our mutual interest was Powered Parachutes & USUA, a topic that Rich embraced and worked on with a passion.

During our lengthy discussions, it became obvious that Rich was focused on what he believed in; tenacious in what was important; dedicated toward USUA and its members; flexible enough to listen to comments and evaluate alternatives and willing to defend the privilege of all to fly ultralights. Safety was also a focus for Rich. In a conversation last week we discussed a Risk Management for Pilots Course he just purchased and a series of "What If" articles he planned on authoring.

Although we may never know the exact cause of this accident, I know it was well beyond his ability to prevent it.

I will miss Rich for who he was as a friend and a pilot but also for his prospective and the programs he envisioned for USUA and the Ultralight community. My thoughts and prayers to out to Rich's family and to the family of Mike Moulds.

Jim Sweeney
USUA Board of Directors

Dear Friends:

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Mr. Rich Pendergist, Executive Vice President of the United States Ultralight Association (USUA) and the National Aeronautic Associations affiliated air sport member for microlight/ultralight aircraft.

Details regarding the accident are not yet known, but we understand the Rans S12 crashed Saturday afternoon during a fall foliage color flight organized by a local USUA club. A second person on board also died.

Rich had been working tirelessly to improve member services at USUA. He will be dearly missed by all those who had the opportunity to know him.

We join the families and staff of USUA in mourning the loss of their loved one and colleague in this tragic accident.

Don Koranda
President
National Aeronautic Association

Dear Pendergist Family,

I and the LAMA Board extend to you our most sincere condolences on the loss of Rich.

He was a great guy, a tireless worker, and completely dedicated to aviation and the USUA.

We miss him and are shocked about the accident.

Larry Burke
Tom Gunnarson
Dan Johnson
Dave Martin
Phil Lockwood
Tom Peghiny

I just learned from the USUA web site that Executive Vice President Rich Pendergist was killed yesterday in an ultralight accident.

I cannot express how deeply shocked and saddened I am by this news. I spoke to Rich only a two days ago. It's unbelievable that he is not here today.

Rich was a tremendous asset to USUA. We had developed a close relationship, and we often discussed possible solutions to the many challenges facing USUA and the ultralight community. Due to the three-hour time zone difference between the East and West Coast, these discussions usually took place when Rich remained at USUA headquarters after closing hours. I was always amazed how often Rich would stay in the office until eight or nine o'clock at night. Few people know how deeply dedicated Rich was to his job and USUA.

Although Rich assumed the position of USUA Executive Vice President a relatively short time ago, he accomplished much. He revitalized the USUA membership. He established a dialogue with the FAA so that USUA could prepare for the impending Sport Pilot initiative. He created the Ultralight Ground Instructor Program for single-seat ultralights, which will continue after Sport Pilot is adopted. With the help of noted instructor Bud Gish, Rich established a Powered Parachute program for USUA.

Rich was the force behind a multitude of innovations in the USUA instructor program. USUA now provides for ASC and EAA instructors to transition to USUA, with credit given for their prior experience. USUA increased the number of AFI seminars, and now allows eligible BFIs to become AFIs after attending a one-on-one seminar, without waiting for the formal classroom schedule. A BFI is eligible to become an AFI after training three BFI candidates, instead of five.

Rich was enthusiastically working with me on a project to introduce high school youth to flying, in order to foster their self-esteem and help them resist negative peer pressure to experiment with drugs or become truant. The program is tentatively called "Youth Excellence Through Aviation."

Rich was following up on USUA's request to the FAA for a waiver to allow commercial instruction in experimental trikes so that students can obtain their FAA pilot certificate under the "Glider-Trike" Program, founded by myself and former USUA President John Ballantyne.

Along with Carol Plotnick and Web Master Bob Comperini, Rich expanded and enhanced the USUA web site. The site now included biographies of USUA personnel, a summary of USUA programs and benefits, and up-to-the-minute news. Through the web site, forms are now available for membership applications, BFI tests, renewals, and instructional documents.

Rich was tirelessly working with aviation insurance companies to re-establish ultralight insurance. Just last week he happily confided in me that he thought that he would soon be able to announce a comprehensive insurance package for both ultralight and experimental aircraft pilots. If Rich succeeded in solving the severe insurance crisis it will be a tremendous legacy.

In addition to his Executive duties at USUA, Rich still found time to fly and instruct. The last words he said to me was that he was anxious to fly during the weekend and that he was looking forward to the joy of being in the air.

Not only was Rich an aviation colleague, he was a great friend. His sudden and tragic death will impact us all. Our only consolation is that Rich's last moments were in the air, doing what he loved so much.

October 19, 2003
Jon Thornburgh
USUA AFI

I just returned earlier today from a long weekend to learn that Rich was killed on Saturday, and wanted you to know that I was greatly disturbed by this news ... and that my thoughts are with you at USUA and all of his family and friends. Although I'd only met Rich a couple of times, we'd had a couple of lengthy conversations, and it was quite apparent to me that he was greatly dedicated to USUA and ultralight and light plane flying. I really believed he had the community's best interests at heart.

It's a great loss for USUA and this community.

Sadly,
Mary Jones
Editor - EAA Experimenter

To the staff at USUA,

From The Terre Haute Ultralight Club
Terre Haute, IN

We are saddened at the tragic news of Richard Pendergist's death. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. We know how close a staff such as yours can be and wish we could share your grief in person.

Last year, we lost one of our flying buddies, Tim Crowley, in an ultralight crash and feel we really do know the shocking reverberations that will echo through your life for some time to come. We take consolation knowing these pilots were doing what they loved so well.

