Chris Booysen - 15 May 2021

[Tony van Vliet]

RIP Chris. This is really sad news, condolences to Denise and Family as well as to Roger, his close friend of many years.

[flypiper]

Sad to hear,

Chris was my Wing Man and supporter when he came on board in SAPFA and lend a hand in organising PTAR s
Condolance to the family.
RIP Chris.

[MGR]

Aggenee!! RIP Chris. Always enjoyed our chats at Algoa flying club. Such a loss.

[Horace Blok]

RIP Chris. Have just read Jan's WA message to me about your very untimely passing.

"Thank you Chris" for your very mature and hefty contribution to aviation in SA when you were involved administratively. You made a difference. Thank you too for your wisdom and guidance when you were at PWC to the Blok family.

We became personal friends and know Denise if you read this, we in the community rated Chris highly. A very decent human being.

(Essie, now Chris - oh man . . . . ).

[nrm]

So sad to hear that. RIP good man, and sincere condolences to the family and friends

[TC]

This is so desperately sad. It was a privilege knowing you Chris - a humble, gentle, wise man.

[Dan]

Very sad news RIP sir and thank you for all your help in the PTAR races especially mine in 2006
Sad news

[james]

Very sad. RIP Chris. Condolences to the family.

[jimdavis]

Hardest day of my life.

Chris and myself met 31 years ago and have been good mates since, not only working together, but sharing very similar recreational passions.

Chris and I were out on a cycle at Crossways (half way between PE and Jeffreys Bay), where he lives. We were a bunch of 20 on the ride. Chris was his normal joking self one minute, and the next, he just fell off his bike. We were going up a rocky hill and initially I thought he had just bumped into the rider next to him and fell. Sadly that was not the case. Not 100% certain as to the cause, but it was pretty much instant. No warning signs before it happened. It was as if someone had just turned a light switch off.

In the bunch we had a training paramedic (as in he trains paramedics) and he came to Chris' assistance within seconds and worked on him for over an hour and half. Everything that could have been done, was done, and could not had any better assistance than he had. EMS helicopter also came to site.

Loneliest ride ever back down that mountain without my mate.

[HJK 414]

...........
Loneliest ride ever back down that mountain without my mate.

Roger,

I choked up reading that last sentence ..........

I hope you manage to deal with the loss of your friend over time .....
wish you strength and wisdom in dealing with it .....

JK

[Jan]

Thank you Roger - Jip we could also not sleep last night and are still in shock. I think our friendship is/was about 25 years.

So many good memories milling around in my mind -
All the flying experiences -
Racing against each other in the PTAR in our RVs -
Then sometimes organizing PTARs or National events -
Overseas flying trips to various World Championships -
SAPFA meetings and matters ( He took over as Chairman from me ) -
What he has done at RAASA -
What he and Roger has created here - AVCOM -
Three tours (one with our RVs) to Namibia -
All the kuiers and braais and red wine and simply good company and fellowship -

We have lost a brother - only good memories left and my RV that I purchased back from Chris in 2018 when he stopped flying.
RIP Brother Chris

[Brand]

Wow - what an unbelievable loss...

[cage]

Sorry for all of your loss, there have been too many good people passing these days.

There have sadly been a surprising number of middle-aged men having cardiac episodes while cycling.
I recently had this conversation with my cardiologist.
If you have never done so, it is worth a visit for a thorough checkup. It is good peace of mind, and could save a life.

[Fransw]

Ai! Very sad news. RIP Chris

(agree with cage. very important to go for the check ups..)

[Jean Crous]

RIP Chris, and strongs to the family and friends left behind. Especially thinking of you Roger
Jean