A final goodbye to a friend

[hillmanr2]

I will be speaking at a freinds memorial tomorrow. No response needed I only want to post my speech. I miss you my freind. Sharing somehow helps

TO Brian Dallas

Hello my name is Russ Hillman and I counted myself lucky to have been one of Brian’s friends. When I first heard about Brian’s passing it hit me very hard. I knew Brian from the local R/C model flying club, Kelowna Ogopogo Radio Controllers. Brian was also a member of the Vernon R/C flying club and was instrumental in not only forming that club but securing them a field. Brian and I worked together with others to help run the Kelowna RC flying club KORC. I knew Brian directly from KORC and R/C flying so this is what I would like to talk about.

Brian loved flying Model airplanes like me. For many of us flying model airplanes and helicopters is a passion and a soulful experience that cannot be explained. Brian always gave so much to the rest of us. He went well above and beyond his normal duties to contribute. No one worked as hard as him for not only KORC, but for modelers everywhere. This I believe was as much of his passion as was actually flying a model. He loved to do things for others with a passion I have never witnessed and probably never will again. I would like to read all of you something I spoke about at a RC club meeting last December:

“To Brian Dallas: for all the behind the scenes work of making this club work. Brian puts in countless hours and a great deal of unseen effort. Brian made sure all the financials were in order, put in the sanctions for various events, updated the membership, processed applications as well as always being available to help out whenever necessary including field repairs. Our club owes Brian a debt which could never be repaid”

Of coarse Brian would have heard this if he was not otherwise occupied with club business at the other end of the room. He commented to me that he had not heard what I said but heard his name so he didn’t know whether to punch me or cry. Between you and me, I think he heard every word. This is the way he was, never wanting recognition for anything. When Brian asked me to do something I always made it priority number 1. When Brian gave me advice I followed that advice to the letter as best I could. The thing is, he was never wrong in giving me advice. Brian was one of the most kind and forgiving person I have met, but at the same time, no one would dare ever cross him, he also had the heart of a lion and the integrity to back it up.

Brian was also my family’s real estate agent. When other people gave me the name of their agent I always declined, and when asked why, I said because Brian would never ever steer me and family wrong, I trusted him implicitly to do the best for our family and I always knew he would.


I will forever treasure the time I spent with Brian, he was a friend, a mentor , a fellow flyer and an all around awesome guy to be around.

Most of all I will miss my friend, thank you