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- Christian Klepser,Madita Klepser,Annik Klepser and Robert Sachs
St Vincent (SVG) Air Traffic Services paid a heartfelt homage to beloved pilot and dive instructor Robert Sachs.
Sachs, together with actor Christian Oliver (Klepser) and his daughters, were killed when their single-engine plane crashed shortly after takeoff from J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm, Bequia, on Thursday.
In a social media memorial, the SVGATC expresses heartfelt sympathies to the deceased’s family and friends.
“Robert Sachs was a pilot flying into and out of Bequia for as long as we can remember. Most of the staff came to the department and got to know ‘Bob, who would have been flying before we were employed. We grew up as babies in aviation, knowing Bob and interacting with him.
Bob was very opinionated; he had very strong opinions on how things should be done and were being done, offering advice and suggestions in his own unique way. He was friendly, witty, and interacted with everyone.
Bob was a friend to many of us, not only at the Air Traffic Control Towers within the various islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly at the J.F. Mitchell Airport where he was based, but also at the Aeronautical Information Services office at the Argyle International Airport and at other regional Air Traffic Control Towers.
Bob would have flown recently, and so would have interacted with staff in the days before the tragic day. We all remember his usual request as he would fly into Argyle from J.F. Mitchell: “Call Rubis for me; I need some fuel on arrival.”.
The day’s tragic events unfolded with deep and profound sadness for us. It can be especially difficult for air traffic controllers. It’s someone who you knew, we all knew, and it’s not one of those jobs when tragedy strikes that we can say, Let’s pack up and close and open back tomorrow, but we banded together and continued delivering a service. We really want to salute those members of staff at the J.F. Mitchell Airport. We are with you.
Bob, we are going to miss hearing you on frequency and seeing the aircraft. Rest in Peace.”
Robert Sachs, also known as Bob Sachs, co-owned Dive Bequia, a Port Elizabeth dive tour company, with his wife, Cathy.
Robert Sachs was born in New Jersey, United States.
