GREENSBORO, NC – Tom Coble, founder and president of Greensboro, NC-based Coble Trench Safety (CTS), died in a plane crash January 20, 2012, shortly after takeoff from a regional airport in Rainbow City, AL.

Traveling alone, Coble was flying his L-39 Albatross fighter jet back to Burlington, NC. His plane, a Czechoslovakian experimental class aircraft, had undergone routine service and maintenance in Gadsen, AL. Less than a minute after takeoff, the plane caught fire and came down in a wooded, marshy area approximately two miles from the airport. Authorities are investigating the accident; the cause has not yet been determined.

Coble was 58 years old. With more than 42 years of flying experience, he was a well experienced pilot who owned multiple planes and was happiest when in the cockpit. He often joked with friends and family that he stayed in business to support his flying habit.

In 2002, he founded Coble Trench Safety, a regional firm specializing in the rental and sales of trench and traffic safety equipment, as well as OSHA-compliant training classes. CTS has 11 branches from Baltimore, MD, to Knoxville, TN, to Atlanta, GA.

Prior to founding CTS, Coble established and grew Coble Cranes & Equipment/Coble Rents, a Greensboro, NC-based firm he sold in 1999 to a publicly traded company. Coble’s natural entrepreneurial bent was evident early in his career. After graduating from Liberty University, he became the executive pilot for the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, former president of Liberty University. While waiting for Falwell to finish speaking engagements, Coble would work the phones at regional airports, calling local construction firms to see if they were interested in buying or selling equipment. His sideline interest soon turned into a full-scale brokerage. Conflicted by a desire to be in ministry and business, his mind was set at ease by a piece of timely advice from Rev. Falwell: “Tom, God needs businessmen just like he needs pastors.” Emboldened and freed by that advice, Coble went into business full time and launched what was to be a truly remarkable career.

Coble developed a philosophy of business that was firmly grounded in his faith. Among his heroes were R.G. LeTourneau, Art DeMoss and Stanley Tam, men whose beliefs and generosity were unashamedly intertwined with the companies they operated. When asked about his personal success in business, Coble would often reply, “Business is simple. Faith and hard work go hand-in-hand. You pray as if everything depends on God, and you work as if everything depends on you. ”

Among numerous other honors, Coble received the 2011 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, given in recognition of his leadership at Coble Trench Safety in the Carolinas and beyond. Coble’s quick wit, positive attitude, unstoppable drive and solid faith made him a force in his industry. Despite the business success that would distinguish a lesser man, those who knew Tom will remember him for a higher purpose. Coble leveraged his natural affinity for business to fund numerous ministries and charities on the local, regional, national and international levels. One of his greatest delights was personally signing checks each month for the outreaches and efforts he supported. Coble was particularly interested in helping young people grow into motivated Christian leaders, a conviction that caused him to be involved in Alamance County’s Young Life chapter.

A solid and unapologetic Christian, Coble attended Harvest Baptist Church in Burlington and led Alamance County’s Coalition of Concerned Christians. Among other charitable contributions, Coble personally paid for a radio tower in South America to open a new region for the Bible Broadcasting Network. In every check his company issued, Coble made sure a Gospel tract was tucked in to prompt the recipients to consider where they would spend eternity.

Coble is survived by his wife, Debby Coble; parents, PJ and Donna Coble; son, Matt Coble; future daughter-in-law, Ning Yang Gu; daughter, Misty Hedspeth; son-in-law, Matt Hedspeth; and grandchildren: Ryan, Peter and Rosemary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm_KlWP2wV4

The entire IHS team, including all their equipment and supplies, was flown in on the MAG Cessna 206.

The dental clinic saw plenty of action. For many of those receiving care, this was their first time ever seeing a dentist.

Dr. Doug Pflaum, the IHS Team Leader, put the operating room to work for minor surgeries.

Walking for a day or more, then waiting for a day or more...still everyone was happy to see a doctor. The people of Rus Rus were excellent hosts.

Twice a year, doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and technicians from all over the world form an all volunteer force under the banner of International Health Service (IHS) and spread out across the country of Honduras to deliver care to the impoverished.  (see www.ihsmn.org)  In February 2011, IHS came to Rus Rus!

The word went out throughout the jungle villages that a free medical clinic would be held at the Rus Rus Hospital.  People were invited to come – and come they did!  The medical and dental team of 13, led by Dr. Doug Pflaum, saw over 1200 people over the course of 7 days.  They also did a lot of work assessing and servicing medical equipment in the hospital and even got the operating room up and running for some minor surgeries.  The newly operational dental clinic saw a lot of action as well.

Most people arrived on foot, many having walked for an entire day – some for two days – coming from villages all along the Rio Coco, including many from Nicaragua.

