This article was first published in the Australian Gliding magazine, March 1987.
GEOFF CHAMPLIN
Well-known glider pilot, instructor and tug pilot, Geoff Champlin of the Wimmera Soaring Club, passed away in Melbourne on 1 November, 1986 as a result of injuries received in a collision between his car and a train at Dooen near Horsham Aerodrome.
Geoff, who was 42, is survived by his wife Jan and baby son Matthew who was born last August.
Geoff gave up teaching in 1977 to become an aircraft engineer and at the time of his death was self-employed in that field.
Geoff was an invaluable asset at W.S.C., lavishing lots of tender loving care on the tug plane as well as imparting his vast experiences in flying, both in the air and on the ground, to all interested listeners.
His stories were the highlight of the day after a days flying. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.