LETTER:A sneaking suspicion that Heaven will look like Alaska

To the editor:

My name is Bob LaMar and for eighteen seasons I was employed as an Alaskan bush pilot. During my career I flew everything from Piper Super Cubs to de Havilland Beavers. My jobs were equally as diverse. I flew for gold mines, outfitters, air taxis and bush lodges.

My love of bush flying began when I was six years old and living in California. My father took me on a fly-in fishing trip to British Columbia. I have long since forgotten how the fishing was. However I never forgot what it was like to land on a pristine alpine lake in a beaver on floats.

From then on, as other kids fantasized about playing Major League Baseball, I dreamed of being an Alaskan bush pilot. After college I immediately went to my local airport, got a job pumping avgas and started learning to fly. Within weeks of earning my final rating, I loaded up my truck, and like so many before me, headed North to find my future.

My first job was as a packer, flying Super Cubs for a guide service out of Coldfoot. The following seasons I enjoyed a front row seat to see everything Alaska has to offer. Blue glaciers, volcanoes, pristine rivers and rugged mountains dripping with cornices of snow. The animals of Alaska never failed to disappoint either. Walrus, bear, moose, wolves and caribou were on display for virtually every flight.

On one particular flight I saw from horizon to horizon what appeared to be fields of wheat waving in the wind. Dropping lower, my “fields of wheat” turned out to be thousands of migrating caribou. Alaska never disappoints.

Another memorable flight gave me a priceless treasure. An enormous walrus skull complete with ivory tusks. Landing a Super Cub equipped with tundra tires on a black sand beach, with Mount Aniakchak as a backdrop. I felt like a grizzled gold miner finding the biggest nugget of his life. The head, float balls and other notable finds grace my home and serve as reminder of a life full of joy and adventure.

I have recently learned that I have cancer and my life will soon exist on another plane. I have a sneaking feeling that heaven will look like Alaska and I will step off into a world of vast natural beauty.

I was blessed to see my childhood dream come true and grateful to the many individuals who supported me along the way. A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mike Cusack for his support and opportunity. Thank you Alaska and to her people for making my life a true adventure.

I love you and will miss you all.

— Bob LaMar