Denver Post
June 29, 2010
Brighton flier was "great pilot" - Jon Wenzel built a glider in 1942 in a barn. A wall had to be removed so he could get it out.
Jon Wenzel wanted a plane all his life, and he finally got one in 2003 - an ultralight aircraft that he flew as often as he could.
On June 23, the craft crashed northeast of Fort Lupton, and Wenzel died. He was 86.
"He loved to fly and flew every chance he got," said his daughter, Carol Meyer of Wheatland, Wyo.
A service is planned for today at 10 a.m. at Zion Congregational Church in Brighton.
Early speculation was that Wenzel was doing aerial stunts, but friends and family said the craft wasn't suited for stunt flying.
"I strongly doubt Jon was doing aerobatics," said Mark Holliday of Fort Lupton, a former airline pilot who is one of the owners of the Platte Valley Airport near Hudson, where Wenzel flew in and out. "Jon always exercised good judgment."
The Weld County Sheriff's Office said the wings collapsed and the plane spiraled to the ground. The family is waiting for the coroner's report for the cause of death.
Wenzel was always active and loved anything connected with speed, his daughter said.
"He was an ambitious guy," said son Jim Wenzel of Brighton. "No rocking chair for him."
Gerry Coe of Hudson, a pilot who had flown with Wenzel in the two-seater about three months ago, said, "He was a great pilot."
Wenzel usually flew on weekdays to avoid crowds and never flew if there was a chance the weather would be bad, his family said. The aircraft somewhat resembled a hang glider, with fabric covering the aluminum wings.
"Dad was always optimistic and survived whatever life threw at him because he believed that in the blink of an eye everything can change," said his daughter.
Wenzel built a glider in 1942 in his barn, and when it was finished the wall of the barn had to be removed to get it out, said son David Wenzel of Brighton.
Jonathon Wenzel was born on a farm near Brighton on May 4, 1924, and went to high school in Brighton.
He married Shirley Feit on May 26, 1945. She died in 1998.
He later married Linda Limmerman.
He wanted to fly for the military, but bad eyesight and migraines prevented that, said his daughter.
He owned Jon's Repair about 3 miles outside Lochbuie, and his son Jim now runs the shop. Jon Wenzel could repair cars, tractors or airplanes.
In addition to his wife, sons and daughter, Wenzel is survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters.
Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223
or vculver@denverpost.com
On June 23, the craft crashed northeast of Fort Lupton, and Wenzel died. He was 86.
"He loved to fly and flew every chance he got," said his daughter, Carol Meyer of Wheatland, Wyo.
A service is planned for today at 10 a.m. at Zion Congregational Church in Brighton.
Early speculation was that Wenzel was doing aerial stunts, but friends and family said the craft wasn't suited for stunt flying.
"I strongly doubt Jon was doing aerobatics," said Mark Holliday of Fort Lupton, a former airline pilot who is one of the owners of the Platte Valley Airport near Hudson, where Wenzel flew in and out. "Jon always exercised good judgment."
The Weld County Sheriff's Office said the wings collapsed and the plane spiraled to the ground. The family is waiting for the coroner's report for the cause of death.
Wenzel was always active and loved anything connected with speed, his daughter said.
"He was an ambitious guy," said son Jim Wenzel of Brighton. "No rocking chair for him."
Gerry Coe of Hudson, a pilot who had flown with Wenzel in the two-seater about three months ago, said, "He was a great pilot."
Wenzel usually flew on weekdays to avoid crowds and never flew if there was a chance the weather would be bad, his family said. The aircraft somewhat resembled a hang glider, with fabric covering the aluminum wings.
"Dad was always optimistic and survived whatever life threw at him because he believed that in the blink of an eye everything can change," said his daughter.
Wenzel built a glider in 1942 in his barn, and when it was finished the wall of the barn had to be removed to get it out, said son David Wenzel of Brighton.
Jonathon Wenzel was born on a farm near Brighton on May 4, 1924, and went to high school in Brighton.
He married Shirley Feit on May 26, 1945. She died in 1998.
He later married Linda Limmerman.
He wanted to fly for the military, but bad eyesight and migraines prevented that, said his daughter.
He owned Jon's Repair about 3 miles outside Lochbuie, and his son Jim now runs the shop. Jon Wenzel could repair cars, tractors or airplanes.
In addition to his wife, sons and daughter, Wenzel is survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters.
Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223
or vculver@denverpost.com