The numbers looked like this:
Adult medical visits = 580
Child medical visits = 364
Dental visits = 328
Eye glass recipients = 171
Total visits in 7 days = 1443
Total individual people served = over 1200
That’s over 200 visits or procedures per day!

Just as impressive as the numbers was how the tiny village of Rus Rus jumped into action to help even as they were quickly outnumbered by those arriving for medical care.  Homes were opened.  Vacant houses were made available.  People’s yards became makeshift campsites.  Cooking fires were started.  Over the course of that week, it became clear to the people of Rus Rus that their village had became a hub of “Help and Hope” such as it had not been since the late 1980’s – since the war and the refugee time and the hospital’s “glory days”. The IHS visit served as a wonderful testimonial to the people – that better days lie not behind but ahead!

The IHS visit was also particularly timely in light of the recent dysentery outbreak faced by the area reported in the January 21, 2011 MAG Blog post.  We are happy to report that the care and supplies delivered (free of charge) by the IHS team in addition to the medicine and flights funded by MAG donors, seem to have brought an end to the crisis as no new cases or deaths have been reported since the team left.

The team is reportedly hoping to make the partnership with the Rus Rus Hospital an ongoing part of their annual commitment to the people of Honduras.  We suspect that Denise Wiles’ cooking has something to do with it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zITTzS3fj1M

Long days, hot temperatures, frequent downpours, but done ahead of schedule - and with virtually no interruption to the clinic below.

Measure twice, cut once.......and watch your step!

The Rus Rus Hospital now has a beautiful new roof thanks to a recent volunteer team from West Congregational Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  Nine men escaping the snow and ice of New England winter came to Rus Rus led by MAG regional coordinators Matt Pierce and Carlos Paz.  They were joined by MAG missionary Jeff Hoover and hosted by MAG field missionaries Wes and Denise Wiles who are based in Rus Rus.   The team was aided by several men from the village who also volunteered their time.   
Jeff, a veteran building contractor, reported that “The team could not have done a better job.  Everyone worked so well together, that the entire roof was finished in less than a week – leaving time for other repair and improvement projects that we never thought we could get to.”  The whole town rejoiced over the progress and the wonderful spirit of cooperation, even organizing a community wide church service – a first.   What a blessing!      

With the clinic still open during the work, patients showed up every day, some having walked a day or two with their families in search of medical care.  One family arrived and, surprised by all the activity, the mother asked the head nurse what was going on and why there were so many “white men” there.  The nurse replied “They are here for YOU – to build this hospital for YOU and your family and to bless our people – and they’re not even being paid to do it!”  The woman immediately picked up a broom and, beginning to sweep the waiting room floor, said “Well then I and my family will help also!”  

This represents a critical milestone for the re-opening of the hospital.  The previous roof was in such poor condition that it was impossible to use most of the building, let alone keep anything sterile.  With the building now watertight, bringing medical care, supplies and equipment – even surgery – will now again be possible.  (Good thing – the first medical team arrives in about a week.)  

Our deepest gratitude goes to the folks at West Church in Haverhill, MA for sending this outstanding team of "Men from New England".

MAG missionary Westley Wiles, and some of the men of Rus Rus who helped on the project, give the completed roof a final inspection.

Rus Rus Hospital

December and January have been unusually dry months in eastern Honduras which has cuased water levels to drop. When water levels drop and rivers and streams get slower and dirtier, the immediate consequence is increased dysentery and water born illnesses, especially among children. Such is the case now and villages surrounding Rus Rus have continued to report children dying as a result of severe diarrhea and vomitting. Those who have made it to the hospital have received life saving IV fluids and medication. Many unable to make the trek through the jungle, or unable to contact us for airlift have not been surviving the illness. Dozens of fatalities on both the Honduran and Nicaraguan sides of the Rio Coco have been reported.  Without rain, more are expected.

The hospital at Rus Rus, operated by Missionary Air Group, has responded to the epidemic and is treating as many of these young patients as possible. “The hospital is full but the supply room is empty” said head nurse Geraldina Coleman.   The problem has not been limited to children – several adult deaths have been reported as well – but the little ones are particularly vulnerable, unable to recover from the dehydration that comes with just a few days of diarrhea.

The children of Rus Rus greeting the MAG air ambulance.

As bad as this all sounds, a greater threat lurks on the horizon.  It’s almost harvest time and if “dry” turns to “drought”, then dysentery will be compounded by crop failure and famine.  This reinforces the urgent need for deep wells in order to provide a sustainable clean water supply.  Missionary Air Group is working to establish long term partnerships to aid in community development, health, and water projects for this area.  However, emergency funding is needed immediately to fund additional evacuation flights and to restock the pharmacy in the face of the current crisis.

Will you help?