Still Stunned With Grief, Employees Say Goodbye To Gary Schmidt

(One of the toughest aspects of this job is trying to cover a tragedy. That's what the loss of Tanis Aircraft Services President Gary Schmidt was last month. Schmidt and a friend were flying home from Florida to Minnesota when their aircraft went down not far from their destination. Both men were lost. When we first talked with the folks at Tanis, they were overcome with emotion -- Gary was being laid to rest and only volunteers manned the phones at the shop. Those volunteers promised they would let us know when they were able to talk. We received this on Tuesday. -- ed.)

Tanis Aircraft in Glenwood, MN is saddened to report the death of its owner and President, Gary E. Schmidt in an aircraft accident near the Glenwood Airport on December 9, 2004.

Gary purchased Tanis Aircraft Services in January 2002, from the family of Peter Tanis, the company's founder.

Having had a long career in marketing with West Publishing in St. Paul, MN, he used his skills to initiate a plan to promote Tanis products worldwide.

Starting with Alaska the company participated in Aviation Shows and seminars throughout the US and Canada, the highlight being the EAA air show in Oshkosh, WI. He had just begun an advertising campaign to include Europe and Scandinavia.

Enthusiastic by nature, Gary encouraged company employees to "think outside the box!" This resulted in the development of new products including cabin preheaters, both floor mat and ceramic versions, expansion of helicopter preheater models, engine preheater options to accommodate the popular engine analyzers, remote on/off systems for Tanis Products.

It also resulted in new aircraft canopy covers, products for emergency medical systems and others still in the development stages.He promoted programs to encourage fixed base operators to use and promote Tanis products with special membership benefits and technicians kits.

Aviation safety was always foremost in Gary's mind. He was a strong advocate for aircraft engine preheating for safer and convenient cold weather starts. In his opinion it was a sure way to prolong engine life,reduce maintenance and improve safety. In fact, he presented seminars and workshops on the topic as well as publishing several articles on the subject. Also, whenever he traveled he took the opportunity to visit customers and aviation related businesses always asking questions to learn about solving problems involved with cold weather flying. Often this resulted in mutual alliances to promote aviation safety in cold temperatures.

As a tribute to Gary, the company will continue to offer Tanis Cold Weather products as it has in the past from the airport near Glenwood, MN. It will also expand an "out of the box" product line Gary initiated three years ago by Gary.

(Gary Schmidt has gone west, taking with him the love and admiration of the people who worked for him at Tanis Aircraft. Happy trails, Gary. It's obvious you will be -- you are -- dearly missed. -- ed.)

FMI: www.tanair.com