Karl's funeral will be at 2.00 pm on Wednesday 13th December at Portchester Crematorium.
I have absolutely no idea where to start. The news that Karl unexpectedly passed away on the morning of 1st December came so out of the blue it just doesn't seem real.
Anyone who ever spent time with Karl couldn't fail to like him. If you had to define a good friend and great company, Karl was it. Easy going, funny, helpful, unassuming, very generous; a good person to spend time with. I was lucky enough to have spent a fair bit of time with Karl over the last 10 years or so, but right now it's hard not to focus on the times work got in the way and opportunities were missed - a salutary lesson.
Of course all our thoughts are now with Terri and Leanne. The bonds between them were clear for all to see and I hope the knowledge that they shared something special will help them a little now.
Speaking with a close friend about Karl on Friday we very soon concluded that if all your memories of someone brought a smile to your face then clearly they were doing something right. Unfortunately it also means they'll be greatly missed as people like that don't grace our lives as often as we'd like.
I have so many great memories of Karl. The obvious dozens of nights away with the Swillers at the top of their game. The late nights of the Viking Race in 98. Hopping on a ferry to La Madeleine and La Muela for a few weeks because it was the quickest way out of the country when the events of 9/11 cancelled our planned trip to the Reno Air Races - looks like we'll never get to share that experience now. Our first trip to Corfu where Karl and Terri vowed to return and get married there. Our second trip to Corfu where Karl and Terri got married there! The excellent Funbus trip to La Muela in 2005. Those are just scratching the surface and within each of them there are a thousand great memories.
Thanks Karl for being one of the good guys; you'll be missed.
There are lots of messages and stories that friends would like to share printed below. There are three particularly special messages from Terri, Leanne and Shelley immediately below. In addition to all of these I have received another 20 or 30 e-mails from people who just wanted someone to know Karl had touched their lives in a positive way and how much he'll be missed..
Kevin Newton
Terri Pashley
Thank you all so much for you kind tributes, it has meant a lot to myself and Leanne.
I was blessed with having 14 years with Karl and I will never regret any of it. As you all know Karl wasn't just my husband; he was also my best friend. It is so nice to have been remembered by people from the RC Hotel. 100% good guy loved by many.
Shelley Webb
My younger brother Karl, left us suddenly on the 1st December leaving our family shocked, devastated and saddened. After looking at this website and reading all these happy memories and his escapades from friends, it has given us great comfort to know that he has touched so many lives and left many happy memories.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
There are many words to describe him; fun, generous, kind hearted, clown, considerate, loveable rogue, witty, cyclops! (his own nickname I might add) and many, many more.
Never to be forgotten, my heart is breaking, you left too soon and I miss you so much.
Rest in Peace Karlos, my little brother, love Shelley.
Leanne 4-12-06
I wish you didn't have to go,
but it must've been for a reason.
I will miss you more and more each day,
every week, every month, every season.
I know that we weren't blood related,
and that is really sad.
But in my heart and hopefully yours,
you will always be my dad.
I will look after mum don't you worry,
we will cope in the end but not in a hurry.
Me and mum don't really know what to do,
we feel like disappearing so we can be with you.
But that would be silly, we need to get trough,
and that's all I have to say apart from...
I LOVE YOU
- Updated 12-12-06 above with a message from Karl's sister.
- Updated 12-12-06 by Rod Welleand - see below.
- Updated 7-12-06 with a few photos from Mike Shellim - see below.
- Updated 7-12-06 by Paul Meadows - see below.
- Updated 7-12-06 by Deborah Cairns - see below.
- Updated 5-12-06 by Vic and Sylv Eldridge - see below.
- Updated 5-12-06 by Mark Passingham - see below.
- Updated 5-12-06 by Spiros Tsellas - see below.
- Updated 5-12-06 by Jason Hardy - see below.
- Updated 5-12-06 by Meadows family - see below.
- Updated 4-12-06 by Tabero family - see below.
- Updated 4-12-06 by Kev Cross - see below.
- Updated 4-12-06 by Tom McPherson - see below.
- Updated 4-12-06 by John Bennett - see below.
- Updated 4-12-06 by Greg Dakin - see below.
- Updated 4-12-06 by Peter Bailey - see below.
- Updated 3-12-06 by Steve Cooper - see below.
