I got some very troubling and sad news yesterday. One of our own is losing a long battle with cancer.

Tridude here on the forum otherwise known as Don Leech if you've had the honor of meeting him in person has fought a valiant battle with cancer for years now. It always seemed that his life of military service and striving for peak physical fitness, was carrying him through the battle each time the cancer popped up. The treatments would knock him down a notch and then he would bounce back to recover. It was a hard battle each time and even though he wore a proud face, the regimen of treatments was a brutal task for any body no matter how strong to stand hard against. I wouldn't wish Don's path on my worst enemy. No one deserves to have to go through this, especially a great guy like Don.

Don has probably been the most influential person in my kiting life. He was there when I flew my first Flysurfer, PL arc, did my first body drag in the water, and was my instructor to learn to ride on the water. It was with his kite, board and patient instruction that I first linked some turns on the water and worked my way upwind. He was always articulate, encouraging, and certainly patient with our hours of conversations on the phone over the years. He also jumped at the chance to hit the road to meet up with fellow kiters. Like many of the SOFKA crew, if someone was going to be on a beach in SC, or GA, he was on the road to share in the fellowship of joining on a beach or even leaving his coastal paradise to come ride with friends at OOBE field in Aiken, SC.

I bought my third kite from Don, having met him here on PKF and with the plan to meet up at an HQ demo day at Jekyll Island. After striking a deal that we both liked, he called me one day before we met up and told me he had taken a good thorough look at the 5m HQ Crossfire and there was some fraying on one of the power line bridles. He wanted me to know about the issue and that he wasn't comfortable selling me the kite until it was resolved. He made a temporary repair on it and arranged to get a replacement of the part from HQ before he was comfortable going through with the sale. Honest to the core.

I hope many of you have at a minimum enjoyed and learned from Don from his posts here on PKF, and even better if you've had the distinct honor of meeting him and riding with him in person.

My emotions are pretty raw right now, and I'm certain I haven't done my best job of honoring a great friend, father to 3 awesome children, loving husband to his wife, and fellow kiter. Join with me in a heartfelt hand in the air to send off one of our best.

Sorry pick you up wrong.

Cancer is a total bastard.
Been too many funeral of family and friend's.
It's hard on the person and there family and friends who are left
After they're gone.
But that's life.

NO!

Hope you're ok Bob.

Sorry to hear this Bobby.
We missed him at JIBE this year.
Thoughts and prayers go out to tridude!

Deeply saddened... Don sold me my 15m Phanny. It was my first Arc. He was full of information and encouragement to join the D'arc side.

Sad news indeed.

Thoughts and prayers to Don and his family.

I believe Don was the original owner of PKD Combat I bought from you.

ATB,
Sam

That is a sad end to a valiant fight. Don, DaVinch and I all bought Begos around the same time way back in the day and even traded a few amongst ourselves. Don also bought my 6m Pulse II when he learned it just wasn't a good fit for me. I enjoyed talking to him thru this forum in the early days and have missed his presence over the years. He will be missed. My prayers are with him and his family.

condolences to all family and friends....you were obviously lucky to spend time w/ the man

Geez Bobby, sux to hear. Tridude was a staple and though I never met him personally you still get a sense of who somebody is through the forum. It's too bad. My condolences to his family and friends.

Never met him either but sounds like a man of our own heart. Condolences to family and friends. I sincerely hope we all get to ride with those we have not met in the heavens when it's our time.

Don is the real deal - he's lived life true and he made a big impression on anyone that had the opportunity to spend time with him. We had the brief pleasure of spending JIBE with him a few years ago and missed him last year. When he knew we were driving down he had extended and invitation to make a pit stop passing by his place for a morning coffee etc but we were on the road very very early and passed by and he wasn't able to make it to JIBE - I really regret not being able to make that stop and see him one more time. His wisdom on working a board in the water surfing or SUPingwas a great sharing experience.
Sad news, thoughts and prayers to Don and his family.

