Clark Stahl was the News Chopper pilot for KIRO (Seattle) for more than 30 years.

Yesterday he passed away.

Stahl started at KIRO in the 1980's as a backup pilot before becoming a full-time employee. He retired in 2012. During that retirement he remained close friends with many at the station.

"Clark Stahl was as good a reporter as he was a pilot... an invaluable team member for the better part of three decades here at KIRO. But more than that he was a husband, a father and grandfather, and a dear friend to all of us. He will be missed terribly, but always remembered with a smile," KIRO 7 anchor Steve Raible said.

Stahl, who was 72, will be missed by his KIRO 7 family and all those who knew this remarkable man.

H/T KIRO