We bring you the sad news that yesterday, August 20, 2019, Flip Colmer died in a general aviation aircraft accident shortly after take-off, along with friend Jim Tafralian. At this point, we have no further details.
Pat Scannon spoke with Rebecca (Flip’s wife of 25 years) last night and, as per his wishes, Flip has already donated organs and will be cremated. He asked for no funeral. Rebecca plans to have a celebration of Flip’s life at a time as yet undecided. She is holding up incredibly well and, as you might imagine, is surrounded by friends and fellow aviators.
Flip lived a life of service as a Naval Aviator and continued his service to the American people through his more than 18 years of dedicated work with Project Recover and the BentProp Project. His selfless efforts resulted in the location of lost Americans and their ultimate repatriation back to loved ones. Flip also kept his eye on America’s future and created BentProp’s mentoring program, starting with the Stockbridge High School kids sharing missions with us
in Palau. That mentoring program is growing today as an important part of Project Recover’s mission – and Flip’s legacy.
Flip was a happy, caring person and special light in all of our lives. Whether you knew Flip directly or not, each of us is better through the impact he has made on us. We will miss him beyond any words but his spirit will fly with us forever.
With a heavy heart, we create this memorial page for Flip Colmer who passed in an aircraft accident August 20, 2019. Flip is survived by his wife, Rebecca, of 25 years.
As one of Project Recovers Flag bearers, he took the responsibility of holding the US flag from the flag ceremony on-site over an MIA find. The flags were entrusted to Flip until the time came for the repatriation of the MIA, no matter how long that would be. When the MIA was finally brought home for burial, Flip would personally show up to hand deliver the flag to the family.
Respectfully,
Derek, Pat, Val, Dan, and Dan
For more information please join Flip's Memorial Group. We encourage you to invite friends to post your photos and storys of Flip Colmer.
