Although he was not a San Diego Kite Club member, the tragic loss of David Bui on July 17, 1999 in a car accident in Mexico has saddened all who knew him. I feel compelled to share with those of you who didn't have that pleasure the kind of person he was and just how great a loss this is to the kiting community.
I met David when I attended a SCSKL First Flight Workshop in March of '98. As Chief Judge and a highly successful competitive flier, he presented so much information in such a casual way that I immediately felt the tension I anticipated before my first competitive event diminish. He was always available to us fliers, at events or by email before or afterwards, to answer questions or give advice about any aspect of kiting. Even though he resigned his position with the Kite League when he moved to Yuma to work for Skyshark, I always hoped that he'd come to our events as a spectator. Now that I know that won't happen, I'm deeply saddened. My only consolation is that I always made a point to tell him how much I appreciated him and his support of the league and to me personally. Take a minute today to let someone who means a lot to you know it as tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us.
What follows are excerpts from the many postings to rec.kites that followed the sad news of our loss.
AKA Grand Nationals Champion for Innovative Kite Award
"Occasionally you meet a person who shines brightly.
David was this person. My company employed him and even more so, he
was my dear friend. I would like to say a few words to tell people
how I feel. David was a perfectionist. Although he expected perfection,
he was patient with everyone involved. He had a leadership quality
that few have and the ability to communicate his level of intensity
and perfection to others and bring everyone up to a higher level.
David's intensity, perfectionism, and leadership was contagious. Everyone
in production wanted to spend time with him, to show him that their
work was up to his standards. He made everyone around him proud of
their work."
--Erez Borowsky, Skyshark
Whether experiencing the edge of competition, the
thrill of victory, or the spiritual symbiosis with the natural world
around us, David was always clear and level headed. What I think I
admire most about David was his eager desire to learn and improve
everything. He will forever be fondly remembered and sorely missed!"
--Chris M. Moore, Wind Wizards, Kansas City
David was not just a kite flyer but in my opinion
he was the best. He won on the east coast, west coast, midwest and
everywhere entered. He will be greatly missed as a friend and a competitor
and all around good guy."
--Jug Buckles
David was one of the nicest all around kiteflyers
I know. Active in all kinds of kiting, from small wings to big foils.
This is such a bummer. He will be missed. Not having much aoxo right
now."
--Dean Jordan
David, the few times we met, I could tell you were
special. Thanks for the pow wow, advice, and kind words. There are
many who you've touched with tears in their eyes. One of too many
kite flyers that have left us this year. You won't be forgotten."
--Penny Lingenfelter
David, we did not know you long, but could tell what a wonderful person
you were, whether holding kite strings, cheering on a new competitor
or just joking around. We have missed you during this season of competition
and will continue to miss you even more. You set an example that we
as kiters would love to be able to follow, you left some mighty big
boots to fill! Please have fun flying with Larry Mixon now, and filling
our skies with color."
--Paul and Chrystal Eshelman
David, you are a true kiteflier in every sense. Your
spirit will fly on. Enjoy the moment. Glad to have met you and flown
with you. You will always have my respect. Thanks."
--Bryan
Leonard, Arizona Fliers, Wings After Flying
David, you were one of the truly legitimate people
in kiting I have ever met. Your successes at all levels of kiting,
kite design, kite making and kite flying, stand on their own. However,
your willingness to contribute your time and efforts to kiting, your
professionalism, your organization, your intelligence, your dry wit,
your perfectionism, your politeness and your courtesy, were to me
what set you apart from the crowd. You have set the bar high for those
who will follow. Right now, all I can say to you David is I hope the
shopping is great wherever you are! Happy Flying and We Love You."
--Barbara Dockendorf and Tom Stoner
We feel very fortunate to have known David for such
a short time. David had innate goodness, selflessness and class. You
could tell this when you shook his hand. He had a love for kiting
that was contagious. We will miss him."
--Larry and Sandee Bush
David was the purest dual line kite flier I've ever
met! David was a perfectionist in every sense of the word. His kiteflying
and kite building skills were second to none and his personality was
just as impressive! David always treated other kiters with equal respect.
David, you will be missed and remembered by everyone that has ever
had the pleasure to be graced by your presence!"
--Troy Gunn,
AKA Region 8 Director
"David was the nicest, most unselfish, giving and astute kite flier
I've ever met. His energy and enthusiasm for kiting were boundless.
I only knew David for about a year and a half but in that short time
I came to respect and admire him for many reasons. More than anything
else though, he made everything he did look easy. Last November ('98)
at the Avi Kite Festival, I watched David fly his Tika in zero wind
behind the hotel ... on 60' lines. This was not a zero wind kite by
any stretch of the imagination, but David
made flying it look effortless
and you got the impression he could do it all day long. That was what
I ALWAYS noticed about David's flying. He made it look like he could
do it in his sleep. David was the consummate flier and inspiration
incarnate. I took over David's roll as Chief Judge and Scorekeeper
for the SoCal Sport Kite League in Feb. ('99). He passed along to
me a laptop, some notebooks and a few binders full of forms. I corresponded
with him for a time until he nudged me through the process of setting
up a Sport Kiting event, taught me a few of the things I needed to
know but mostly pointed out that the whole process was like flying
a kite. There are LOTS of ways to do it ... but when you do it well,
it looks easy. David's relaxed and easy going approach to kiting set
him apart from everyone else. As unassuming as he was, he stood out
like a beacon and inspired more fliers than most of us will ever know.
I'll miss him as a person and as a fellow flier. David was the jewel
of kiting."
--Allen Stroh
In
Memory of David Bui