It is with great sadness to hear of the death of Larry Balvance from cancer on August 21, 2005. The members of the Minnesota Ballooning Association are truly saddened by this news, he was loved by all of us. Larry was a good friend and a good pilot. I think of Larry as always patient and willing to give his knowledge of ballooning to the community. You will be missed!

Larry J. Balvance, age 58, of Shakopee. Survived by wife, Carol; sons, Jon (Katrina), Patrick (Kimberly) all of Shakopee; mother, Edna Balvance of Buffalo Center, IA; sisters, Beth Nienow of St. Charles, Jean (Rick) Faber of Omaha, NE. Preceded in death by father, Lawrence. Funeral Service Wednesday, 10 AM, at First Presbyterian Church in Shakopee. Visitation Tuesday from 5-8 PM at Cavanaugh - McNearney Funeral Home, 1220 E. 3rd Ave, Shakopee, and one hour prior to services AT THE CHURCH. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Allina Hospice. Cavanaugh-McNearney 952-445-2755
Published in the Star Tribune on 8/22/2005.

• Commercial Pilot since 1985
• 855 Balloon Hours Logged
• RE / MAX North Central Corporate Pilot since 1999

Larry Balvance owned and operated Hot Air High Balloon Company since 1985. In addition, Larry was a co-owner of Minnesota Valley Balloons since 1996. Recently retired from Hunt Wesson Foods as a Food Service Salesman.  Larry has flown the Kodak Albuquerque for the past 2 years, and dropped skydivers at the Annual Freefall Convention in Quincy , IL for 3 years.  He attended most of the balloon rallies in the 5 state area during the year, and if you see a RE / MAX balloon in the air or in a parade, it was probably him.

Excerp from CaringBridge Web Site: (Please visit this site)

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. It has been created to keep friends and family updated about our loved one.

My Story is the introduction to our CaringBridge site.

Be sure to read the latest in the journal, view the photo gallery, and drop us a line in the guestbook.

Mom and Dad went on a 2 week Hawaiian vacation with Grandma Balvance in Mid January to visit Uncle Dave and Aunt Molly. They had a great time, but Dad didn't feel all that well while there. When they got back to Shakopee, Dad went to the doctor and they did some tests to see what was wrong. Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late January 2005. After going to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for another opinion, it was confirmed and chemotherapy began in February 2005. Due to the location of the cancer on the pancreas, it was not located early enough and the cancer had already spread to the liver. Dad continued treatment and was feeling fairly good, even joining Jon and his friends for their annual fishing trip to Canada in early May. He has continued his love of Hot Air Ballooning. Jon and Dad flew in February at the Hot Air Affair in Hudson , WI . With a spring of extremely bad ballooning weather, we hadn't flown any over the spring/summer, but dad flew with Al Johnson on July 6th on a gorgeous flight from our launch site in Jordan over the beautiful Minnesota River Valley and landing in Carver. 

Dad started feeling very tired and not getting around very good in early July.

Dad passed away on Sunday, August 21st at 4:30am . We were all with him when he left this world and embarked upon a new adventure. We will miss him dearly.

Please sign into the guest book section and leave good stories, wishes, etc.

Thank you for your prayers.

Jon

Caring Bridge Web Site: http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewMyStory.do?method=executeInit

It is with great sadness to hear of the death of Bob Warner from brain cancer on September 19, 2005. Many of the 'old timers' remember Bob when he was first getting started in ballooning in the early 1980's. Bob has been an on going member of the MBA, but in recent years has been more active flying helecopters and corporate jets. The members of the Minnesota Ballooning Association are truly saddened, he was loved by all of us who knew him. Bob was a genuine and kind person who loved to fly. You will be missed!

Robert A. Warner , age 63, of Maple Grove, MN.

Warner Robert A. Warner, 63, of Maple Grove, died peacefully at home on September 19, 2005 after a valiant 10-month battle with brain cancer. He was born on April 19, 1942 in Chicago, IL. Preceded in death by his parents, Collins and Fran Warner. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 23 years, Peggy; adored children, Terry (Larry) Gunderson, Richard Sayther, Tom (Tammy) Warner, Dan Warner; brother, Jim Warner; sister, Bonnie (John) Rowell; cherished grandchildren, Andy Hawkinson, Chelsey and Joey Gunderson, Lilly, Simone and Katharine Warner, Nathen Gage-Warner; brothers-in-law, Rich (Dianne) Andelbradt, Charles (Merrilee) Andelbradt; mother-in-law, Therle V. Andelbradt; a niece, nephews; and many good friends. Bob worked as a television engineer for 30+ years (Ch. 2, 9 & 11) before obtaining his dream job as a corporate pilot for Kurt Manufacturing for the 8 years preceding his illness. A pilot since the age of 19, Bob loved every aspect of flying and instructing students in helicopter, fixed-wing and hot-air balloon. He wanted everyone to experience the joy he always found in soaring above the earth. Bob was a member of the Minnesota Balloon Pilots Assn. and a proud member of "QB" (Quiet Birdmen - a fraternal organization of retired pilots). In addition to flying and his Harley, he enjoyed working with electronics, computers, amateur radio, welding, driving his pontoon around the lake, and was an expert builder and fixer. Thank you to all the wonderful doctors, nurses, social workers and hospice aides who took such good care of Bob. A special thanks to our friends in the Brain Tumor Support Group. Visitation is at Kapala- Glodek-Malone Funeral Home, 7800 Bass Lake Road, New Hope, from 5 to 8 PM Friday, September 23. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 24 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 18400 Cty. Rd. 101, Maple Grove, MN. Interment will be at Lewis Cemetery in Maple Plain, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The American Brain Tumor Assn., 2720 River Road, #146, Des Plaines, IL 60018. KAPALA-GLODEK MALONE 763-535-4112
Published in the Star Tribune from 9/22/2005 - 9/23/2005.

It is difficult to find the words to share yet another sad moment in the Minnesota Ballooning community. It is with continued sadness to hear of the death of Richard "Dickie" Cool from an apparent heart attack on October 28, 2005. Dickie was the owner and operator of St. Croix Hot Air Balloons. In recent years he became a member of the Minnesota Ballooning Association and attended several of our annual safety seminars. The members of the Minnesota Ballooning Association that knew him are truly saddened, he will be missed!

Richard S. Cool, age 48, of Lakeland, MN

Cool, Richard S. "Dickie" October 24, 1957 - October 28, 2005 Age 48 of Lakeland passed away unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack. Preceded in death by grandparents Frank & Adelle Cool, Irving and Dorothy Bloom. He is survived by his parents Dick Sr. and Helen; sister Missy (Steve) Junker; nephews Andy and Beau; beloved cat Rhoda; many, many good friends. He was an extraordinary balloon pilot and was owner of St. Croix Hot Air Balloons. His greatest joys were snowmobiling, motorcycles and boating on the St. Croix River. He lived everyday of his life to the fullest and his beautiful smile and captivating personality will be forever remembered by all that knew and loved him. Gathering of friends and family will be held from 4-7PM. Service 7:00PM Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at the SIMONET FUNERAL HOME, 6429 Osgood Avenue North, Stillwater. Memorials preferred. Simonet Funeral Home 651.439.7770 Family Owned Since 1864 Published in the Pioneer Press from 10/30/2005 - 10/31/2005.