- Updated 3-12-06 by Gary Holland - see below.
- Updated 3-12-06 with a few photos from John McCurdy - see below.
- Updated 3-12-06 by the Woodhouse family - see below.
- Updated 3-12-06 with a few photos from Andy Ellison - see below.
- Updated 3-12-06 by Steve Clutterbuck - see below.
Rod Welland 12-12-06
Only a few days were spent with Karl and Terri at Spiros' RC Hotel at the end of September 2006 but memories of that time will never go, drinking too much, smoking too much, oh what wonderful stories he had to tell. A lovely man; so gentle and so inoffensive (a gentle giant) who will never be forgotten. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to Terri and family at this sad time
Carol and Rod Welland, Adrian Taplin and Louise Stokes
Mike Shellim 7-12-06
Paul Meadows 7-12-06
We all know how frustrating flying RC aircraft can be, spending months building only to end up carrying the bits back home in a Sainsbury’s carrier bag after the maiden flight.
Karl used to turn up at our flat field site nearly every weekend with a new electric aeroplane throw it, crash it and remark “it’s got potential” never once did I see him get upset or loose his temper, a real inspiration and if it wasn’t for Karl I think I would have given up years ago.
I remember climbing to the top of Cox’s Tor the first time my son and I went to Dartmoor and seeing the Team Swillers gazebo with Karl more than happy to offer me a can of Carlsberg, we have been friends ever since!
The world is a sadder place today.
Karl we are going to miss you terribly mate.
My heart goes out to Terri, Leanne and Don.
Deborah Cairns 7-12-06
Karl was there for me through some difficult times in my life, even though it was difficult for him to be there. I love him to bits and had a couple of very large Jack Daniels and Cokes (and the rest!)vat the weekend in honour of his name. My only regret is that I have not seen him since Corfu in September.
They only take the good ones when they’re young, and Karl was, and still is a star amongst his family and friends.
Terri and Leanne, I’m here for you if there’s anything I can do, let me know. Terri, if I could rewrite history I would, and maybe, very selfishly I could have spent more time with you both. I never stopped loving either of you…
I hope he’s having a drink at the bar right now, with that wonderful smile and big heart, he will be the brightest star in the sky without doubt.
My thoughts are with all of you, his dear and special friends, he knew how to make everyone feel special. I know Gary is heartbroken too.
Terri and Leanne, nothing anyone says or does heals the pain, but I know you feel blessed and loved by Karl in a way most of us never experience in our lifetimes
All my love, Debs XXX
Vic and Sylv Eldridge 5-12-06
Kind, gentle, sincere, always there if you needed a hand, and nothing was ever too much trouble. How many times did he call - out of the blue - when he was in the model shop to see if there was anything I needed? How many hours did he spend on the slope fixing things for me - and missing out on the 'good air' himself?
Among a host of great memories of him over the years, the two weeks of the '9/11/2001 La Mad/La Moo' trip were and will remain unforgettable due in no small way to Karl's huge ability to give, of himself, and anything he thought would be helpful to others.
The attached pictures are a bit different --- but in times of adversity some blokes make it such fun!!
When the group was short of the appropriate currency -- we quickly learned not to send Karl (with the remnants of that country's currency) to pay for the petrol!
He had us in fits changing a flat!
And he was most helpful around the BBQ :))
We have the happiest of memories of Karl - and we send our sincere condolences to Terri, Leanne and Don.
Kevin added - I have to say that photo with the spare tyre brought back so many memories. It started off with a puncture. Followed by, somewhat unsurprisingly, a flat spare. Followed by a 200 mile dash on a foam filled Dunlop death trap to Biarritz. Arriving at a rather exclusive hotel on Sunday night we enquired, extremely politely, where one might get a replacement tyre. The very well attired, and very British, proprietor was kind enough to share his response with the whole hotel lobby.... 'My dear boys, here in Biarritz we don't get punctures... And if we did, it certainly wouldn't be on a Sunday!'
The last laugh, as always, was Karl's. As we unofficially emptied several mini bars with gusto and the immortal battle cry 'Twat it'.
Happy days, happy memories. Thanks again Karl.
