Vale Bruce Hartwig [Archive]

Desert Flower

11th Mar 2019, 11:13

Received news this morning that Bruce Hartwig of Hartwig Air, Bruce Hartwig Flying School etc. passed away yesterday.

DF.

Jungmeister

11th Mar 2019, 12:29

Sad news indeed. Bruce was always a popular instructor and aviator. His quirky grin and sense of humour will remain with me. He was so much part of the scene at Waikerie and Parafield. I would have first met and flown with him back in the sixties at Aviation Services and RACSA. Bruce loved taildraggers and old aeroplanes and so did I. RIP Bruce.

Pinky the pilot

12th Mar 2019, 02:14

Bruce took me on a half hour trial Instruction flight way back in the early 1970's.

And didn't charge me a single cent!!

Rest easy, Mate!

gerry111

12th Mar 2019, 07:29

And didn't charge me a single cent!!

Those who knew you well during your twenties, Pinky, may understand... :oh:

Desert Flower

12th Mar 2019, 07:46

Funeral will be held on Friday March 15 at 12:30PM in the Heysen Chapel, Centennial Park, Goodwood Road, Pasadena.

Donations to the RFDS would be appreciated in lieu of floral tributes.

Pinky the pilot

16th Mar 2019, 07:31

I was unable to attend the Funeral but I have been informed that there was a number of Waikerie Gliding Club members who did attend and that there were "over 500" attendees. Tony Kingham gave one of the eulogies and apparently so did one of the former Flying students from years ago; Georgina Sutton.

And Chris Sperou did a flypast, accompanied by 'another aircraft.' That's all I was told.

I'm more that a little annoyed that I was unable to attend!

Jungmeister

16th Mar 2019, 11:53

Pinky, It was definitely a gathering of SA aviation exponents from the sixties as well as more recent associates of Bruce. And many family members of course. The flypast was nicely done with B33 GIP (one of my early loves) flown, I believe, by Warren Stewart and Chris Sperou in his Super Stinker Pitts. No aerobatics just several quiet laps of the cemetery with smoke against a perfect blue sky. Tony Kingham looks good. His words were more about their early days together, including their first purchase of an aircraft (Auster). Georgina gave a long talk with many reminiscences. She actually read out my PP post, which was nice. Bruce's love of cars came through strongly too. A very simple ceremony with no fancy bits. Bruce's motto on the reverse of his photo card: "Live till you die".

outnabout

5th Apr 2019, 01:41

Think it was absolutely disrespectful that the flying school that Bruce Hartwig founded has no acknowledgement or tribute to this gentleman on their webpage or social media on the day of his funeral.

Desert Flower

5th Apr 2019, 02:27

Think it was absolutely disrespectful that the flying school that Bruce Hartwig founded has no acknowledgement or tribute to this gentleman on their webpage or social media on the day of his funeral.

I thought it was disrespectful too that so few people posted tributes to him here, given the amount of times the post has been viewed. After all, it's not like he was a newbie to the industry.

DF.

HarleyD

8th Apr 2019, 03:56

I have been travelling OS and missed this first time around.

I remember Bruce as a very ‘down to basics and get them right’ type of guy and am very glad I had the opportunity to do my Instructor rating with him in Parafield about 40 years ago ( OMG is it really so long ago?)

blue skies and tailwinds Bruce, you were a real asset to the industry with the way you set so many up in their careers.

HD