REFLECTOR: Steve Goldman

[Andy Millin]

I regret that I have some very sad news.  I was notified last night that
Steve Goldman has passed away.  It was an aneurism.  Sudden and unexpected.
I do not have any more detail than that.  The email came from Steve's
neighbor.  Steve was about two years into building his XL/RG.

 

Somehow Steve had found my website a few years ago.  He asked a few
questions about building and expressed his sincere desire to someday build a
Velocity.

 

I looked at my guestbook, and saw the entry he left in 2006:

 

 

Hi Andy,
So I've been watching your site for at least two years (we exchanged some
email in '04) and I see now it really is looking like a plane. Pretty cool.
I finally took the plunge today myself and ordered a kit. Hope to get it in
June.

 

 

 

That was a pretty good day.     It was easy to tell he was excited.   Steve
was starting down the road.  That's gotta make you smile.  I wrote back with
congratulations and best wishes.

 

As he worked on the project, we would occasionally exchange email.  Steve
was a smart guy and really wanted to understand the process and the reasons.
I remember getting an email from him when he tested his new HID landing
light.  It is great thing when another builder takes the time to share their
"Builder Moments" with you.

 

I had the great pleasure of meeting Steve last fall at Velocity University.
He had a long, hard IFR trip in his Grumman Tiger to get there.

 

In our day and age, it is a treat when you get to meet someone face-to-face
that you have been conversing with for years over the net.  Steve was a very
cool guy.

 

Steve setup a website to detail his building.  http://www.fatcatair.com

 

For me his site shows an average guy living the dream.   He was pretty good
about sharing the good and the bad.  Smile when he comes up with a clever
solution -- grimace when his clever solution might just have cost him six
more weeks of building and another $500.  

 

Steve left a gem for us.  Check out his "First Year Building Video".    He
set up two webcams in his shop and used the images to create a time lapse of
his first year of building.

 

I am richer that I have known him.  I am poorer that he is no longer with
us.

 

steve_goldman.jpg

 

 

Andy Millin

 

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