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Airplane crash kills two Cape Girardeau menMonday, November 2, 2009BLODGETT, Mo. -- Two Cape Girardeau men died when their small single-engine airplane crashed during takeoff from a private landing strip, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said this evening. Paul Fisher, a former U.S. DEA agent, and Robbie Rollins, president of Delta Express Inc., were unable to escape their small airplane after it clipped a small shed with its wing, somersaulted and burst into flames, Walter said. The first emergency call came in shortly after noon, Walter said. The private landing strip is south of Scott County Road 524. Fisher and Rollins, both experienced fliers, were visiting the owner of the property and returning to the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport when the crash occurred, he said. Walter said he knew both men. "Both of them are real good guys, and they definitely will be missed," Walter said. About 4 p.m., the crash scene was turned over to the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration, Walter said. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board will arrive Monday, he said. The bodies of both men were turned over to Scott County Coroner Scott Amick and autopsies will be performed, Walter said. The name of the property owner is not being released, Walter said. 388-3642 Comments  Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. Please also note that those who post comments on semissourian.com may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
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Even extra good pilots can make one little error and this can happen. My prayers are with the two familys.
.....and so it goes.
On behalf of the Australian and New Zealand drivers that worked for Delta Express Inc., we proudly remember the man who welcomed us with open arms, had faith in us to be safe on American roads and to do the job he set us, and who treated us like his extended family. He will be sadly missed. Our though are with his family and the staff and drivers of Delta Express at this time.
Kia Kaha ! Be strong.
God Bless Them And Their Family's.
This is Robbie's brother in Houston. Our family is absolutely devastated but we are so thankful for the many friends that have expressed their love and devotion to us.
If you attend the services, please let me shake your hand. My little brother was a positive force not only in the community but in all of our hearts. We celebrate his life and pray for Judi and his precious girls.
May God bless all of our dear friends in Southeast Mo. We love you all!
Paul Rollins
This was so horrible to hear about and so hard to understand how it could have happened. It was a beautiful day to fly, and not for one moment would anyone think that these two men wouldn't be returning home to their loved ones at the end of the day. It really makes you realize how quickly life can forever change in the blink of an eye. With God's loving arms around them, may they some how make it through this terrible time.
My wife and I both drive for Delta Express because of the help that Robbie gave us and were truly shocked when we heard the terrible, terrible news and our prayers got out to everyone who new this wonderful man. God bless you all. We will surely miss you Robbie, goodbye.
I had the joy of knowing Robbie for a few years and he was a wonderful man who adored his wife and daughters, worked hard, appreciated his community and thorouhgly supported the school system. Let's keep his legacy going. Thoughts and prayers for a very special person who will be tremendously missed. My heart breaks for his family.
Both of these guys were good pilots, neither of them big risk takers. And they were advocates of the airport. Both made considerable efforts to advance aviation in the area. They will be missed by all.
The news was shocking.
My prayers are for the family of both Paul and Robbie, great guys.
I knew Robbie many years ago while he and I both worked for Sam Tanklsey Trucking. At the time, Robbie worked part time in the parts department of Tanksley trucking while attending college. I recall Robbie saying that some day he would be our boss. He had much ambition. It turned out that Robbie did quite well in his career. I really liked Robbie, he was a nice guy.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of survivors and friends of Mr. Fisher and Mr. Rollins. I just spent a few minutes looking a little further into this story and it is indeed tragic.
My husband I have worked for Robbie for several years. He was a great guy to work for and will be missed by everyone at Delta Express.Our condolences go out to all of his family. Southeast MO is a better place for having known and loved Robbie Rollins.
Thoughts and prayers to the family. So very sorry for your loss.
Robbie was a great friend. He was the type that you could sit down and eat lunch with and really look forward to a great conversation. I will really miss that. Robbie was also very enthusiastic and progressive about seeing the Cape airport grow and prosper. There will be a huge void now that will be tough to replace. The news of the accident was devastating but I do know that he passed doing something he loved to do. You will be missed Robbie and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family as well as Paul Fisher's. May God be with you my friend.
Our prayers go out to the families of both these men. What a tragic thing to happen to such fine people who made such a tremendous contribution to the lives of those who knew them. The children are especially in our prayers.
Paul G. Fisher III, was the son of Paul Fisher II of Sikeston, MO. Paul G. was an excellent pilot, and as "fightingindian" mentioned in his post, not a person to take risks in his airplane. Paul G. was my Brother-in-law, and a great friend. His generosity, farming knowhow, and business skills were without peer. My Prayers go up to the Lord for his Dear Wife, his Sisters, and Brother. Paul G. Fisher will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Being drivers for Delta Express and employees of Robbie Rollins we were shocked to hear the news, Robbie was a very good person, treated us with respect, kindness always.Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and Pauls, we will miss Robbie very much!!He wasn't just a boss, but a friend. We will miss him, Kevin Greable, Chris Bowman
My deepest sympathy to Peggy and the Fisher family and the Rollins family. Paul was my friend and I will miss his tremendous wit, intelligence and generous heart.
Our deepest sympathy to Mr Rollins family & employees at Delta Express, My husband Gerry & I worked at Delta Express Ltd on a 6 mth work visa back in 2001/2002. Robbie was a wonderful boss to us & made our stay at Delta extremely welcoming. To hear this tragic new saddens us deeply & we are thinking of everyone close to these 2 men. We will miss the emails that we received whist still in contact with Robbie all these years after. We were the first kiwis to drive there - and I think we left a lasting impression on Robbie - that we will treasure! Ro & Gerry Storey, GISBORNE, NEW ZEALAND
I really looked up to Robbie. He has been wonderful to work for. He treated us all wonderfuly and I know I speak for everyone at Delta Express, Inc. when I say that we will all miss him dearly. I know that he is with God now and I send my prayers to his family. I cannot even imagine what they are going through.
