The Renegade Psychiatrist – Helicopter pilot lived as light in the dark 

By Larry Banta 

As an ordained minister (another claim to my renegade status), so far I have had the privilege of doing only two funerals. One was my good friend, Rick, the other my father-in-law. Rick was from western Oregon. He was divorced but had since rededicated his life to serving God. 

He was a very accomplished pilot and pilot-trainer who decided to use his skills for a mission in Kenya. He was assigned to a helicopter mission called Heli-mission. His job was to train the local pilot in mountain flying, which is an advanced skill. We were living in western Kenya in the bush at the time. We came upcountry for supplies and rest about every three months. Rick would come by and hang out with my family, especially enjoying our young children. My oldest, Ethan, was totally taken with Rick. He was able to sit in Rick’s helicopter and play with the controls, which as a 5-year-old was totally awesome. 

Rick served the local community in any way he could. He would travel with and encourage the local pastors, going with them to remote bush preaching locations. He helped needy families and encouraged the missionaries. He flew emergency cases to Nairobi when needed. He was truly a shining light, lifting up all those around him. 

Our mission used the helicopter to go to mountain areas to hold clinics. In these areas there was a good bit of illness and no road access. Some villages had never seen a wheeled vehicle but had seen a helicopter up close. We also hitched rides into Nairobi with Rick at times to pick up supplies. It was much faster than our Toyota and the scenery was amazing. 

On one occasion, I had not been feeling well for about a week. I could not eat; food did not taste good. I started to become yellow. I did not notice but everyone else did. I had one long case to finish that day. A young man was slashed in the eye with a machete. The eye was okay but the eyelid was not. It took about five hours to sew him back together. Finishing that and feeling exhausted, I went to do our daily check-in on the ham radio, our only form of communication. I informed our contacts all was well. 

Returning to the house, my wife asked me if I had asked for help. “Why would I need to do that?” I asked, “all is fine.” She rushed back to the radio just in time and called for the helicopter to come take me out of the bush — I was very sick. I finally realized at that point that I really WAS sick. (Doctors and nurses are not the best patients.) While awaiting the helicopter, the villagers gathered around our home and began the death wail. That was rather disconcerting. Rick arrived with the helicopter in time to take me to the hospital and barely in time to save my life. I never would have survived if not for Rick having dropped everything to come. I was in a coma for two days but made it through. Rick went back to the mission station to bring my family out. 

I recovered well and went to stay in a home we rented upcountry. Very soon after I was discharged, one of the other missionaries came by with an urgent message. He stated sadly, “There was a helicopter crash and Rick was killed.” This was devastating to all of us. He was on the ground while the pilot-trainee was sling-loading building supplies for a remote church building. I was asked to come to the helicopter crash site and then to examine the helicopter. Details of the crash can still be found online: https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/wiki.php?id=32989 

Shortly thereafter, I was informed by the U.S. State Department that an autopsy was needed and had to be done by an American doctor. So, for one of the more difficult tasks of my life, I proceeded to do the autopsy on my good friend. He had been hit in the back by a portion of the helicopter blade that had broken off. The blow caused instant death. 

After the autopsy, a funeral was needed. I thought the best way to honor him was to provide a short history of his life and ministry. This was followed by a short gospel sermon on the plan of salvation, something Rick would surely desire. After the sermon, people came forward to offer testimonies of Rick’s impact on their lives. They came one after another, from many denominations and backgrounds. There were those he had helped with the helicopter, and others he had helped just by being there to assist them when he was not flying. One local Asian woman was flown urgently to Nairobi to save her vision; the operation was successful. The entire back two rows of the church were filled with members of the local Asian community. They were so grateful, and loved him very much. This was also likely the first time they heard the gospel. 

The next week, one of our co-workers was asked to baptize a family of four who were so touched by Rick’s life and his funeral that they all decided to follow Jesus. They were from Scotland, with two lovely girls about the age of my children. They were teachers in a local private school and had come to know Rick in the community. They had not really heard the gospel before. Their lives were changed, forever, by his testimony. They later moved to Australia and I am sure would shine their light there. 

Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

Rick was a shining light in a dark world. He demonstrated that our job as light-bearers is very important. Once we have the light of Christ in our lives, we must be able to effectively shine. If we have drawn away from God, if there is persistent sin in our lives, our light does not shine brightly. It becomes quite dim and does no good. 

James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” 

Our light shining brightly in worship and service — whatever our profession, job or activity — can make such a difference to those around us. 

Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” 

And in Daniel 12:3 we read: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” 

Rick was a shining example that still inspires even many years later.