Dear Members,
It is with a sad heart that I must tell you that our dear friend and fellow kite flyer Ray Bethell passed away yesterday. Ray has been an honorary member of the BCKA for many many years. He was well known as a local multiple sport kite maker and flyer. He passed many happy hours kite flying at his home flying field at Vanier Park. Well known to many spectators as “that tanned skin man who flies three kites at once”, Ray amazed spectators locally at our Pacific Rim Kite Festival as well as internationally at the Washington State International Kite Festival, and as far away as England, Italy, France, Guam, and other places around the world.
I had the pleasure of flying with Ray when I first got into sport kite flying. He was a patient and kind teacher, who enjoyed sharing his passion of kites with others. Ray was always the first flyer at Vanier Park, enthusiastic to help set up the flying field, and get his kites in the air.
Ray will be fondly remembered by all who had the fortunate experience of knowing him. May he rest in peace, and as his honorary bench at Vanier Park reminds us: “Ray: May the wind be always at your back”
I am awaiting news from Ray’s family as to a memorial lunch that is being planned in his honor. I will let you know when I get more details.
Sincerely, Cathie Jung
An excellent video of Ray at work