Flying Doctors pilot Guenther dies in March airplane crash
By Shari Kaplan
Los Gatos resident Henry "Hank" Guenther died March 6 in San Jose, after instruments failed in his twin-engine airplane, causing it to crash. He was 62.
Born in Mexico but raised in Canada, Guenther was a licensed pilot who flew his Cessna 435 Corsair on many flights to Mexico with Los Medicos Voladores--The Flying Doctors. The nonprofit group comprises doctors, dentists, optometrists, ophthalmologists and other professionals who donate their time and skills to care for needy children and adults at no charge.
Guenther also flew to Mexico on missionary trips through his church, South Valley Christian, as well as sometimes just to enjoy time in his Cabo San Lucas vacation home.
"If you were a friend of Hank's, you were a good friend. He was very giving and never took advantage of anyone. And he loved playing Santa Claus," remembers longtime friend Jack Chamberlain, a Los Gatos dentist who volunteers with The Flying Doctors. In fact, he would have been a passenger on Guenther's final flight had he not changed his plans at the last minute.
Chamberlain and Guenther also had something else in common--an interest in ice hockey and season tickets to San Jose Sharks games. It was at a game against a Canadian team that Chamberlain says he noticed what a surprisingly good singing voice Guenther had but rarely used. Still loyal to his former Canadian home, Guenther sang both the Canadian and American national anthems.
"Hank was very much in command of any situation. He was always giving. Every subject turned into 'How can I help?'" adds Los Gatan Don Wolf, another good friend of Guenther's and a fellow Flying Doctors pilot. "The work will go on. I'm sure that's what Hank would want. I'm sure he wouldn't want us to stop on his account."
For 25 years, Guenther was also the owner of The Saddle Rack, California's largest country-western nightclub, which he sold in 2001.
Guenther was also an active member of the South Valley Christian Church.
Survivors include son and daughter-in-law Gerry and Leslie Guenther of San Jose; son Randy Guenther and fiancée Cathy Harper of San Jose; grandchildren Kyle, Tyler and Tory Guenther of San Jose; mother Agetha Guenther of Canada; and siblings Abraham, Elizabeth, Mary, Helen and Jake.
Memorial services have been held, with interment at Los Gatos Memorial Park. Donations can be made to South Valley Christian Church, 590 Shawnee Lane, San Jose, 95123
|
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
