The Marlows Ride Again
Beverly Marlow leads the way in a Globe Swift during the Celebration of Life held October 18, 2003, for her late husband Dick Marlow.

Story Corrected 10/21/2003 -- New Update Added...

July 4, 2003. Things seemed normal enough to Bruce Marlow as he sat in the cockpit of his Piper Commanche and watched his father, Dick Marlow, and Mother, Beverly Marlow, begin their takeoff run at Truckee in Dick's beautifully restored 1946 Globe Swift cabin plane. Bruce diverted his attention to his checklist as the aircraft sped down the runway. His father's Swift began it's upwind climbout, then halted abruptly pitching nose high into the sky. The aircraft fell inverted and crashed to the right of the departure runway on an intersecting strip.

Bruce looked up in horror when he heard the words through his radio: "The Swift is down! The Swift is down!"

Arriving at the scene, rescuers found that Dick Marlow had perished in the accident. Though still under investigation, medical issues Dick encountered during takeoff are currently seen as the probable cause.

Trapped in the wreckage: Bruce's Mother, critically injured. Extricating her was a long and painful process for her and the rescuers. Uninjured in the accident, Dick and Beverly's tiny dog, "Piper," had left the cockpit and was no where to be found. She was found in good condition 45 minutes later resting beneath a rescue helicopter.

Airlifted to the nearest Medical Center, Beverly was examined and and treated for her injuries. Her head and body suffered severe trauma. The doctors prepared the family for the worse, believing that she would not survive. Two weeks later, a tracheotomy was performed and a respirator inserted to assist her breathing.

More weeks passed. Beverly did indeed survive, but once again, the doctors prepared the family for another scenario: she would likely never walk again and would likely be hospital-bound.

Even more time passed. Three weeks ago, Beverly Marlow surprised them all. Beverly walked for the first time since the accident, leaving many of her family friends in amazement over this miracle, if not awe in regards to her strength and perseverance.

Yesterday, at a Celebration of Life for her husband Dick, she not only walked from a Golf Cart to the plane, she actually boarded the Globe Swift -- the same type in which her life had nearly been lost -- and flew several fly pasts, including as the "Missing Man" aircraft for her husband's Missing Man Formation tribute.

Her two children Bruce and Cathy, plus her grandson Brian flew alongside in three other Globe Swifts.

The Marlows trace their heritage to the Marlow Brothers, a purported gang of Oklahoma outlaws who were in reality, innocent men falsely accused of crimes they did not commit. Three of the brothers were murdered by a mix of lawmen and vigilantes before their innocence was proclaimed by a Federal magistrate.

At 4:00 p.m. PST at Nevada County Airport, Grass Valley, California, four more Marlows took their place as Riders in the Sky, in a final loving tribute to a fallen fifth. The day before, Bruce had delivered his father's ashes by air to the wilderness he loved so...the Gold Country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains north of Auburn.

This night, all have found closure and rest, along with a day of sanctuary and loving-kindness within the arms of 200 friends and loved ones who appeared to celebrate Dick Marlow's life yesterday afternoon.

This was Beverly's first flight since the accident, which she does not remember, nor the sixteen days that followed, a portion of which were spent in a coma. Beverly is in her early seventies.

Of the many Bravehearts that have existed over time, Beverly's own fragile but courageous heart deserves such acclaim.

Likewise, their daughter Cathy deserves the same. She never got the opportunity to fly with her father, the very fear of an accident keeping her on the ground. Regretting that missed opportunity, she conquered her fear and took her first flight in a Globe Swift this day.

Bravehearts all, really. Tomorrow morning, they must awaken to a new dawn and their respective lives without their beloved husband, father and grandfather. For Beverly, her new source of light was found in her family, her friends, and the multitude of children that surrounded her this day.

For her children and grandson, their source of light was knowing all the lives Dick Marlow had touched.

Dick and Bev have been married for 53 years.

Dick Marlow -- Page 2

Below: The Missing Man climbs with Beverly Marlow in the right seat.