Donald Joseph Marso This Guest Book will remain online until 6/11/2009 at http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=6292254294704&cid=full May 23, 2009 All Don's many friends at the old Frontier Airlines are saddened to hear of his passing. Our condolences to his family. ~ Jake Lamkins, Fayetteville, Arkansas May 20, 2009 When I first met Don he was in his wheelchair snooping around my Antonov AN2 Bi-Plane that was tied down on the ramp at the Hector Municipal Airport, just a few miles from his childhood home in Canby. After conversing for a while about our careers he commented on how big the cargo door was on the old bi-plane. "You could easily fit a wheelchair through that opening" he hinted. "Don, I would take you for a ride in the AN-2 but that would be like riding in a bus. After being a Crop Duster, wouldn't you prefer to do some aerobatics and some simulated spraying?" I quizzed. His eyes lit up and we proceeded to raise him to the top of the ceiling of my main hanger via a manual chain hoist that we used for lifting engines out of aircraft. We then lowered him into the Yak 52 (A Russian aerobatic trainer). We took off and proceeded to do some fun maneuvers, but Don got quiet. I loosened my harness and looked back to see why he was not responding. His head was slumped over forward. I knew he did not want the ride to be over just because he could not hold his head up, so we joined the pattern to land and to make some adjustments. But then a new problem arose. I could not get the throttle back far enough to land. Don told me over the intercom (voice activated) that the rear cockpit throttle was hitting his leg and there was nothing he could do about it. I added power and aborted the landing. While in the pattern, I realized the solution. "Don, I am going to do a knife edge to the right after I turn final, that should cause your leg to fall away from the throttle." It worked! I was able to land safely being mindful not to add any more than one third power or we would find ourselves in the same situation. Don and I discussed a fix for his posture. I tied a rope from his left knee to the right side of the aircraft. That took care of the throttle problem then I removed the belt from my pants and fastened it to the back of his seat and around his chin. We did aerobatics and spray plane passes for about an hour. He was ecstatic about the ride, but then slept in his motor home for the rest of the day! Don was an amazing person. He made the best of the hand he'd been dealt and never whined about his illness. I often use him as an example to others who think they've got problems. I'm sure Don told many about his rides with me, but I was the true benefactor of those times we spent together. How can some one have such a great spirit knowing that each year will be more challenging than the one before. I am proud to call him my friend and stronger to have known him. Rest in Painless Peace, my Friend. Ed Newberg P.S. Pearl, your devotion and companionship to Don is much appreciated by all. ~ Ed Newberg, Hector, Minnesota | May 17, 2009 Having only met Don last year he left quite an impression on me. He had a strong will and a sense of humor. I had some great conversations and laughs with Don. I'm a better person for having known him. People come into your life for a reason and I'm glad I got the chance to meet him... ~ Claudia Costa, Inverness, Florida May 12, 2009 Most of what I knew about people with physical disabilities came from Uncle Don and I drew strength from my memories of him when I became an amputee. His will to live, to travel and meet people was part of what inspired me to get back to living my life. I didn't get to see him as much as I would have liked, and I will miss him. ~ Andy Marso, Olathe, Kansas May 12, 2009 I am so honored to have known Don. One of the best men a person could ever know. I will miss him greatly. Rest in peace my friend. ~ Sherry Keinath, Parachute, Colorado May 12, 2009 I have known Don from about 1962 and it has been my great pleasure to call him a dear friend. I was an usher at Don and Rebecca's wedding and even after moving to Alaska I stayed in touch with him. He and I had somewhat parallel careers in aviation. He eventually with Frontier Airlines until MS forced him from the work he loved and I with At&T Alascom as a corporate chief pilot until my retirement in 2004. We made a particular flight into Grand Junction on the spur of the moment in the mid 1990's. I called Don and we got together at West Star Aviation for just a few moments. Don was feeling pretty bad so I prayed for him and His care taker named me the praying pilot. That title stuck with me through the years. A couple of years ago I spent a few days with him in Grand Junction and have fond memories of our discussions about different vintage aircraft. He was so mentally alert, still recalling the mechanics of several aircraft. Although he couldn't do the physical labor, he could have supervised the rebuilding of an airplane from prop to tail without misplacing a screw. He had a craftman's talent and a tremendous touch on the flight controls. I will miss him and look forward to meeting him in a sky that will be eternally blue never gets stormy. So Long for now, Kyle ~ Kyle Hannah, Anchorage, Alaska