We all hope to make a positive difference with our lives, to leave things better than we found them. Al Ueltschi did that and then some. Because of him and the organizations he created and nurtured, countless aircraft have delivered their crews and passengers safely, and millions with failed or threatened sight now behold clearly the people and places dear to them.

And pretty soon, yet another unsure but eager second lieutenant will enter a sim and learn to pilot a helicopter expertly through the muck because long ago a man with vision and a penchant for expletives invested to help ease his way.

For that and more Al Ueltschi has my heartfelt thanks. May he rest in peace. He earned it.