Twenty five years ago, I posted an ad in the Bucker newsletter offering a couple of spare Jungmann parts I didn't need. The next day, a guy from Florida named Talmadge called me. He was restoring a Jungmann and needed the bits and pieces. The next thing I knew, a big RV pulled up in front of my hangar in Pennsylvania. We chatted about Buckers. We laughed. We told stories.
A few years later, I had a Tampa layover. I decided to stop in and see Talmadge. Maybe he had put my spare parts to good use. When I arrived at his home, Talmadge, Holly and their ever present Scottie dog greeted me with open arms. Not only was Talmadge restoring a Jungmann, but he had a Jungmeister project too!
Again, we chatted about Buckers. We laughed. We told stories.
One BU&BBQ back in 2005, Talmadge turned me loose in his LOM powered Jungmann. I looped, rolled and generally enjoyed myself. It was a delightful airplane and I could not thank him enough for entrusting it to my care. Every year, I could always count on seeing Talmadge, Holly and their Scottie dog at the fly-in. I looked forward to it.
Sadly, Talmadge passed away last Thursday. He had been sick for a long time. When I heard the news of his illness, I told him I was sorry. "Don't be sorry," he told me. "I've had a great life."
Porsches, Boats, Long EZ's, Scottie Dogs, Bagpipes and Buckers. Talmadge loved them all. He will be missed.
Brian
Brian