Dennis ATKINSON Obituary

I first had the pleasure of meeting Denny at Westport aerodrome in October 1969 where I worked under his supervision as a topdressing pilot. We spread 1000 tons of lime, 350 tons of super from an airstrip at Cape Foulwind, with Terry loading us, 5 miles out 5 miles back!! Took quite a few hours flying & it soon became clear why it was called Cape Foulwind!! Denny was a great tutor & I gained an enormous amount of knowledge from him then & later when I worked in Nelson as required. When I later flew his old Cessna ZK-COT he said when refuelling make sure you use the big bronze filter, refuelling one day on a marginal strip as the avgas began flowing I saw to my horror that brown water was actually going into the filter!!! Fortunately I managed to divert it from going into the aircraft, avgas had been stolen from the loader & the cap not replaced which allowed rain to get in! Thanks Denny!
Denny was a master airman and we had a good yarn or 3 at the Aerial Sowing reunion, he never forced his views despite his enormous agricultural flying experience, certainly the longest serving pilot of Aerial Sowing.
My condolences to Verna & all of the family, sorry I was unable to attend the service as I am now living in Australia.

To Verna and family, sad to just hear of Denny´s passing, but a great life he had and wonderful memories you have. Thinking of you.

To Verna, Jo, Shelley and all Denny´s family. Craig and I are very sad to hear of Denny´s passing but yes a life well lived. Craig has great memories on the boat fishing with Dad and Denny. He says Denny was very knowledgeable about the Sounds area and had great stories to tell. I have happy memories of family holidays and Melrose Terrace visits. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Jo and Craig Fergusson

Always a gentleman and a pioneer pilot of top dressing always remembered

Great childhood memories of flying in topdressing plane in Riwaka Valley

Thanks for passing on you experience s both at the Aero Club and City Club they were treasured ,Fly High Dennis.

My thoughts are with the family of Denny at this sad time of his passing away.We were in the Nelson Rowing club together and at the end of the Picton champs our coach decided we would make a good pair for the NZ Team so it was into serious training for us two.However I had my name down for a position with the Anchor shipping company as a 3rd engineer on the Puriri coastal vessel.A few weeks later I got the job so that was the end of that.A bit sad but thats life.I saw him a few times after that but we drifted apart as life went on.A good friend gone.Rest in peace my friend..

Wonderful memories o fDenny Topdressing at Kikiwa ,a long time ago, The Jock Nicholls Family ,