I am sad to inform you that the pilot killed in the very recent air tanker crash fighting a Yosemite fire is Craig Hunt. Craig worked for us as a course assistant teaching general chemistry and organic chemistry labs, usually during the winter months when he got a break from his duties fighting fires in Northern California. Craig's love for teaching led him to enroll in a course-work masters degree program, which he completed during the winter and spring quarters of 2005 and 2006.
From the Cal Fire memorial web page:
Geoffrey "Craig" Hunt was born October 14, 1951, in Richmond, IN. He is survived by his wife, Sally, whom he married September, 1975. Hunt served as a U.S. Navy P3 Pilot from 1975-1984 and was in the reserves for 20 years. Hunt earned a masters in business from the University of Southern California and a masters in biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and served as a chemistry teacher in the off season at UC Santa Cruz. He had a love for flying, golfing, fishing, hiking, bird watching, scuba diving, math/sciences, teaching, and dogs.
In a recent email to the department, Craig wrote: "We've had a busy fire season this summer, working the Morgan fire by Livermore right now. I hope you'll have a position for me next quarter as I certainly enjoy the opportunity [to teach]." (September 15, 2014)
On behalf of the department, my heartfelt condolences to Craig's family, coworkers, and friends.
