Instrument Rating

—  Bob Shumaker      

In 1991 Scott wanted to get his civilian instrument rating. Apparently, the FAA would not transfer his earlier extensive military and NASA experience, so he worked a deal with my boss at the University of North Dakota to take a two-week refresher course. My role, as the associate Dean, was to pick him up each morning from his motel. One particular morning he appeared tired and bleary eyed, and he explained that he'd been up until 3am studying just so he could stay ahead of his classmates who were younger than him by at least 50 years. Besides his loveable traits of humility and courtesy he was a perfectionist and a competitor. God bless you Scottie . . . you set some high standards for all of us.