Mark Passingham 5-12-06
Karl Pashley was my friend. I first met Karl and his father Don at Butser Hill over 25 years ago. I met Don first; I had just started to learn to fly and we regularly met up in the evenings to enjoy ourselves crashing our Middle Phases. Don was the more advanced pilot - he had ailerons on his Middle Phase! As time went on I got to know his son - Karl. We weren't that close initially - I was in my early twenties and he was still a teenager but the early bonds of friendship had been formed.
After a few years out of the hobby the flying bug bit again and one sunny afternoon Janet and I drove down to Butser to see if any one we knew was still about. In the car park I bumped into Ken Woodhouse and on the West slope there was Karl. The years just fell away and we were soon down the pub enjoying a drink and reminiscing. Before long they had dragged me back into the competition scene and the three of us were regularly travelling to competitions together and enjoying ourselves in true Swiller fashion. We were not known as the Swillers to start with, that came about at VR 98 in Wales. The suggestions we had come up with for our team name were bordering on slanderous so Keith Nichols decided to call us Team Swillers whether we liked it or not. The rest, as they say, is history.
When I stared to write this I didn't know where to start. Looking back over the happy years I have spent as a Swiller the problem is knowing where to stop. There are so many happy memories with big smiling Karl in the middle of it all. A few highlights spring to mind. VR 98; most of it actually, but in particular the beer window, the barbeque and trying to sabotage the Danish caravan next door under the cover of a raucous rendering of Tom Jones classics. Hole of Horcum; Kevin Newton did not believe Karl had a glass eye so Karl took it out and dropped it Kevin's beer. Ever seen a a bald person go white? Unbelievable. Eastbourne; the incident with Roger Blake and Steve Cooper's Mini Ellipse - you had to be there. Welsh Open; on the way up to the Bwlch Karl and I stopped off at the Londis for supplies, well, beer actually. We were queuing up to pay for our cans when Karl spotted a keg of Carling, his favourite tipple. That was it, the cans were put back and the keg purchased and proudly displayed on the slope. The only problem was a lack of drinking utensils so Karl came up with a simple solution - prop the keg up on some rocks, lie underneath it with your mouth open wide and turn the tap on whenever you wanted a drink. Simple, effective and completely Karl. Check out John McCurdy's photos to see the keg in question. There's more, but that will do for the moment.
I spoke to Terri a few days after his death. To be honest, I was finding it difficult to know what to say and was not making a very good job of holding back the tears. We shared a few memories and within a few minutes we were both laughing - that was the effect Karl had on people. He wasn't perfect: he drank too much and he smoked too much, amongst other things, but he had a heart of gold and the gift of enjoying life to the fullest.
I was lucky enough to be his friend.
Spiros Tsellas 5-12-06
We met Karl the first time he and Terry came to holiday in Corfu. Since then they have been here more times than anybody else. They were part of the furniture.
It is very hard to find words other than the ones used before that describe him. One that I‘ll mention with capital letters is FRIEND. More like a brother. What can I say that others have not ? Sincere, helpful, honest .
He did not fly much when he was here but I can tell you this; he was a heck of a flyer. A little story . We had a competition once and we were all to do a manoeuvre of our choice but with a Ready trainer. Well he won . I have not seen another 16 point roll so axial.
There are so many good times to remember. If you do see us from up there mate be sure that I shall celebrate Jack’s birthday for you. You will always be with us. My thoughts go to Terri and Leanne and wish them strength.
Jason Hardy 5-12-06
My deepest Sympathy to Terri, Leanne, Don and Family.
I'm not a skilled enough wordsmith to do justice to the big man. Karl simply got on with everyone, and my words below give a tiny insight into a very funny, positive, helpful and caring man. Not to mention he was an awesome pilot and teacher.
I started flying in 2003 at Meon Valley and very quickly was drawn to those club members who enjoyed their flying as much as they enjoyed a beer afterwards. Karl always made the new club members feel welcome and if you had a question or few he would always help you out. Karl was an incredibly generous man, especially with his time and energy. He would help me for hours, helping program my radio and teaching me how to set my planes up. We became good friends and In 2005 I was lucky enough to be part of the 2005 Funbus trip to La Muela that Kev affectionately referred to.
I have so many great memories of that trip here are a few that sum Karl up:-
1. Four of us were back at the Hotel huddled round Knewt's laptop intensely studying a blown up photo of La Muela trying to find a downed plane (or rather 1 purple pixel) - Karl walks up and says "Do you need an extra eye?"
