December 14, 1998 is a sad day
for me. I heard of the death of my friend , Conny Karlsson, Conny died in
the hospital in Stockholm with his mother and sister by his side. He died
of pneumonia after a long struggle with cancer.Fossett Landing
Editor:
December [1998] arrived and I enjoyed it very much! One small error caught my eye. In your digest of RTW attempts (Who's On First) you mention that Steve Fossett's January 1996 attempt ended in Newfoundland Canada. In fact he landed in New Brunswick. (This was just a few miles from where we hold the annual Sussex Balloon Fiesta.) This information probably makes no difference to the vast majority of your readers but we Maritimers get mentioned so infrequently in ballooning circles that we can't miss an opportunity to be heard from. Back to enjoying the magazine!
Murray Fraser
Prince Edward Island
Canada
Conny Karlsson 1942-1998
Editor:
December 14, 1998 is a sad day
for me. I heard of the death of my friend , Conny Karlsson, Conny died in
the hospital in Stockholm with his mother and sister by his side. He died
of pneumonia after a long struggle with cancer.
I first met Conny in 1978, on my first visit to Sweden. He was the crew chief of Per-Olow Anderson, one of the first modern balloonists in Sweden. Per-Olow and his son, Peter introduced me to the Swedish balloon community and allowed me to fly in the Swedish National Championships. My first World Records were set in Sweden with the help of these three remarkable pioneers in ballooning.
Conny and Per-Olow visited me in Dallas during 1981. Conny liked Texas and decided to stay. He lived in North Texas for several years during the `80s. He became my crew chief and helped me with many of my world records. I always knew that I was safe when Conny prepared the flight. My last balloon flight with Conny was in Sevige, the same balloon that I had flown with Peter in the 1978 Championships. Conny touched people. All were charmed by his quiet confidence, gentleness, and lasting friendship.
His friends and the balloon community have lost a wonderful friend.
Coy Foster MD
Dallas, Texas
Donald A. Sarno 1941-1998
Editor:
The ballooning community has lost another long-time balloon pilot, Don Sarno from St. Louis, Missouri. Don can be referred to as an "old-timer" in our part of the country. He was one of the first balloonist in this area back in the early 1970's. One of Don's best gifts to the St. Louis ballooning community was his early and long-time involvement with The Great Forest Park Balloon Race. He was president of this organization which still brings a fine balloon race to our large metropolitan area today.
Don died December 3 of complications from a blood infection.
He had a lifelong interest in railroad history, nature and became a community activist in local efforts to limit development and preserve green space in west St. Louis County, as well as his love of ballooning.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Friends of Chesterfield, PO Box 0067, Chesterfield, MO 63017 or the Nature Conservancy, 2800 South Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63144.
Janine Bebick Mroz
Maryland Heights, Missouri
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