Bad News Regarding Charlie Spratt

I just received some very bad news regarding Charlie Spratt. This is a very
tough letter to write.

If you don't know Charlie Spratt - he has been a soaring contest CD
(Competition Director) at many soaring contests around the USA over the last
few decades. He did a great job running soaring contests and has always
been fun to be around. He also enjoyed spending time with "soaring kids" at
contest. He would take kids with him on his soaring contest trips. He is a
great story teller and I very much enjoyed reading his book about his
soaring contest adventures.

After reading the note below, if you are like me, you will want to contact
Charlie, but not know what to say. I'm sure you will agree that sending him
any e-mail or card would be deeply appreciated by Charlie. Please do so
immediately.

Please also say a prayer (or many) for Charlie.

Below is the note I received this morning from someone close to Charlie.

Sincerely,

Paul Remde
__________________________________________________ ________

Hey,

It is with deepest empathy that I file this update.

Dr. Hart met with Charlie, sister Townley, and brother
Julian this morning. I was not in attendance ( I visited
yesterday morning and will be there tomorrow morning).

The brief version is that Charlie has been in hospital for
over two months, the new kidney has not every functioned
to minimal expectations, attempts to properly connect the
kidney to the uterer with a stint have failed, seemingly
endless procedures are fruitless, has not been able to
eat solid food for most of the last six weeks, is sore all over,
unable to walk without assistance, almost unable to even
hold a phone to his ear for a conversation, and has
generally atrophied to what might be a permanent bed
ridden state.

Charlie has decided to go home and will, either tomorrow
or Saturday. I may be wrong, but it is my understanding
that his last dialysis will be before departing hospital. He
will be at home in Hospice care.

Charlie is going home to die and the doctor thinks it may
be two to three or four weeks; these things are almost as
hard to forecast as Charlotte weather.

As close as he is to his family, Charlie has as long as I have
known him (22 years) considered the Soaring Community
his extended family, and the coming of Spring has always
gotten his juices flowing and heart pumping looking forward
the Seniors at Seminole Lakes, Bermuda High (Chester), Perry,
Mifflen, Cordele, Minden, Uvalde, Harris Hill, Montague, Caesar
Creek, Ephrata, many others, and end the season at New Castle
before hibernating into Charlotte. He and I would spend hours
discussing benefits and short coming of different sites, and
more importantly, you the Soaring Family. He will miss you most
of all.

I am sorry for those of you who have not been in touch with him
recently, as I am unsure how much energy he will have in responding
to your calls. I'll be going out again on Tuesday for my On week at
NetJets.

Contact information:

Email ( this might be best as time is short)

Home address:

1431 Montford Drive
Charlotte, NC 28209-3032

Phone: 704-523-2548 ( I'll try to set up a head-set phone if he thinks
it would be beneficial ).

Ciao,

Gale