Family, friends and members of southern Alberta’s aviation community are mourning the loss of Bill Lovse, the 61-year-old pilot whose life ended in a tragic crash near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.
Lovse was the only occupant of a small passenger plane which crashed Saturday afternoon shortly after takeoff near the Lloydminister airport.
According to RCMP, the Cessna hit the ground before sliding into the side of a home. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family and friends gathered at the home of Lovse’s father Sunday in southeast Calgary to remember Bill.
Steph Stephansson, a friend of Lovse, says the aviation community is shocked and saddened by the loss.
“He was a safe guy, like we all have to be,” said Stephansson. “Bill was a very concerned, cautious, and well trained pilot.
“We know there are risks in flying. When it happens to one of our own, there’s a deeper effect.”
Lovse was in Lloydminster after flying a friend, country music star George Canyon, to the central Alberta town for a performance of the Huron Carole concert.
Canyon released the following statement after hearing of the death of Lovse.
“I have just lost a dear friend who was not just an aviation buddy, we shared an interest in sports and often played hockey together. He and I have flown many times all over the place. I am devastated with the news and my prayers and thoughts are all with his family and friends.”
Lovse earned a degree as a civil engineer but returned to school to train as a land surveyor and started his own company.
The family says Lovse was known for his strong work ethic, a trait he instilled into his two adult daughters.
“He set high standards,” said Lovse’s brother-in-law Pat Hertz. “(His daughters) both have engineering degrees. One is a doctor, and one will continue (Bill’s) company.”
With files from CTV's Ina Sidhu
