Firefighter pilot leaving Alpine dies in New Mexico plane crash
ALPINE — A pilot working with a crew of aviator firefighters stationed in Alpine — Ronald Van Patton — was killed Thursday when his Air Tractor AT-802A plane crashed near Capitan, New Mexico.
Information about the crash came from Patton’s employer, Coastal Air Strike of Florida, in a Facebook post and from its owner Michael Hutchins, who spoke with The Big Bend Sentinel on Monday. Hutchins said his company has been stationed in hangars at Woodward Aviation in Alpine for periods of time over the past few years when it was contracted by the Texas A&M Forest Service to battle wildfires. The crew is dispatched to wildfires to survey them and dump fire retardant.
The forest service let Coastal Air Strike out of its contract last week to allow the crew to move to other areas of the country in need. Patton was ferrying a plane to Oregon when it went down in New Mexico, Hutchins said. No cause of the crash has been announced and likely won’t until a National Transportation Safety Board investigation is complete.
Patton was a second generation pilot who had accumulated more than 14,000 hours of flight time. Public data showed his age to be 58, but no obituary had been published by press time to verify his age. “Van will be greatly missed by many,” Coastal Air Strike wrote. “His big-hearted and extremely kind personality, along with his ability to make others smile, will never be forgotten. On top of his admirable aviation career, he was a committed family man, always putting his wife and son as his first priority.”
Raphael White Woodward, who runs Woodward Aviation, said she and her staff had gotten close to Patton and the Coastal Air Strike crew, and they were well known in Alpine. “[Patton] loved it here and wanted to come back and fly with us,” she said.
1970s Alpine High School reunion reminder
ALPINE — Coordinators of the Alpine High School 1970s classes reunion are reminding all of their reunion get togethers planned for the AHS homecoming, Wednesday through Saturday, October 9 through 12 (pending school board approval) — Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day weekend.
The reunion will feature a bonfire, the Buck’s football game, the AHS band halftime show, and other gatherings in Alpine. Other possible activities currently in planning are a dance at the Country Club, tours of both the 1970s high school buildings, climbing A Hill, and most importantly spending time with old friends from AHS days.
Fort Davis Book Sale Bonanza set for July 6
FORT DAVIS — The Friends of the Jeff Davis County Library in Fort Davis are busy bees preparing for the annual book sale, and this one promises to be spectacular. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, outside the library under the west awning, this year’s feature will be a select group, “Books For A Buck, ” consisting mainly of popular fiction, religion, science, children’s books, and some non-fiction. At noon these will be offered for “Pack a Sack” to further enhance the bargains until the sale ends at 2 p.m.
Specialty books primarily in art and western history will also be available at reasonable prices, and there will be something for everyone. The entire proceeds from the sale benefits the library; it will be closed for the holiday on July 4 through 6.
Jeff Davis Democrats host debate watch party
FORT DAVIS — Jeff Davis County Democrats will hold a Biden-Trump debate watch party tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Butterfield Inn, 201 N. State St., Suite #5, in Fort Davis.
All are invited to join fellow Democrats to watch the debate, share dialogue and snacks (potluck and BYOB). Those attending are encouraged to bring a folding chair or small lawn chair in case extra seating is needed. The suite is accessed through the courtyard.