2. Karl was flying one of his Nyx at La Muela and got into loads of sink. Karl decided to land it on top of La Moo rather than be arsed to land out. Knowing that most wouldn't take the chance to try, he dived at the slope and calmly flew the plane to his feet. Using only energy retention and massive cahunas he flew up the slope and turned into wind and landed said Nyx at his feet. The plane was never further away from terra firma than 12" and travelling at a daft speed. Knewt was snapping away and managed to catch Karl's last second, all or nothing landing on film. Most people wouldn't do this! Or, what I should say is couldn't! But then again, Karl wasn't most people.
3. After a fantastic evening of merriment in Guadalajara (near La Moo) Karl had discovered that his wallet was missing and containing around 1,500 Euros. Only one place it could be so that night we headed over to El Refugio and I managed to convince the Manager who spoke no English that last night 'Mi Amigo' had lost his wallet. He duly placed his hand in a large Jug and pulled out Karl's wallet. We didn't know which was the greatest surprise, the fact that all the money was still there, or that I had managed to string a sentence together in a foreign language. Karl being the man he is, simply handed over £50 worth of euros to the Bar Manager and his Wife to say thank you. He then bought them and us drinks to celebrate being reunited with his wallet. We were treated like Royalty after that, free drinks and Tapas?.......Don't mind if I do.
Everyone who knew Karl will have anecdotes and stories in a similar vain to the three that stick in my mind. Karl you are and always will be a complete Legend. I will miss you and especially the fantastic names you and Mark Passingham had for your gliding creations. Just the mere hint of the 'Dreamboat Relaxer' will always raise a smile, whilst I raise my charged Glass and think how my life was all the better simply for knowing you.
Meadows family 5-12-06
We all know how frustrating flying RC aircraft can be, spending months building only to end up carrying the bits back home in a Sainsbury?s carrier bag after the maiden flight. Karl used to turn up at our flat field site nearly every weekend with a new electric aeroplane throw it, crash it and remark “it’s got potential” never once did I see him get upset or loose his temper, a real inspiration and if it wasn’t for Karl I think I would have given up years ago.
I remember climbing to the top of Cox’s Tor the first time my son and I went to Dartmoor and seeing the Team Swillers gazebo with Karl more than happy to offer me a can of Carlsberg, we have been friends ever since!
The world is a sadder place today.
Karl we are going to miss you terribly mate.
My heart goes out to Terri, Leanne and Don.
Tabero family 4-12-06
Like so many out there this tragic news has left me in complete and utter shock. I can’t confess to knowing Karl that well but the few times that I met him I just got that feeling that he was a great person to be around.
Kev Cross 4-12-06
I first met Karl when I originally joined MVSA as a teenager over 20 years ago. I remember him then as one of the group of men who were the first to put down their pint and wrestle my wheelchair to the top of the stairs of the Bucks Head for club meetings. He was of course one of the fliers to aspire to even then.
Taking a 15-year break from the sport, I returned to thermal flying at Heytesbury Farm with the MVSA and of the two people whose faces I recognised immediately, Karl was one of them. That first evening, Karl saved my new moulded plane from certain demise when my fingers got too cold to feel the sticks, and he took the transmitter from me to land.
Over the last two years, I have got to know Karl much better, flying most weeks with him, either at the slope or power field, with each trip always ending in the pub for a pint or two of aprez-fly.
Most recently, he introduced me to the RC Hotel in Corfu, where I spent two entertaining weeks of this year holidaying with Karl and Terri. Always joking about me sitting to “his blind side” as he reached over and passed me my beer, I have so many fond memories of our time in the sun.
I saw Karl three days before he left us… he sat on my sofa in his work clobber having popped in for a cuppa between jobs. As always he was laughing and joking about how ugly my latest indoor model looked and answering “but why?” when Gaz and I suggested he join us for indoor flying! If nothing else, a good way to remember a close friend.
So time to raise a glass of JD to Karl… after all, as he’d say, “It was Jack ’s birthday recently”… as if he ever needed an excuse!
Tom McPherson 4-12-06
Having taken a gap from racing of 9-10 years, one of the first people to welcome me back was Karl; that's the man and says it all for me.Fly high and fast my friend!