I'm making arrangements to get back to visit him asap. Hoping for this weekend if flights work out.

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob

I'm making arrangements to get back to visit him asap. Hoping for this weekend if flights work out.

Please tell him that our thoughts are with him.

It really sux when bad things happen to good people. Don is one of the best. Please let him know that all of our prayers are with him and his family.

How Sad,

I bought my Pulse off of Don. 1 more reason that I am never likely to sell that kite. Don is one of those folks on here that although we never met I feel we are old friends.

I still want to think he is tough enough to win this battle but Bob's news doesn't sound too promising.

Thanks for everything Don!

:bigok:

Aw man that sux ! Prayers go out to Don and his family. He WILL be missed.

man this tough news

Lots of pics of Don on the JIBE forum archives for anyone wanting some good pics! :saint:
Courtesy of Phree!

I meet Don at a "Chilie Run OOBE Field" a few years back and he was such a nice man.
I was hoping he would make it to JIBE 15. I made him a couple of special survivor event tees. I did send them to him and I hope he has enjoyed them.
This is a great loss to our small community of power kiters and I'm so sorry for this family and friends. He's in my prayers.

Met Don, and his son at Jibe a couple of years back, had many phone conversations with him, he was the best. Never met a man that has endured what he had with the several bouts of cancer and still have such a positive outlook on life. Always smiling, never complained just got in his buggy and went. While we were there he didn't get on his board though, would love to have seen that!

I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting you Don, but I look forward to it. Here or there. You have had a tremendously positive impact on many of those here whom we call friends, and on the sport we love and share. I can only imagine your impact in the other areas of your life.

My thoughts and prayers, for strength and peace, are with you and your family.

Thank you.

Like Davis said above, I also met Don at the last OOBE Field Chili Run 3 years ago. After signing the "don't sue me if you break your neck" papers with Chris (Pokite) in the kite fort, I stepped out to see Kevin knkmanthey being drug across the field by Don's 5m Best Waroo (I think) under his tutelage... So I had an opportunity to meet him in person and again at JIBE once or twice... He's the one I always remember who told us "When you learn to fly in this crappy wind (Referring to the inland jank) and be successful, you can really be great when you hit the beach and ride the clean winds!"

I think I too have a kite that was once one of Don's, a 3.5m PL reactor II custom made for a PL team rider, later owned by BeamerBob too.

Much love to the Leech family for willingly sharing Don with us. Prayers are sent up for the family for sure.

Heartbreaking news. Great man. Always exuded positivity. Loved to share his knowledge and passion. Bobby, I'm glad you are trying to get back to see him.

Never met Don but he seems like a great, positive guy.

Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Aw jeez... I thought he had it on the run

Best wishes Don, and family...

When we met at JIBE it was like we'd known each other for years. One of the best. A person that you felt nothing but positive vibes from
despite what was going on within him. The fight is hard and it was long. I hope he finds peace. We have all gained from his time with us.

A little bittersweet because initially I misread your post.. so I am glad he is still fighting.

Sad new indeed.

Well I learned late last night that Don lost his well fought battle. He was strong and positive until the moment he became unresponsive.

Phreerider picked me up at the airport so we could go visit with Don and I feel very blessed to have gotten to share his last days with him and his wonderful family. He will be missed greatly.

Glad you made it back to get a few days with him. He will definitely be sorely missed.
R.I.P. Mi Amigo. Great to have shared time with you on the beach. Rest well!

I just got the call from Bobby.

The sky just got darker over Jekyll Island.

Glad that Bobby and Chad were able to get to Don and his family, representing the kite community.

Don was among my first customers. He asked me about a de-power kite - he hadn't yet flown one. I had a Flexifoil Sabre II I could ship to him but I was concerned. Then he modestly explained that he was ex Air Force Special Forces and that he used to parachute in to bad places to help downed airmen. So I mentally checked off "risk management skills" and sent him the kite. Couple of days later he was telling me about jumping a fence with it! Sheesh.

We'll miss him for sure.