Robbie you were an amazing man and you are going to be missed greatly!!
I attended church at First Baptist with the Rollins family back when I lived in Cape from 2000-2002. I remember Robbie as being extremely kind and jovial; he always made an effort to make me feel welcome there. It was with deep shock and sadness that I learned of his passing. To Judi, the girls and is extended family, I want to let you know that you are in my prayers.
I knew both men and just as Phil Penzel said, " Robbie was so easy to talk and worried about the community" My family and church family has put both familiesin our thoughts and prayers. May God be with ya all.
To Judi and the girls as well as all the employees of Delta Express, my prayers are with you. I worked for Delta Express for 2 years while in college. Robbie and Judi were generous people who made me feel at home. My heart breaks with you for such a tremendous loss. May God comfort you in this time. Kelly (Heuman) Ethington
Paul Fisher was a good friend of my husband and the last person to talk to Paul and Robbie before the accident. He would help my husband with repairs to his plane and never expect payment. He did it out of kindness for his friend. He was a giver and not a taker. My husband is taking Paul's and Robbie's death very hard. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Peggy and Robbie's family. God Bless you all!!!
Agie
My Husband and I would just like to say that Robbie Rollins was a great guy and helped us out in so many ways. He was always so nice and willing to listen. It will not be the same going in to Delta knowing he isn't there. While I am not driving now, I cannot forget how he helped us when I had to take my driving test over, because of the trouble that they had from the school in Sikeston. Robbie was awesome about it and said don't worry it will be okay, and it was.
We are still in shock, and we pray for all his family, and our friends at Delta. I know that my husband who still works there thinks very highly of Robbie, and I really can't say that anyone we have come across who knows him thought badly of him.
We will miss you Robbie.
My thoughts and Prayers include Judy and the three daughters of Robbie Rollins and also his brother Paul Rollins. This is a tragic event. May God be with the families in this time of sorrow and give them the strength needed to make it through this .
May God Bless and keep the families safe.
God bless Robbie, Paul and their families. Everyone in San Diego will miss Robbie. WE are saddened he left us so soon. Judy, we love you and your beautiful daughters! We are all heart-broken over your loss. Robbie, we'll see you again at our family reunion in paradise! The Schofields, Decelles and Alexander families
I have worked for Robbie and Judy Rollins for the last 9 plus years.Never in my life have I ever had more respect for two people as I do them.I still have a strange feeling inside and suspect I will for a long time over our loss. To us at Delta If you needed anything he did all he could to help.When the times got tough he was the man.He kept us working and gave us a place we could be PROUD to say we worked for him.Robbie was truley a great friend of mine and I will miss him dearly.And I will do all I can to see that his Legacy will continue on.
Good bye my dear friend and I hope I will see you soon.
I have worked for Delta Express for 2 1/2 years. When I started with this company, I thought only of staying long enough to find "the perfect job". I was certainly impressed with Robbie's "hands on" way of managing his company!! He was always involved in the day-to-day operations, lending assistance wherever it was needed. He was always accessible to every one of his employees, including all of us drivers. He truly was one of the best "company owners" that I have ever had the pleasure to work for. He will definitely be missed!! My heartfelt sympathies go out to Mrs.Rollins, their daughters, and all of his extended family.
Thomas Longbine
What a blessing to read the many heart-warming, inspiring comments regarding Robbie. He gave his family and his Lord a good name! I hope and pray those who commented about him and his family follow the example he obviously set. Surely his wife and children will find a measure of peace knowing how respected and loved their husband and father was.
Jack (Jay) Rollins, cousin
Even though I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rollins or Mr. Fisher, I do have a poem that I hope I am able to post here. It is called --
"A Note from Heaven" --- If I could write from Heaven, this is what I'd say, Please don't miss me too much, I'm with you throughout your day. You may not see or hear me, but if you're quiet and still, you may just feel my presence, because, in Heaven, there is free will. Don't worry for the day, it will come and go as planned. Enjoy each moment you are given, keep worry from your hand. Keep sorrow to a minimum, for if Heaven you could see, you'd know I'm safe and happy, I did not cease to be. Moments in time are brief, until we'll be together again, as Eternity lasts forever, our lives, they have no end. (Authour Unknown)
I pray you find peace in this sorrowful time. May your memories bring you joy, instead of pain.
Brenda Longbine, Tom's wife
My husband and I came from Western Australia to work for Delta in 2003. Very early on we had a new Grandaughter born back home and Robbie arranged for her photo to come through his office equipment. We all waited anxiously for her image to appear and Robbie was just as excited as we were. He glowed when he told us how happy he was when his daughters were born. We were privilaged to witness the essence of this man in this instance and many more alike. We admired his frankness, strenghth and business sense. What a fabulous boss, what a great friend, what a wonderful ride. We were able to catch up where we left off on our recent visit to Cape and we thank God for the happy chat, handshakes and hugs and we will cherish them always. All of our hearts and prayers are with Judi, Rebecca, Katherine and Caroline. Loving thoughts are with Robbie's family and the families of Paul Fisher and our friends at Delta Express. Peta and Mike
I'm am heartbroken for these families. I didn't know the Fisher gentleman and only had met Mr. Rollins. But, I've known Katherine since she was a young child. She is a sweet young women. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her mother and sisters. I'm so sorry they're all suffering such a tragic and seemingly senseless loss.