Bryan Dill McCullah

Bryan Dill McCullah tragically lost his life in an aviation accident on Friday, August 13, at Emigrant Gap, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He was 31 years old. Bryan was doing what he was most passionate about flying. Bryan was born in Oregon and spent his early childhood there. He later moved to Truckee, California and was raised in the Sierra Nevadas. He enjoyed all aspects of the outdoors. He loved to hike and fish during the summer and snowboard during the winter. He also, along with friends, would make the midnight run to jump off the cliff into the river below near Emigrant Gap. He was an accomplished musician and a member of Combustible Jones, a local Santa Cruz band. Bryan had been a flight instructor for the past 10 years, fulfilling his dream and passion for flying.
Bryan was a unique individual. His life touched the lives of so many others. He mixed passion and humor with a genuine care and love of his friends and family. He brightened up any room he walked into. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
As tragic as it is that he met such an untimely death at a young age, his friends and family can find solace in that he had finally found himself in becoming engaged to the love of his life and in pursuing his vocational passion of flying by being a full-time flight instructor. He had embraced life to the fullest and those around him can find a measure of peace in that.
He is survived by his brothers (and their wives), Alan (Kerri), Scott (Krystal), his folks Janet and Gary Bush, his fiance Tricia, her son Hunter, his step-brother Jesse and step-sister Kelly, nephews, maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a wide circle of friends.
A memorial gathering is planned for Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 1-4 p.m. at his Nana's house and garden, 111 Escalona Court, Santa Cruz, California 95060. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any charity of your choice, in his loving memory.
Bryan: You will forever be in our hearts and in our memories. We will strive to live our lives to the fullest, as you have lived yours. You will continue to serve as an inspiration to us as you live within each of us, every day.