by: Larry Hannan | Florida Times Union
David Hines loved his job as a transplant technician at the Mayo Clinic.
“I feel I have the best job in the world,” Hines wrote on his Facebook page. “The reason is because of the nature of the job and the direct contact of the people who I work with.”
On Monday, Hines died doing his job when a helicopter he was riding in went down in Clay County. He was flying to Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville to pick up a heart for transplant.
On Tuesday, the death was still raw for Christa Clark, whose father was Hines’ roommate.
“I was in shock when I heard what happened,” said Clark, who declined to give her father’s name because he was out of town.
Hines, 57, was a genuinely nice person.
“I guess you kind of have to be nice to do that job,” Clark said.
Hines, who has 25 years of military service, was also a former master sergeant in the 125th Fighter Wing of the Florida National Guard. He joined in 2001 as a medical service craftsman and an optometry technician and retired in 2006.
“This tragedy emphasizes the dedication of those who risk their lives in order to give life to others,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, former state air surgeon for the Florida National Guard, in a written statement. “I was always impressed with David’s skill and dedication, as we worked together both in military and civilian careers.”
Hines was also one of the founding members of the Florida National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Nuclear Radiological and High Yield Explosive Enhanced Forced Package, which is designed to assist during disasters.
Ron Graves knew Hines when he worked at SK Jets as one of the people who ferried the Mayo staff around on transplant pickups.
SK Jets President E. Hoke Smith was also killed in Monday’s accident.
“I got to know David as a generous, pleasant, friendly and helpful person,” said Graves, who now lives in Canada. “David never spoke ill of anyone and always had a cheerful demeanor.”
The selfless dedication of Hines’ delivering donor organs was extraordinary, Graves said, and he mourns for all the people killed and their families.
Kendra Sims, who worked with the organ procurement organization Lifequest, which offers organs to Mayo on a regular basis, said it was always a relief when Hines showed up.
“It’s like I could breathe a sigh of relief because I knew he would come in with the best attitude and jump right in, especially when he knew I was tired,” Sims said. “He was so proficient at what he did and all the [organ replacement] team and surgeons loved working with him.”
Cheryl Martin, a Mayo organ recovery coordinator, said she worked many times with Hines.
“He was a great teacher and mentor to the field of organ recovery and transplantation,” Martin said. “There are simply not enough wonderful things to say about Dave to be able to fully describe him. He will greatly be missed.”
Video: Mayo Clinic