Passing of Wayne Giles & wife in South Africa

[Mark Goldberg]

Several weeks ago our distributor and friend Wayne Giles and his wife were killed in a home invasion robbery in South Africa. So the bad guys could steal a couple laptops and cell phones. I didn't mention it here on the forum before now as I am not good at coming up with words for such a sad situation. Today I received an email from Wayne's friend Karl who did the test flying on Wayne's Patrol & LSA. Here is Karl's tribute to Wayne and his wife. Mark

http://www.pilotspost.com/arn0002246

[JimParker256]

What a senseless tragedy, and a huge loss to their family and friends. Wayne was a great guy, gone way too soon...

[BravoGolf]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. What an incredibly difficult time for their children.

[svyolo]

Wow. Not sure what to say.
Fair winds.

[Gerhard Rieger]

Its sad to loose another friend to the violence in our country, it never makes sense, they will be missed.

[robcaldwell]

I was fortunate enough to meet Wayne and spend some time with him at '08 & '09 Oshkosh. Emailed back and forth with him several times. What a great guy and talented BH builder. So sad this happened. Wayne will be greatly missed.

[Olm]

For about 4 years having a picture of his ZU-BHP on the wall of my office to inspire me to building. I was terrified with the news... RIP Wayne and Janique...

[quadra]

What a senseless and terrible loss. My heart is with the family and I hope justice is fast and true.

[jetdriver]

So sorry for their loss to family, friends, and the aviation community. That was a lovely tribute, fair winds and following seas.

[Bcone1381]

I met Wayne at Oshkosh and will always remember Wayne as someone I wish had a hangar next to. I would look for him in the Bearhawk Booth in the subsequent years after our first introduction. His words were always carefully chosen and had experience behind them. His character and words and advice were not speculative as in "I wonder..." rather was "do this" or "This works" type of advice. Very approachable and willing to share but he never boasted. Yet what he did was something to be proud of.

I also met his son there, and think of his loss. They were close and had a shared interest inexperimental aviation.