Des Delatorre has passed away

[Bluesfan]

So very, very sorry to see this news this morning.

Warmest condolences to his family and to all on this forum who have enjoyed and appreciated what he built here.
First his site, with those brilliant build logs, and then this forum, have constantly opened my eyes and taught me things. But the most important thing he did as far as I'm concerned was to help us enjoy our modelling. Much though he made us admire skill and quality and the work of the master modellers - and he was one of the foremost - he made sure there was always room in this forum for other modellers. He was usually one of the first to encourage you, whoever you were. And he kept this place civilised!

I'm very grateful to you Des - many many thanks.

Mark

[Chris Johnson]

I never would've built a rigged aircraft model had it not been for Des. After visiting his site, I reached out through email to ask a question or two and before I knew it, he was coaching me, a complete stranger, through the entire process. That's the kind of man he was; always making time for someone else. I'd like to think a very good friendship developed from there. It wasn't long before I found myself under his wing monitoring at another forum. After that debacle Des started from scratch building this forum which has blossomed over the years into the premier aviation forum on the internet. I'm deeply saddened by his passing as I've lost not only my mentor, but a very good friend. A very good friend indeed.

Blue Skies Des!

Chris

[Ginger Weir]

Very sad news. Let this site remain his memorial.
Thoughts and prayers at this time of huge sadness.

[petero]

My deepest sympathy to Adrienne and all of Des’ family. This forum piqued my interest in WW1 aviation, and I shall remember him whenever I delve into a WNW kit. RIP, Des.

Peter

[radio]

I am very sad to hear that. My condulence to his wife and family.
Best wishes
Martin

[Alexis]

This is very sad news to hear . I send my condolences to his family . You will be truly Des




Terri

[Cajun]

Blue Skies, Des

[Kalt]

Very sad news. My condolences to his wife and friends.
Descansa en paz, Des 

[sobrien]

Wow, This is a great loss,
My condolences to his family and his friends

[steveb]

So sad to hear. Des made this place so welcoming for a newbie like myself.

My heart goes out to his family.

Steve

[RLWP]

I'm not really sure what to say, apart from thank you Des

I shall miss your gentle encouragement

Richard

[iwik]

So sad. His kits were an inspiration for lots of us...
Iwik

[buzby]

I am dumbfounded and deeply shocked with the death news of our friend and mentor.
My heartfelt sympathy to Adrienne and family.

[lcarroll]

    Words are so hard to find at times like this. The world and our modelling fraternity lost a great one with the passing of Des. A kind and gentle man who helped and inspired all of us here in some way. I never met Des in person but over the, now, almost six years that I've been a member of this Forum we Emailed fairly regularly and talked for hours on his "miracle long distance phone plan" as I called it. We got on well and I shall miss him dearly.
   My thoughts are with Adrienne and his family and my thanks to you for sharing Des with all of us.
   Blue skies and soft landings Des, you will be missed........
Lance

[Trackpad]

I read this news and I understand this news but I simply do not want to believe this news. Sharon and I send our most heartfelt sympathy to Adrienne and to the entire Delatorre family. To paraphrase a well-known quote from Shakespeare, “He was a man, take him for all in all, we shall not look upon his like again.”

God Bless and Godspeed, Des, and Blue Skies all the way. I'm sure that you and Dan-San are getting long famously!