Dearest Benni, Kevin and Dean,

Susan and I were shattered to hear of the death of your beloved husband and dad today. What a terrible waste of a fine man and aviator. Not forgetting co-pilot Colonel Rama Iyre who also passed away. I had the pleasure of first meeting Des / Dad at Oshkosh in 2009 with you two guys. It was such an honour to meet my hero and I hung onto his every word. Since that time, I have listened to a number of Des’ / Dad’s lectures and his guest appearances on many talk shows. What an aviator!

I have been privileged to have Des and you Benni as my guests at a number of RAFOC lunches and dinners. I was delighted that Des and you Benni attended the launch party for my Mirage F1 model in October 2019 at my hangar. What an honour for me. I am also thrilled to have Des’ picture, alongside his beautiful Mirage, on a wall in my Mancave. I also have in my library two books which he wrote and kindly autographed for me. They will all be treasured. Des was a ‘hell’ of a pilot and all we ‘weekend warriors’ were in awe of him. Oh! For such a career!

His passing is not only devastating for you - his family, but also for the thousands in his fan club, for the SAAF and for aviation in South Africa. Des / Dad was an icon in his own lifetime. Susan joins me in sending you all our deepest condolences and pray that God will give you the strength to get through the next few months.

Fortunately, time is a healer. Wherever and whenever the funeral or memorial service is held, rest assured we and countless others will be there to support you all.

RIP Major General Des Barker SAAF (retired).

May the angels carry you safely to that big airfield in the sky and perhaps we may fly together again sometime in the future.

With much love and deepest sympathy

Gordon and Susan Dyne.