Pilots & Paws flyer Seuk Kim is memorialized after his death in a crash during a dog rescue mission.
This story was envisioned as one of a heart-stirring genre, often repeated, about how animals have a way of bringing people together.That it’s not unusual for strangers to stop on a walk to share comments about love of dogs, over a dog.For admirers to soak up a bit of doggie enthusiasm for life or maybe collect a sloppy kiss; enjoying new social encounters, both canine and human.
The story is about one of the many dedicated animal rescuers who felt the pull to help animals, a rescuer who, sadly, died while pursuing that passion. His admirers, including strangers, sought to honor his memory with a bench and plaque commemorating his efforts. But then — the story took a dark twist.
Dedicated dog rescuer, Seuk Kim, of Springfield, died Nov. 24, 2024, while on one of his frequent Pilots N Paws flights to move homeless dogs to available shelters. In a flight intended to go from Manassas Regional Airport to Albany International Airport in New York, Kim’s plane flew into a Catskills mountain, causing Kim’s death, and the death of one of the three dogs who were with him.
Kim, a former financial and marketing executive, had become an avid flyer, earning his private pilot’s license. About four years ago he started flying dog missions; sometimes making as many as three flights a week. He helped dogs find homes and avoid euthanasia by moving them to shelters with available space.
Veterinary college student Rebecca Lynn Randell, who works with rescue dogs and got them to Kim for flights, described him as one who “never said ‘no’, and was always willing to help dogs.” Admiration for the 49-year-old pilot and his passion for helping animals drew attention after the crash.
At his accidental death, the animal rescue community sorely felt the loss of one of their own. A coalition of animal rescue pilots and volunteers, inspired by Kim, formed Seuk’s Army.The group, based in Piedmont, SC, has carried on Kim’s work to move animals on dedicated flights. They hope to establish a pet food pantry and mobile spay/neuter clinic, as well. The group recently celebrated National Puppy Day by transporting 64 dogs and nine cats to available shelters.Find more about the group’s activities at
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572439051565
The group of veterinary college students at Lincoln Memorial University, including Randell, donated funds to memorialize Kim. Wishing to honor him, but unable to travel to attend a gathering for him, instead their college Shelter Medicine Club used bi-annual fundraising sales of LMU logo sweaters, along with added donations from other students who did not know Kim directly, to sponsor a memorial bench and plaque. Working through Fairfax County Park Foundation’s program, they sponsored a bench in the newly created dog park in Monticello Park in Braddock.
When a reporter visited the park to photograph the bench the memorial plaque was missing. In its place was a sign from the county park authority asking that the plaque be returned. Investigation revealed that in early March an anonymous person’s on-line posting said the plaque “was not authorized and if not removed, I will take it down in three days.” The plaque later disappeared. An unofficial spokesperson from the Foundation said, “We were shocked and angered by this action.”
A replacement plaque is on order and will be reinstalled soon.
“We all love and want to work with animals and help shelters find a place for animals to go,” said second year LMU veterinary student Randell. Randell talks of Kim’s tirelessness in that desire, often logging long flights and even landing on snow covered runways to give animals a chance at a home. He surely will be remembered by many for his good deeds — plaque or no plaque.