We lost my friend and Huey partner Dave Schmitz yesterday in a helicopter crash. 11 years ago with my student helicopter license in hand, I told Dave I think we should get a Huey to support the Vietnam Veterans and show the families of Veterans what their fathers and grand fathers did in the war. I remember Dave saying “I’ve always wanted a Huey! Forgetting he was a Marine with unbending will, he called me the next day and said, “you actually can buy a Huey!”
A month later we went to the used Huey store and picked out Huey 62-12369. A Month after that Dave, me , my wife Pat Lowell Hammarback, and the amazing Wes Knettle, flew the Huey from Olympia Washington to Spooner Wisconsin. Two days 14 stops through the Rockies we came!
Did I say that Dave hadn’t flown a Huey for 46 years?
With the full support of our wives, Pat and Ellen we embarked on our mission. In the last 11 years we have demonstrated the Huey to thousands of Veterans and their families. Dave was indeed a gung-ho marine. Dave was a great promotor of the Huey, organizing and planning missions. On the way we developed a family of dedicated Huey maintainers, crew and supporters. Our mainstay was Bob Drallmeier our crew chief, who also perished in the helicopter crash.
Yesterday we were making appearances again in support of the Huey and veterans. We stopped at flying cloud airport, and then a veteran's support event near Jordan, MN. Because the Huey had a heavy load, Bob Drallmeier elected to ride along with Dave in his R66 helicopter
About 3pm, Bob and Dave decided to leave early to avoid some rain showers. They planned to go to Air Lake to stop and wait for the showers to move out of the way. Just short of the Air Lake airport the helicopter had what appears to be a catastrophic engine failure. They did not survive the off airport landing.
Dave loved his family, his children and grandchildren. He always talked about them. He was an excellent pilot, and a true patriot.
He’d call me nearly every morning to discuss life and the Huey. There was no call this morning. Safe travels west Dave. Your friend. Barry
