Rotorhead Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 It is with great sadness to report that Rocky Pearson has passed away last night in hospital. Rocky was my boss and friend for many years and will be missed by all who knew him. He was the Chief Engineer for the Logging Division and later Director of Maintenance for Canadian Helicopters until his retirement about six years ago. When I started this journey in the helicopter business, I had a few demanding jobs that tasked my physical, mental and financial abilities. Rocky saved my sorry arse and took me under his wing allowing me to do everything in the hangar at 4391 Agar Drive. I was hired as an assistant to the 61 logging engineers during winter maintenance and logging support jobs in the summer. He paid me very well for my limited knowledge at the time. Anytime the Western or International Division asked, I was loaned to them, short notice, to be anything from Janitor to the Executive Assistant to the Division President. I always bought him a Disney tie when I was going away for an extended period and he always had a winter job waiting for me. He had a sense of humour unmatched in the building. Rocky always treated me and his other hundred hour wonders like they were his own son. The month that I was born, Rocky was living just a few hundred kilometres away working as an engineer on the offshore Sikorsky 61s in the Okanagan Helicopters base in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He was at that time the same age that I am now. Some of his children were born in Kemano, the birthplace of Carl Agar's mountain flying techniques and the real catalyst for a company that became Okanagan. His employee number had very few digits if I remember correctly. Rocky, you will never be forgotten my friend. Thanks for the career that you made possible. Rest peacefully. -Bob Garnhum ("Yo-Bob") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
412driver Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 my condolences to the friends and family........... RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenestron Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 As another one who knew Rocky, I echo the sentiments that Bob has already said. I couldn't have said them better myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 Ditto, I had the pleasure of meeting Rocky & working with him when I was in VCR many years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 **** it .........another one of the good guys gone. Must be a Major O/H going on upstairs and the call has gone-out again. Take care bud. Nicely said Bob and a lot more could say the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transquebecniece Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 So very sorry to read of another great loss to your industry. Many condolences and fond remembrances to everybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carholme Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 Many happy rests Rocky. Hope when you get up there you and Chuck Taylor have some good laughs. You were a great teacher down here and will be fondly remembered. My God, how time flies. carholme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 **** carholme, this the first I heard of Chucks departure. When did that happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 I knew Rocky very well. Worked with/around him in Vancouver many years ago. Sorry to hear he's gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67november Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 My godspeed to Rocky and the deepest condolences to his family, this has been a year of many passings. let's keep the younger flying and the older retired without further lose To all out there, fly and fix safely, life is too short Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.