Vale Rick Balfour
Thread Starter
Vale Rick Balfour
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.
Nigerian In Law
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
RIP
Last edited by Nigerian Expat Outlaw; 24th Feb 2019 at 19:10.
Thread Starter
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.
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.
Last edited by Democritus; 22nd Feb 2019 at 19:37.
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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.
Last edited by Saint Jack; 23rd Feb 2019 at 03:53.
Saint Jack
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.
Rick was the kind of guy I generally categorize as "quietly competent."
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.
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
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
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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.
RIP pal.
