July 29 (Sunday evening): A note for everyone from Maryann Keida Winnicki

I am Richard Keida’s only sibling. A little over a week ago I got that dreadful call informing me of the terrible auto accident that resulted in serious injuries to my brother and sister in law. I immediately packed my bags and headed to the airport for the long flight from Upstate New York to Central Alaska. Even though many miles separated us over the years, we always remained extremely close, having frequent phone visits. My brother left home at the age of 15 to enter the Ivy League, graduating from Cornell University at the age of 19. He was always able to accomplish a task in half the time it took most of us to do. Having several ambitious goals in life and the ability to conquer all of them, he settled for a career in aviation. He was accepted into pilot training with the Air Force and climbed the ladder to a high ranking officer at a young age. He spent 20 years flying military aircraft throughout the world including a tour of duty in Viet Nam and in other troublesome parts of the world.

When he retired from the military he continued his passion for planes and was accepted by Northwest Airlines for commercial flying , later to become a pilot for Delta Airlines. During his early years in the Air Force, he met and married Jeannette Atwood in Abeline Texas 35 years ago. He brought her to Utica, New York (for their honeymoon !!) and to meet the family. We loved her immediately and knew Rich had made another smart decision in life. Throughout the 40 years of flying and much relocation, Rich & Jeannette met many wonderful people and have established so many long lasting relationships. This was so evident upon my 1 a.m. arrival in Anchorage last week. I was met at the airport by John Dieffenderfer, a Delta pilot and close friend of Rich & Jeannettes. John & his wife, Sully, also have a home in Alaska. John drove me north to Wasilla getting me to the ICU at 4 a.m. so I could be at my brother’s side. John & Sully have provided me with a car, a room in their home and have kept me well-fed. And they’re making time to run back and forth between hospitals here is Wasilla and Anchorage where Jeannette remains in ICU.

She was air lifted to that facility due to more severe injuries. There are not enough words to express my appreciation to John & Sully for their continuous acts of kindness during this crisis. And then there’s Doug Grilliot (another Delta pilot) who has been constantly at the hospital sitting next to Rich for hours at a time. Two days ago I finally got to meet Rich’s close friends Kevin Knutson, wife Debbie & son John Marcus (Rich’s God Son) who flew in from their home in Minneapolis to be at this side. Support & prayers are flowing in from around the world. A message from friends in Tanzania was recently posted! As each day passes I’m learning about the hundreds of good deeds that Rich & Jeannette have done for people… always there to help someone in need and now they’re on the receiving end. The neighbors in Willow are already planning on how to take care of them when they get home. And to the neighbors in Las Vegas where Rich & Jeannette purchased a retirement home 3 months ago… you’ll have your new friends back soon.

To my niece Samantha, who has been the rock through all of this, thank God we have you ! Like her mother, Sam is a believer and a fighter and begins each day with optimism. And to Joyce Colazezzi & Erica Niles who are keeping vigil next to Jeannette… my deep appreciation goes out to you. I’ve yet to learn the names of the off-duty surgeon and paramedic who were passersby at the scene and stopped to help save these lives until the helicopters could arrive. The list can go on….

I read each new posting and I am very appreciative for all the prayers and support. I flew back to New York yesterday to check on my business, repack and get ready for the trip back to Alaska. With all of you by their sides, Rich & Jeannette are in good hands.  Thank you ! -- Maryann (I’m called MaryK by Rich)