Vale Rick Balfour

[Democritus]

Another Bristow stalwart has passed away. Last week Rick Balfour felt unwell and called an ambulance. Subsequently his heart was restarted several times and he was put into an induced coma and on a ventilator at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Sadly he did not improve and he was taken off life support late on Wednesday afternoon and he died shortly thereafter. I think he was 71 years of age.

[Dave B]

Sad to hear that, I worked with Rick on S76 operations, a nice guy to work with.

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

When I arrived in Aberdeen Rick was on the 214. Despite being on a different aircraft he would always help new guys with some pointer/short cut/procedural advice if he saw them struggling. A true gent.

RIP

[Kalif]

Many fond memories of working with Rick on the 214ST.
We managed to convince people up at Unst in the Baltasound bar that he was me dad!
Sad loss....

[Democritus]

Yes, also have many memories of flying with Rick on the 214ST. Not often you can say you’ve known someone for nearly 51 years but I first met Rick on the 8 week ex-service groundschool crammer for our CPL’s in April 1968 - along with Dave Smith and the late John Whale.

Rick’s funeral will be at Baldarroch Crematorium, Crathes, at 1300 on Thursday 14 March. Sat Nav AB31 5JL. That postcode may take you to Baldarroch Farm which is 100 metres further up the road.

[soggyboxers]

Sad news. I last worked with Rick in Port Said in 1981. He was a really nice, professional but laid back guy. RIP

[Saint Jack]

I worked with Rick on Bristow Masayu's Rio Tinto operation in Sumatra, Indonesia back in 1972/73. He was flying Bell 206A's with the very necessary water methanol injection system. He and I would socialise with our respective girlfriends - both later to become our wives - in Singapore on our time-off. My wife still keeps in touch with his. This would be his first wife and my wife is informing her as I write this. I met Rick again in China about eight years ago when he was doing some relief flying at Shekou. Rick was the kind of guy I generally categorize as "quietly competent." Blue skies Rick.

[industry insider]

Saint Jack

Rick was the kind of guy I generally categorize as "quietly competent."

I knew Captain R A Balfour in Aberdeen but didn't didn't fly together until the 80s when he was on the S-76 and I had just converted. I thought he was a cool Pilot, always reminded me of Cool Hand Luke in those days! As NEO says, you learned by osmosis just being around Rick as he would always give some wise advice. Top bloke.

[Impress to inflate]

RIP. Just read that John Whale passed away, when did that happen ? He taught me so much of the RNAV2

[industry insider]

Our Bristow colleague and friend John Whale pulled power and departed at the end of July 2018. We also lost David Duncan last year as well. All of them top men.

[cpt]

Ce n'est qu'un Aurevoir Rick,

We shared bright sunny days in Port Said back in 81, leaving shinny unforgettable recollections in life.
I even managed to teach him this famous old French Royal Navy song " Au 31 du mois d'Aout" and in return he taught me "Diana" and "3 German officers" )))) We had our Fridays "gambas au pastis" barbecues on the airport office roof, and the famous balcony races plus a bunch of many others.
Time flies

[thechopper]

Quite a few hours spent in the crew room , the Craighaar , and BBQ-ing in ABZ. Always nice.

Farewell Rick

[ec155]

Had the pleasure of working alongside Rick for over 20 years. A caring, true gent with a great sense of humour, he was also a consummate professional pilot who outside of work loved his rugby. We will miss him.
RIP pal.

[bombdoorsopen]

Knew him on the 214ST...another great chap gone... RIP