GW mourns loss of pilotRecent graduate dies during Navy training Jump p. 11Graduate remembered for warm personality

by Becky GuyonHatchet Reporter

Ensign Kristopher Krohne, a GW graduate, died Sept. 6 in an airplane crash during a routine Navy Reserves training mission near Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. Krohne, who graduated in May, was an alumnus of the GW Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Krohne was the only one flying in the T-37 aircraft when it went down in clear weather at 8:20 a.m. Flying solo for the first time, he was one mile short of the runway when the jet crashed, according to the Associated Press.

The Air Force Accident Investigation Board is looking into the accident. The incident will later be reviewed by the Air Force Safety Investigation Board to find out whether the crash resulted from mechanical failure or pilot error, an AP story reported the day after the crash. The cause of the accident remains unknown.

Initial evidence at the crash site showed Krohne had not attempted to activate the ejection lever, officials told the AP. The plane was equipped with a parachute. There were no reports of a fire on the aircraft prior to the crash.

Krohne had completed three months of a four-month training program in the T-37 plane.

Krohne transferred to GW from University of California-Santa Barbara before his junior year. He graduated in May with a major in political science, then joined the 8th Flying Training Squadron as a student pilot.

Flying was his dream, said junior Joe Owen, Krohne’s roommate last year. He wanted to be a Blue Angel Pilot.

A memorial service for Krohne will be held at Funger Hall on September 22 at 9:30 a.m. Funeral services for Krohne, 24, will be held in his hometown, San Diego, Calif., later this week.

He was like my second son, said Margie Stevens, a family friend. Kris loved life. I know he would be upset if we sat around being sad.

Krohne’s girlfriend, Nicole Canterbery, is also a GW graduate.

He was so bright and full of life, she said. He had such a positive outlook and it rubbed off on everyone around him. In all of his pictures he is smiling ear to ear. Kris was always doing things to make people laugh or cheer them up.

Krohne’s personality was a positive influence on many, friends said.

He was the ultimate fun guy, Owen said. He had lots of friends. He brought energy to the people around him.

Canterbery remembered Krohne’s positive effect on people.

One time at the Air Force base, everyone had just bombed a test, so everyone was feeling down and Kris shows up wearing a neon blue Hawaiian shirt when everyone was supposed to be wearing dark, somber colors, she said. When they asked him why he was wearing the shirt he said, `Man it’s Friday, this is what we do on Friday!’ and he cheered up everyone in the room. He had a great spirit.

Owen said Krone’s hometown influenced his warm nature.

We’re going to miss him, Owen said. Kris came from a very small, community-oriented town.

Canterbury said the family has received an outpouring of support.

The house is full of flowers, and so many people have stopped by to give their love and support, Canterbery said. The general sentiment is that God had a better purpose for him.