We should all be so blessed to have such friendships as you and Dave had Jeff, I'm very sorry for your loss. He had a life well lived, we can all be happy for him and all that he shared during his time with those around him.

After I read this sad news yesterday I got quiet . Wife called me for dinner and asked me if something was wrong . I simply said we lost a fellow Pelican . She knew what that meant and said she was sorry .

This forum is different than any other , a true brotherhood of characters . Vast diversity and skill sets . A tight group . When we lose a fellow member we all hurt . I wouldn't want it any other way .

There are Pelicans here that I've known for the greater part of two decades and feel are part of my family. I truly appreciate each and every one of you for your incredible vastness of knowledge and kindness to share it.

Rusty Heap, Dave, was one of the gems. I loved reading his posts and living vicariously through his adventures. Jeff, you too are one of the gems and I appreciate you, brother.

Rest in Peace Dave. Thank you for the very heartfelt writeup Jeff, David

Damn sorry to hear this. And proud that our group has people like Higgins to memorialize someone we lost. I've only met a few here but still think of this place as a community and not just some internet entertainment.

R.I.P. Rusty Heap. What a tragic way to go. My condolences on your loss.

I’m sorry to receive this terrible news. RIP Dave.

Don't post much here but I'm here everyday. I really enjoyed his posts and pics. Very sorry for your loss Jeff.

!@#$%^&*()$%&^! It just sucks when we lose someone to a simple accident. There was a retired engineer we rented hobie cats from in Belize. One year we went to find him and they said he fell of a roof, hit his head and died. Just sucks.

I'm sitting here totally bummed that we lost Dave and not from old age. It is great to re-read their posts and hear the memories from other Pelicans to know they had a life well lived. My wife questions the safety of many of my activities and my reply is, "A life not lived isn't a life worth living". Godspeed Dave!

Still processing this ... it just sux and hurts...

But I will smile when I think of Dave... he would want that...

RIP Rusty. If nothing else, may the death of another lend some perspective to priorities.

What a shock. Rest In Peace Dave. Condolences to others who will miss him.

Very true. When Vicki sees me on the computer, she'll ask, "Talking with the guys?" and she means the Pelicans, of course. You are all special. You are all "the guys."

Very sad to hear this...RIP

Godspeed Rusty Heap. "No one knows when that day or hour will come - not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Two of Rusty Heap's recent posts:

11-15-2024
12-3-2024

FFS!
RIP Dave.
Sorry for your loss Jeff.

My Condolences to you Jeff.

Rip

So sorry Jeff.
Freaking ironic for a guy who lived an adventurous life. No guarantees.

So sorry for your loss Jeff. RIP Dave. He sure seems like he lived life to the fullest. Good lesson there.

Rest easy, my dear friend, you spoke well. And take care of yourself.

Like you said, ironic. Holy crap.

GodSpeed Dave, you will be missed.

Ouch...just seeing this now. So sorry to read this. Yes...RIP RH. Wishing you all the best on the other side!

RIP Mr. Heap.

Wow, we nearly lost you too bro !

I will restrain myself from any attempt to introduce a moment of levity at your expense... for now.

Was it a red pill or a blue pill?

RIP Rusty. I so enjoyed his post.

Red in peace, very sorry to hear this bad news.

As Shaun said:

Cherish the memories. Sorry for your loss and may he rest in peace

So sorry for the loss of your friend. Dave's memory will live on forever in each of us. Rest in Peace Dave.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

In around 2016 we (wife, kids, and I) got certified open water diver. I reached out to Dave for some suggestions and he was most polite and accommodating sharing his best recommendations in posts and PMs. Dave was a genuine asset to this forum.

RIP Seattle Diver Dave!

WOW. that sux. RIP Rusty.. man, you just never know when your time is coming..


That being said, I have asked for this for 10+ years to no avail, can we please have a memorandum sticky page that has just the names of those have passed (without comments) so they wont be forgotten and as a place for rememberance..

Good eulogy Jeff, thank you for sharing.

A reminder that we can go at any time, doing any thing.

Cherish our time here.

sad news. RIP Rusty Heap.

Thanks, Jeff. Few of us ever get to immerse ourselves in a completely different world. I think it gives you a unique perspective. Your long friendship is something you will cherish forever. I loved the photos of his adventures and admired his home, aka "the ranch." All the best to you and his family.

Yep, that's a good idea.

RIP Rusty. Play with the Pelicans of past.

Very sorry to hear but also not an uncommon way to go at all, especially as we get older. Probably didn't help that he lived alone and there was no one to call 911 but he probably enjoyed his solitude. It can be wonderful.

Both my grandfather and my dad died not long after taking bathroom falls, GF was in the shower and my dad just passed out and conked his head. Like I said, not uncommon. RIP, Pelican brother. :(

Good point and perhaps a reminder to add a real grab rail in your shower area. A coworker's wife in her late 30's slipped in the tub while showering; he found her when he got home that evening but by that point she had brain damage from swelling. They had a baby who was unattended for that entire time but was OK. Going barefoot in a wet, slick, cast-iron tub is probably one of the more risky things we do without a second thought.