Music’s Aviation Tragedies: Jud Strunk

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Greetings from the road! Well, not technically “the road” — I’m in a restaurant — but I’m on my way south for who knows what! All I know is I have to be home by April 4 for a doctor’s appointment. Let’s see where I go…I like being as surprised as you do! Meanwhile, here’s the next musician on the list of aviation accidents. Jud Strunk Generally speaking, Jud Strunk was a comedian. He wrote funny songs, and for a man with a country-ish style, was on Laugh-In instead of Hee Haw. So how does a guy who does funny stuff end up remembered for a sentimental ballad? Hey, that’s life. And it’s a little bit of a misnomer to say that Strunk is “remembered.” You may remember that, last year, I went to Jamestown, New York, the home of Lucille Ball. They had a few other people mentioned (including the band 10,000 Maniacs) on the welcome sign…but not Strunk. Truth be told, he moved to Maine and that became his home. Like a lot of other people on this list, he was a licensed pilot. However, it wasn’t the common theme (trying to fly in bad weather) this time. On October 5, 1981, Strunk was taking people on “foliage flights” from the Carrabassett Valley airport so they could admire the beauty of a clear autumn afternoon in Maine. He had just taken off with local businessman Richard Ayotte when Strunk suffered a massive heart attack. The plane had only reached an altitude of about 300 feet when Strunk was stricken. While both men died in the crash, the coroner ruled that Strunk’s heart attack was his cause of death. Largely forgotten (even by his birthplace), Jud Strunk gave the world a sweet song of lasting love as his legacy. Jud Strunk Born Justin Roderick Strunk June 11, 1936 - October 5, 1981 (age 45) Place of crash: Carrabassett Valley Airport, Carrabassett Valley, Maine His popular, wistful hit “Daisy a Day”: