Muleskinner

Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News

Bart Brown [Click to enlarge]

Ask anyone at the UCM Skyhaven Airport and they all can talk to you about Bart Brown.

"You won't find anyone to say anything bad," said graduate assistant Karrie Shank. "He's just one of those people who everyone loved."

Brown, 42, died from a heart attack Saturday and left behind a legacy in UCM aviation.

Graduating with a master's in aviation safety from UCM, Brown has been a part of the University ever since.

"One thing that may have gone un-noticed about Bart was how he strongly supported the University," said aviation professor John Horine. "He would always go to the state fair and promote aviation.

"UCM had their table there and then Bart had a UCM Aviation booth right next to them. He had as much presence there as anyone else. He was a huge advocate for aviation."

Horine and others said Brown worked hard at what he did. Brown was the chief flight instructor and worked with students striving to graduate as certified flight instructors.

Assistant flight instructor Jeff Riff worked with Brown everyday, sometimes 12 hours a day.

"I was his right hand man," he said.

Riff said Brown was open to discussion when it came to work decisions and he always had the students in mind.

"He was dedicated to improving students."

Brown left an impact on UCM student Dave Gipson. Gipson was working to get his flight instructor certificate and Brown was there to help him along.

"He helped me transfer some classes and get started from the beginning," he said. "I was going for my certification, and he helped me out one-on-one to get ready."

Gipson passed and was signed off by Brown. Ever since, the two maintained a relationship, often chatting and hanging out in his office, Gipson said.

"He just really enjoyed seeing students succeed," he said.

One of the last times they talked, Brown explained how he didn't like to see the students go because he got attached to them, but it was just part of the job.

Professionally, Brown was serious, but had a lot of fun, too.

"When I first met Bart, it was an interview for a job. He scared me," Shank said. "But after I got the job, I found he was the nicest guy I ever met."

Continued...

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