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For those who have not yet heard, there was a fatality in Twin Falls on Saturday evening. I am expecting (and hoping) that more experienced jumpers than I will initiate a factual discussion of the technical aspects of the incident. As always, we all learn from every incident.
This post is my own personal tribute to the jumper and friend (however brief our friendship) we lost that evening. I didn't know Brian before the weekend, but I was fortunate enough to share some good times in his company.
I remember the huge smile on his face when he landed his first square BASE jump at the base of the Perrine. He was so proud, so alive, so full of positive energy. He laughed, I laughed, and the world was a really great place.
To me, Brian was clearly a person who brought more to life than he took from it. He was a careful jumper, not jumping to impress others or scare himself. He was everything that is good in BASE, and something that is missing from so much of what we see in the world today. He was really alive.
I send my congratulations to his family, and in particular his wonderful mother. I know what it is to raise children. For someone to raise a child as caring and positive as Brian is truly the ultimate tribute to a parent. I know your sorrow is deeper than words can convey.
Brian lives on in our memories of him. For me, my memory will always be his big smile in the green grass on the banks of the Perrine. In his memory, I am planting a cherry tree out here in Oregon. Every spring, when the blossoms come, I promise to tell a new person of Brian to share his legacy with others.
I don't know how the gods of chance choose who goes in and who lives. I've made more than my share of mistakes and yet I'm here typing this memorial, shedding tears on my keyboard. I don't know how to make sense of that.
From Frasier and I, who shared one weekend with you Brian, our thanks for everything.
Peace, my friend.
Douglas B. Spink
