This all very sad to read. I guess to some extent it comes under the 'lot of old pilots, lot of bold pilots', familiarity breeding contempt etc., I met Mr. Leeward at Oshkosh some years ago, in fact, I have his baseball cap in a cupboard at home [long story].Like Treadi, I know the name Chuck Ellsworth and would have the same comments re flying with him as Treadi.
When I was a mere PPL, and stayed that way, I found that the best way to improve ones flying was to scare oneself s......s from time to time!!. Never made the same mistake again. Out of this disaster can olnly come good. RIP everyone.