I met Dave in about 1968 or 1969 when I was working with a mutual friend, Hezzie Strahan, at a small truck shop down below Aero Acres on Leland Road. Hezzie introduced me to Jim Wasson with the idea that I would help Jim paint his T-6, which I did. That activity included Dave.

Some years later, Dave provided the introduction that got me a job at Portland Wire and Iron Works; one that turned out to be an important step in my career.

I had been infected with the flying bug long before I met Dave and he contributed to my affliction by letting me (even encouraging me to) fly his airplanes for nothing. I put a lot of hours on his Stinson 108 and his Piper J-4. Took the Stinson to California a couple of times. Never got to fly the PT, though.

Frank put it perfectly when he said Dave would give you the shirt off his back. I’ve used that same phrase many, many times. Dave was one of the most generous men I’ve ever met. And Lillian deserves the same tribute. I never showed up at their home when the coffee pot wasn’t on or when I wasn’t pressured to have something to eat.

Back to flying his airplanes for nothing: I had to fight with Dave to even let me put gas in ‘em. He didn’t have fuel at his place, so I would usually stop at Oregon City (Carus) and top off before returning to Aero Acres. If I left the airplane less than full, he would fill it up and say nothing.

Later in his life, I cut down a birch tree, cut it and split it and delivered a pickup load of firewood to Dave. He was clearly touched by the small gesture. I mention it because it’s the only time in 40 years I ever got one up on Dave Pflegl. He was always doing things for me and it was very difficult to do anything in return.

I never got on the wrong side of Dave and think few did. He made friends instead of enemies. But he was a man of principle and held strong beliefs. It would not have been good to cross him.

Dave Pflegl was one of the finest men I knew. I’m a better person for having known him and am proud he called me friend. His death is the world’s loss.

Sorry that I was not on this hunt with you and the old gang. I believe that you had old Chuck Megeske, George Reed and LT on that hunt. I know you guys saw a lot of buck on that place. The NW Hunting Team was a great adventure of the days past. That horse trailer and the 2 horses Czar & Uncle Dave’s Brandy traveled many a miles into the back country. Maybe next time I will have time to go! It is time to go on a mission…

Bone

Bill Campbell was married to Diane McBroom, daughter of Helen and Rollin McBroom. Rollin was first cousin to my grandmother, Merle Oliver Gibbs. Rollin’s mother and Merle’s mother were sisters. Their parents, Eleazer and Nancy Robbins Gilliam, were early East Oregon pioneers who homesteaded the land on which you hunted.

The writing on the walls of The Cabin was one of my biggest memories of it. Another was that big kitchen table. Also, the rock fireplace was constructed during my first visit there, when I was probably only about 6 or 7 years old. I rode out in the truck with the men when they scavenged the area for just the right rocks, and I also got to help spread the mortar.

My grandparents had told us that the area around The Cabin had been used by the Umatilla Indians as a hunting ground, and they urged us to keep an eye out for arrowheads. I looked every summer. Finally, as a teenager, I decided that was kind of silly, so I quite looking. Voila! That was the summer I found an arrowhead, and it has been a treasure all these years.

I didn’t spend much time around Bill, but your description of him fits my memories exactly.

When I discovered your blog, I was trying to figure out the address of the ranch on East Birch Creek Road. Using Google, I entered the words “East Birch Creek Road” Pilot Rock Campbell. Voila! What an amazing find. I have forwarded the link to my mother and sisters.

I can’t thank you enough for bringing these memories back to life.

WE WILL ALL MISS HIM AND HIS SPIRIT OF HUNTING AND FISHING SUCCESS. HE WAS A GOOD FATHER AND A CARING INDIVIDUAL. HE HELPED EVERYONE WHO NEEDED IT, EVEN WITHOUT THEM ASKING.

OUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND CERTAINLY ALL HIS FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER HIM AS LONG AS THEY LIVE. WE ARE ALL BETTER OFF TO HAVE KNOWN HIM AND TO HAVE LIVED, HUNTED, FISHED AND FLOWN WITH HIM FOR SO VERY MANY YEARS. THANK YOU COUSIN.

DAVID FRANK PFLEGL(BUTCH)

Bone Dog O’Meara