Adapted from a post/tribute I wrote for my dad a few days after his passing on our flight to Hawaii:

On March 6th, 2021, my dad, Dennis Pettigrew, passed away. It was likely a cardiac arrest and he went peacefully and quickly in his home. When I talked to him 2 days prior, he seemed to be the happiest and healthiest version of himself that he had been in years. Although the grief and shock is overwhelming, I am at peace with knowing he passed how he would have wanted to go. That last conversation, even though I had no idea it would be our last, was filled with many laughs and “I love you’s”. He was a daredevil who escaped death on many occasions over his 76 years and this was not when I thought we would be saying goodbye. Honestly, I thought there was a chance he’d be one of those crazy old guys who outlives us all and would be on the news cackling “the secret to living past 100 is lots of rum, not giving a $&*#, and dirty jokes!”

I’m sorry that Haleiwa town was hit with historic flooding in the past few days. Maybe it was coincidence or maybe the sky was mourning the passing of a fine pilot who spent much of his life in the clouds. Even if he had lived through another natural disaster and been told to evacuate, he would have never left that old house. He probably would have gone outside and yelled profanities at the sky like Tom Hanks in Castaway. In our last conversation, he literally reminded me that this was his strategy and recommendation for most evacuation-recommended natural disasters in Hawaii. As a doctor, I will admit that I did not always personally recommend all of my dad’s advice...but it was often hilarious.

As many know, we were very close. We drove each other nuts with our similar stubbornness and imperfections but adored and respected each other. I have no regrets and that gives me so much comfort during this incredibly hard time. I loved him deeply and unconditionally, both at his best and at his worst. He loved me and my family (especially Ava) so much and told us often. I had the unique privilege of being a child who flew airplanes, scuba dived, stared at wind maps and flight patterns (while he did wild hand gestures), was pushed to surf waves far too big for me, and heard a lot of inappropriate pilot jokes. I wouldn’t take any of it back and he is a huge part of who I am (nicely balanced with my mom to subdue some of the madness, ha). I want to thank everyone who brought light and laughter to his life. My mom was a big part of his life and their bond over 50+ years was stronger than most who choose that marriage isn’t a good fit for them. Thank you to friends and family who continue to support us as we figure out our own version of grief. He was a legend and won’t be forgotten.

If life and covid allows, we will try to hold a memorial/celebration-of-life for him. We all know how much he loved a good party!

https://www.forevermissed.com/dennis-robert-pettigrew/about