Poul Ladefoged
It is with great sadness that I post the news of the sudden death of Poul, last Friday.
A quiet, gentle, proud Dane, he has worked in this industry his entire life and was well known all over the world for his wealth of S61 knowledge and experience.
Poul worked all over the world and for many companies over the years. Amongst the companies he worked with, included Greenlandair, Resorts International, Okanagan, CHC, VIH and Cougar. His jobs took him all over the world and into all spheres of operation, for high arctic exploration to his most recent job with Cougar in Australia.
I first met Poul over 20 years ago and had the great pleasure of working with him in Alaska, British Columbia, California and Louisiana in logging, firefighting and offshore operations. Poul was a gentle giant with a great and varied interest in many things. He was an inquisitive individual and once he got to know you, he had a tremendous sense of humour - the kind of relationships that are made when you work in close proximity in small remote operations.
It was my great privilege to have known and worked with Poul. I regarded him as a very good friend, as well as a great mentor and wealth of knowledge on the S61. He was a tremendous husband, father and a very, very, proud grandfather - I know his family will miss him terribly. I know he will be sorely missed by his colleagues and friends within the helicopter industry.
There is a memorial service scheduled tomorrow, February 14th 2009, at 11:15 am ar Tswwassen Alliance Church in Delta, British Columbia.
Poul was known universally as "wooden shoes" - he will always be remembered by his friends by this name.
Rest in Peace my friend, I will miss you.