One of my favorite photographers (I have many of his books, some signed, and a couple of prints), Galen Rowell, was killed in a plane crash, along with his wife Barbara and two others (archive of original link).
I talked to him a couple of times while his gallery was in Emeryville, and he was an interesting, talented guy. I always intended to take one of his workshops. His wife was also very nice—although I only met her briefly—and quite an accomplished photographer in her own right. She was an expert pilot, but not piloting the plane at the time they crashed.
I can’t get over how much this shocked me. I’ve been (slowly) re-reading one of his books, The Inner Game of Outdoor Photography (in fact, I’m reading it in the pic of me and Val reading at Big Sur). I listed that book as my “Last Great Book I Read” in my profile on Nerve.com. I read his articles in Outdoor Photographer every month, and I’ve been to his gallery a few times. He is one of two people whose work consistently makes me want to get out and do photography.
What a tragic loss. :(
His web site was http://www.mountainlight.com.