Brink is gone

[av8rjo]

Tom Brink flew off to the wild blue yonder this morning. Apparently he'd been battling pancreatic cancer. I didn't know the guy very well, but I thought it was sad when I heard.

 

[outtahere]

Tom was something else, it is sad that he went out like that. We did not always see eye to eye, actually never, but I always felt that he was fair. God speed.

 

[chperplt]

RIP Tom

 

[MikeSF340]

Only worked under him for a short time, but he seemed like a good guy. Sad to hear about this.

 

[Afraid to Fly]

RIP Captain Brink

 

[dingo222]

tough man with a hell of a career. RIP

 

[Godfather]

Godspeed Colonel/Captain Brink. A good man and soldier with many years of service to our nation.

 

[DX Rick]

Who was he? Where did he work?

 

[Jet41]

Only met the man once, very nice guy. But I have heard stories of what he did in the service of our country, he was a man that defined hero and has the metals to back it up. There are a lot of men walking around today that wouldn't be here if not for Tom. Peace be with you.

 

[porra]

RIP Tom
He was a real good man

 

[79%N1]

Can anyone provide the rest of us with some insight on Tom. Where did he work, where did he serve?

 

[Jet41]

Worked at Colgan, Chief Pilot. If memory serves me correct Army during Vietnam.

 

[CoolSidePillow]

Very sad indeed. He was a good guy. He saw through B.S. and he did not tolerate whining crybabies. He asked quite a bit from people but he knew what it was like to give. I think he served at least one tour in Vietnam and perhaps 3 as a helicopter pilot doing medical evac and S&R. I think he was even shot down. I worked there when he was Chief Pilot at CJC for 3 years. He gave me my initial checkride.
Good-bye Captain.

 

[MalmsteenFan]

He was a great mentor and always had good advice. Gave me my initial checkride. He will be missed. God bless him and his family.

 

[Thurman Merman]

Gave me my upgrade ride, two nights before the ride we were in the bar... never paid for a single drink. Another good man flies west.

 

[great cornholio]

RIP Tom. He actually interviewed me for Colgan and decided to hire me over 5 years ago. I only flew with him a few times. The last time I can remember was a ferry flight back to HEF not too long after he turned 60 he was in a pretty good mood cause he was away from his desk. I didn't even know he was sick, nor did I know the stuff about his past.

 

[suupah]

Good to me. Backed me up a couple of times.

 

[FO 4 Life]

I think he was even shot down.

I think everyone I know who flew helicopters got shot down at least once. I know one guy who dumped two Cobras in the same day.

Sorry to hear the news.

 

[Snaab]

I will always be thankful of Tom Brink because he interviewed then hired me. Walked by his office almost every day when I was based in HEF, and he enjoyed getting up from the desk to chat about the line and things going-on-Colgan. He went to bat for me a couple times and never put up with crybabies- two things I respected.

When he was a chopper pilot in 'Nam, I think he was shot down/shot at while trying to fly an evac. mission. If I'm not mistaken, he saved a few lives and was awarded a high medal. Saw a lot in his day.

Thanks for giving me a chance, Capt. Brink. Rest in peace.

 

[chperplt]

I think everyone I know who flew helicopters got shot down at least once. I know one guy who dumped two Cobras in the same day.

Sorry to hear the news.

I wonder if we know the same guy.... I was in the same squadron with a guy that was shot down twice in one day.

 

[Godfather]

anybody from Colgan or up at Manassas has any info on funeral arrangements, viewing or wake, please pass it on...

thanks

 

[Thurman Merman]

He was awarded the Silver Star for evacuating wounded soldiers off a hill. That same night we were at the bar the story was related to me, not by Capt. Brink but by M.C. M.C. was a contract guy on the Saab we used for the sim in St. Lo. that knew Tom very well...

It was too foggy to extract from the top of the hill so Tom landed at the base took off his flight helmet and opened the door. He put the skid on the ground and would listen for the blade sound to change indicating it was nearing the ground. He inched his way up the hill until he was able to reach the wounded.

Afterward 'Nam, he also flew the OV-1 Mohawk, a fixed wing recon and surveillence aircraft. First memory Item in the OV-1 for an engine failure after take-off was to reduce power on the good engine. He had a couple funny stories on that one that night, but I can't recall.

 

[flyboy006]

Capt. Brink was a great guy.. served our country proud.. I had the opportunity to work with him. great guy, hard but very fair...

 

[climbhappy]

that's sad...Tom was straight up on the rocks, no chaser... I'll liked working for him in 02 and 03

 

[caneylane]

RIP Captain Brink.

 

[eighthours]

Captain Brink gave me a Saab type, a couple of ass chewings and bought me a few beers. He was a good man. Too quick an end for a guy who deserved a long retirement on his boat.
God bless him.

 

[GEORGE DUBYA]

eight hours you need to change your name to 12 hours if you still work at Colgan

 

[Mungusaurus]

RIP Tom.

 

[Kream926]

met the man once when i worked there...straight no BS kinda guy

RIP

 

[flyboy006]

good guy.. will be missed