Tragic pilot had ‘a heart of gold’

THE Jewish community has been rocked by the sudden death of 28-year-old Ben Glattstein.

The young pilot was flying a single-engine plane when it crashed minutes after take-off from the Hollister Municipal Airport in California last Thursday morning.

The Chevra Kadisha in Sydney was expected to be overflowing today (Thursday) for the former Moriah College student’s funeral, due to take place at 2pm.

Reflecting on the hundreds of tributes posted on a Facebook page set up in Glattstein’s honour, his brother Danny told The AJN, “The affection for Ben here and around the world speaks for itself.

“Our love for Ben is deep.”

The sentiment was echoed by Glattstein’s sister Ruthie, who posted a message on Facebook thanking friends for their comments. “We were truly blessed to have such an amazing brother and son,” she said.

“He was a top guy with a heart of gold. Our hearts are torn, we feel pain and sorrow.

“From time to time, we get on Facebook and just read and look at his life through your pictures.

“Thank you for your blessings and your insights into Ben’s life.”

Glattstein graduated from Moriah College in 1999 and four years later moved to America to study at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

He was flying from America back to Australia for a wedding of one of his close friends when his plane came down en route to Hawaii at 6.35am on Thursday morning.

Jamie Enoch, whose wedding Glattstein was due to attend, said the young pilot took the most out of life and that he considered himself fortunate to call him a friend.

“He had a passion for aviation which took him to amazing places, provided countless adventures and the opportunity to make amazing friendships all around the world,” Enoch said.

“He brought the best out of me, I will miss him for the rest of my life and remember the amazing times we shared forever.”

Another close friend David Fridman recalled Glattstein’s tremendous sense of humour and passion for life.

“Since childhood he always knew what he wanted, to be a pilot and see the world, and even though he was taken from us far too early, in his 28 years he achieved more of his dreams than anyone else I have had the pleasure of calling a friend,” Fridman said.

US local sheriff Rick Uribe, who attended the scene of the crash, said there was debris everywhere.

“They [the witnesses] saw the plane in a downward movement,” he said.

“Upon impact, they observed what they believe was dust, which could have been debris.”

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach will hold a memorial for Glattstein on December 12 and it will be streamed live online.

JOSHUA LEVI