John Seifert Secretary, Terre Haute Ultralight Club

On behalf of the "Ultralight Flyer's of Alaska" (USUA Club #94) please accept our deepest sympathy and regret at the passing of Rich Pendergist. The Ultralight world has lost a great champion of our sport. Rich has been a pillar of support for myself and the Ultralight Flyers of Alaska since Mike Jacober's crash this spring. I will miss his advice, insight's and friendship.

Please pass along our condolences to the Pendergist family. The wave of grief has reached across the continent to Alaska and around the world.

Though it may not be business as usual, I am confident that USUA is in good hands, and I wish to offer you our support. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

Bud Gish
President - Ultralight Flyer's of Alaska

I've been a member on and off since the mid 80's. I hadn't been flying since '94 but this year I'm finally back into it and this time with homemade DIY gas turbine turboProp ultralight.

I wanted to fly on the 18th but the winds were too high. On the 19th I had a strange urge to go check usua.org to see about joining up again and was very shocked and sad to learn the news.

I flew today because it was an awesome beautiful day and in memory and for all those who would if they were here.

Larry Berg

I'm so sorry to hear of Rich Pendergist's death. I had the great pleasure of working with him on the Aeronautical Datalink contract, back in the days when he was just discovering ultralights. Rich would come in absolutely elated on Monday morning after a weekend of flying. He said there was simply nothing like the feeling of soaring aloft. I particularly remember him talking about how glorious it was to fly over the fall foliage on a sunny afternoon.

Rich did everything wholeheartedly. He went full throttle at work as well as in the air, even tracking down an antique Stearman aircraft for a magnificent video he made in support of the Aeronautical Datalink contract. His enthusiasm set the tone for the rest of us. Rich was a terrific friend and coworker, considerate and perceptive - a kind and good man. I will miss him.

Thank you,
Brie Dodson

Good Afternoon,

I work for the FAA in Washington, on the Data Link project. I had the sincere pleasure of having Rich work for me for several years. We are all deeply saddened by his tragic death. Sincerely,

Timothy R. Hancock
Federal Aviation Administration

I heard this terrible news from a man in Virginia who had read it in the Washington Post. My heart goes out to Rich's family and friends.

Rest etermal grant to him, O Lord.
And may light perpetual shine upon him.

Fr. John Elledge
Havre de Grace, Maryland

My sincerest condolences to USUA and the families of Rich and Mike for their loss.

Let me know how I can help in any way.

With best regards and a sad heart,

Tom Gunnarson

Please accept my condolences to all the staff at USUA and pass along my deep sympathy to Rich's Family.

Pam Brown
Waco Texas

Hello,

My name is Steve Dettmar and I was a student of Rich's this past Spring. I learned about the accident on Monday but haven't seen anything about the funeral services. I was checking with you to see if you had any information about the services. If you have any information and can send it back to me I would greatly appreciate it. Also if there is any kind of memorial fund or tribute we can contribute to, would you let me know about that as well.

Meanwhile, my condolences to all of you at USUA. I know what a good man Rich was and what a wonderful representative he was of your organization. We will all miss him dearly.

With deepest sympathies,

Steve Dettmar

To USUA

I am so sorry to hear about Rich and his accident. I talked to him occasionally by phone at USUA Hq., and he had a way about him that promoted a very open conversation with people. I offer my condolences to USUA and members of his family.

Paul Burns
USUA #A19013

Missing Man (In Memory Of Mike Moulds)

People arriving at the field look expectantly toward the hanger as they pass. Their heads turn as if by some unseen magnetic force. On a day like this his car should be parked out front. Today he is not there. The grass in front of the hanger is long and undisturbed. The door is closed, and spider webs are evident at the upper corners as testament that no one has entered. In the unseen darkness behind the door emptiness filles the place where his plane should be.

The normal shouts and clatter of an airport have been replaced by scattered groups of two or three people speaking in soft murmurs. They stare quietly at the ground shaking their heads or nodding in acknowledgement. Their lips can be seen moving but the conversations are soft and cannot be heard from a distance. Occasionally someone looks for a few seconds at the closed hanger with a blank stare and then looks back to the ground. Only the popping of the metal hangers as they begin to cool, or the occasional slam of a car door punctuates the evening silence.

The hollow crunching of car tires approaching from the road attracts attention. Everyone who hears it looks toward the gate. The anticipation in their eyes is impossible to conceal. As the sound grows louder people crane their necks so they might make out the approaching vehicle sooner. Suddenly a car appears and enters the field. Slowly, the expressions of anticipation dissolve to blank stares. It isn't him. Everyone looks quickly away as though embarrassed that they looked at all.

In the distance the sound of a lone plane can be heard. Slowly people look up, first one, then the next. They reach out, some with the left hand, some with the right, to block the evening sun. The small plane first appears as a black silhouette against the orange sky. The engine throttles back and it lines up to land. As it approaches the black begins to yield to the crafts true colors, until at last it can be recognized. It isn't him. As possibility fades into resignation for each individual, the arms drop slowly and the stares, one by one, return to the ground.

Soon anticipation and optimism will be replaced by the realization of loss. The reality of the loss is still in question for some, but it is real, and time will prove this to even the most stubborn. Talking with others, remembering, and even flying helps. But slowly each person in their own way, and in their own time, must take measure of the loss and come to a peace within themselves.

While outwardly gone from the field, the afternoon hanger parties, and the skies, he is still with us. In time the pain of loss will be replaced by warm remembrances of the good times and good fellowship he shared with everyone he met. He trusted each of us with a part of his spirit, to carry, nurture and share with others as we move forward. Until then;

Tail winds west ...

by Phil Williams