KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Memorial Celebration for 3 Biologists killed in Helicopter Crash

Memorial Celebration for 3 Biologists killed in Helicopter Crash

By Norma Yuriar

Clovis, Calif.  (KMPH News) — In a church filled with family, friends and uniformed California Department of Fish and Game employees, three biologists were remembered Thursday.

Nine days earlier, a horrific helicopter crash in Madera County ended their lives.

Clu Cotter, Kevin O'Connor and Tom Stolberg were conducting deer surveys near Redinger Lake.

The pilot, Dennis (Mike) Donovan of Palms Springs, was also killed in the accident.

"It was a tragic loss and yet it was something that they really wanted to be doing.  It's who they were," Biologist Greg Gerstenberg said.  "They enjoyed the helicopter, the deer, they enjoyed being out in the field."

Friends and family members spoke during a memorial service at Northside Christian Church in Clovis.

"My brother [Tom] was a character.  He had a deep sense of right and wrong," Buck Stolberg said.  "He knew that enjoying life was the right thing to do."

Buck said his brother Tom was legendary for his cooking skills.

"I still remember when he discovered garlic," Buck said.

Buck also spoke about his brother's love for the outdoors, "whenever I saw Tom in uniform, it made sense to me and things seemed right," Buck said.  "I miss him now, I'll miss him next year and I'll miss him 30 years from now."

Kevin O'Connor, approached each day with unending optimism, he was always smiling and always happy.

"...speaking a language more like my kids than my Supervisor, hey dude!" Gerstenberg said.

Biologist and friend Greg Gerstenberg shared a story about the time Kevin gave a bear in need, CPR.

"When Kevin called me to explain what had happened he was so excited," Gerstenberg said.  "How many people get excited about giving mouth to nose to a bear!"

Eric Kleinfelter said he was with Clu Cotter during a hunting trip when he caught the three point buck that meant so much to him.

"We just thought, let's just use the bikes to transport it," Kleinfelter said.  "We used my bike because I had an old bike, we loaded that animal on that bike, front legs across the handle bars, Clu got on and rode that thing back to the truck."

When asked how they will remember Tom, Kevin and Clu, co–workers said, "every time we step outside."

The California Association of Professional Scientists have set up a fund to help the families of all three victims.  To donate go to www.capsscientists.org

Reporter, Norma Yuriar can be reached at nyuriar@kmph.com or (559)  453–8850.