Tom Mac
John (Blobby) Bennett 4-12-06
The first time I met Karl he was
flinging an aerobatic glider around at Butser Hill and it was an absolute joy to watch and
he was so approachable and willing to share his knowledge and love of model flying.
When I got to know him he always
greeted me with a cheerful smile and a “hello Blobby, how are you?” and wanted to know
what I was up to and wanted to tell me of his latest model followed by “you’d love to
fly one of them, it’s great a great model for aerobatics, go on, buy one” knowing my
own liking of aerobatic flying.
He was a great guy.
Karl, I’ll miss you mate.
Greg Dakin 4-12-06
Always the first man at the bar, always the first to offer you a beer, and for me as a newbie, the most welcoming face of F3F - a cracking guy in every sense of the word.
I tip my glass to you tonight Karl.
God bless mate!
Peter Bailey 4-12-06
I met Karl for the first time in the early eighties, when I went to Butser Hill to find somebody to help me fly my first model that I'd put together on the dining room table.
I found a crowd of fliers, but it was Karl who offered to help - friendly and professional in his advice, he launched and got the model in the air, gave me my first few minutes on the sticks (exhilarating) then took back control, looped the model and mid-aired it on the way down... Karl was completely un-phased as I went off crest-fallen to retrieve the bits (all quite repairable). An interesting lesson for a rookie! We've been slope-friends ever since.
He was always friendly, generous and helpful on the hill, and funny and outrageous in the bar in the evening. The slopes will be a sadder and quieter place without him.
We shall all miss him greatly...
Steve Cooper 3-12-06
It was all Karl's fault. Yes it was all down
to Karl. In 1989, shortly after we moved from Cambridge to Hampshire, we were
exploring the local area and discovered Butser Hill. I had dragged the family out
for a walk (quite literally as the boys were 3 and 5) and I came across a strange group of
chaps flying model gliders on the north slope. Karl stood out because of his quiet
style and obvious ability. He was launching his Dominie inverted and hand catching the
thing all without disturbing the ash from his cigarette; quite captivating. I had
never flown a slope soarer but was hooked from that moment so I cornered him for details
of the glider and rushed home to order the same model from Pat Teakle. My assumption was
that in a week or two I would be flying just as well as Karl but as you all know that was
never to be the case.
Over the coming years I came to know Karl for the quiet and caring, gentle man that he
truly was. Many stories and memories are flooding my mind, one that stands out is
the time that I talked him into helping me incite a group of unsuspecting F3F guys into
the world of formation power flying. As so often happens in our world logic quickly
made an exit stage left, leaving us defenceless in the capable hands of Karl and his
father Don. The results of this excursion into the oily world of power flying will
bring a smile to my face for the rest of my life. Here is an account of that unforgettable
day http://www.sc00p.com/sandalweb/extraday/extras.htm
Sadly we never did get to repeat it with helicopters.
Thank you Karl for being part of my life.
Gary Holland 3-12-06
Most members of MVSA will remember Karl as a skilled
pilot, a knowledgeable flier and someone who would offer help and advice whenever asked.
Truly a larger than life character.
Within the group of regulars who flew gliders and power with him, he will be remembered as
a fun loving guy, quick to joke about mistakes, and the first to question some of the
quirky advances coming into the sport… “But why?” To us, his trademark was to take
off, do an eight-point roll, land… and then utter the immortal words, “Off down the
pub then?”
I feel honoured to have known Karl and glad I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time
with him over the past few years.
Our deepest sympathies go to Terri and Leanne, and of course to his father, Don. He will
be sadly missed.
John McCurdy 3-12-06
Ken, Hev and James Woodhouse 3-12-06
Karl will be sorely missed, not just a flying chum but a personal friend to all our family, in the 25 years that we have known him he has bought nothing but grins, smiles, laughs and of course the occasional hangover!
Cheers Mate!
Andy Ellison 3-12-06
Steve Clutterbuck 3-12-06
I was just getting to know Karl again after a 20+ year gap. We had a long chat about the old days (and a drink) just a couple of weeks ago.
When I knew him and Don at Meon valley they always made the trip worth while even if the weather didn't play fair. We had a standing Joke then about an ASW kit I was slowly building and he asked me the other day if I'd finished it and sad to say 20 years later I haven't but I will now and the maiden flight will be at Butser with a beer close to hand.
Deepest Sympathy to all Karl's family. He will be greatly missed.
