Spanner, you have the advantage of me. I think you know who I am, but I don't know who you are. Perhaps you could give me a clue?
Actually, in my almost 35 years of 'grass roots' hands-on VFR fun flying, including aeros, dodgy strips, and lots of other stuff, I'm amazed how few friends we lost over the years. I think 'attitude' has a lot to do with it; interesting flying in interesting responsive aeroplanes, but not cavalier 'kick the tyres light the fires' stuff. And a realisation that an aeroplane can kill you very quickly and in very many ways, and flying's a constant learning curve; you push the envelope gradually; but you sure as hell push it!
I think we were lucky in our initial training, as well. Some great guys like Charlie R and Tom D, and later Martin R. Real airmen, in the real sense of the word!