In Loving Memory of Michael Channer
"we are still thinking of you"
by patsy 13 Apr 2005 still thinking about you both and Michael will be rememberd here for a long time to come. We hope you will come back to the valley someday.
patsy
luangwa valley
wildlife@super-hub.com
"I flew with Michael"
by Federica de Micheli Edwards 17 Mar 2005 Dear Gerry & Sharon,
I met Michael in Johannesburg in July 04 when we flew to Lusaka in ZS-OKX. I am also a pilot with many hours in C210. Together we went to Rwanda and Congo in that same aeroplane that killed, only short of 6 weeks later, Michael. In the long hours of this long flight we spoke a lot. I have a son of exactly the same age of Michael. Michael was an outstanding pilot. Careful, meticulous, very intelligent and quick in understanding better suggestions for engine management. He spoke to me lots about his parents and I remember saying how much I would have loved to meet you one day. He told me about your extraordinary travels and I could relate immediately to the two of you. I had just landed from another flight when a friend from Zambia called me with the terrible news. Needless to say I was shoked and my thoughts went to you being mother myself with also a pilot son.One word is too many and 1000 are not enough.Impossible to get close to your pain, your despair, your loss and much more. In the meantime I hug you with all the love & warmth I am capable to give you. Federica Federica de Micheli Edwards
Johannesburg, South Africa
demi@global.co.za
"To the parents"
by roy n' marianne wood 17 Jan 2005 Dear Gerry and Sharon: this time last year we met in Big Bend Texas, both on a road trip. It has taken us sometime to settle but you have never been very far from our thoughts. The experience you have had is so removed from what we all expected. Hopefully your many memories and the kind thoughts of so many have started to soften the sharp edges of your grief. We wonder where you are now and if you have had any heart to plan. We heard you went abroad to perhaps find closure and hope it helped. roy n' marianne wood
ottawa
wood@storm.ca
"My sympathies to Sharon and Gerry"
by Pat Wilson 28 Dec 2004 Dear Sharon and Gerry,
I was so sorry to hear the news in the Mac'69 newsletter about Michael. I have lost touch with you in the past years since university, Sharon, but my memories of our friendship and the fun we had are still strong.
I did not know Michael but after reading the tributes to him I almost feel as though I did to some extent. It is no surprise to me that you and Gerry would have created such a fine young man.
My youngest son is the same age as Michael and I can only imagine the grief and sorrow you have endured.
Please accept my sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Pat Wilson
Brampton, ON
patricia_wilson_7@sympatico.ca
"Lion on the Airstrip"
by Ed Sayer 22 Dec 2004 Sorry for not writing this sooner but I have only just heard about this tribute website. I thought the story might be of interest to family and friends of Mike.
Mike stayed at Mwaleshi Camp, North Luangwa a few times this season.
I think his final trip to Mwaleshi airstrip was the day before he flew to Livingstone, there was a young male lion on the airstrip that refused to move off when Mike landed and just watched Mike land next to him with a casual glance of his head.
As Mike off loaded the guests, he set off to pay his landing fees to the young male lion, much to the amusment of the guests. The young male lion, having realised he had been seen trotted away......
Ed Sayer
North Luangwa
slcsociety@hotmail.com
"To a friend"
by Larry Hall 17 Dec 2004 My deepest condolences to Gerry & Sharon Channer and family for their loss. I wish I had heard about the accident earlier. I will always remember Mike for the good times we had together growing up: the times we were biking, the times we were shooting the BB gun at targets in the barns, playing computer games and just having a good time. Mike was a good friend who I will deeply miss. Larry Hall
Carp, Ontario, Canada
larryjr@cnooc.ca
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