Carnahan's plane crash recalled, mourned at vigil

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- On the anniversary of their deaths Tuesday, former Gov. Mel Carnahan, his son Randy Carnahan and aide Chris Sifford were again mourned and remembered.

"A year ago our hearts were gripped with grief like a fist squeezing out all the joy," said Roy Temple, a long-time Carnahan associate and Sifford's best friend since their boyhood days in Puxico, Mo.

"Still, we knew Oct. 16, 2000, was a turning point. We didn't yet know how, exactly, but we all knew, each in our own way, it was a turning point."

Approximately 175 people, including members of the Carnahan and Sifford families and various state officials, attended the candlelight vigil in the Capitol rotunda marking the plane crash that killed the three men.

Temple, currently the chief of staff for the fallen governor's widow, U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, said the tragedy is still difficult to grasp.

"With a full year to put this in perspective, I still don't understand certain things about it any better than I ever did," Temple said. "But I do know three very extraordinary people boarded a plane a year ago tonight."

Randy Carnahan was remembered for pursuing interests as varied as the law and whitewater rafting with full vigor; Sifford as a "truly loyal friend" who was ever at the governor's side; and Mel Carnahan as a dedicated public servant committed to his fellow Missourians.

Sue Sifford, Chris' younger sister, said the while loss of her brother has been difficult for her family, they are also incredibly proud at what he had accomplished in his short life.

"He was doing exactly what he wanted to do," Sifford said. "He was living his dreams with his best friend -- Mel Carnahan."

Using power for people

Deborah Carnahan, wife of one of the governor's surviving sons, state Rep. Russ Carnahan, said her father-in-law was a humble man, no matter how high he climbed on the political ladder.

"The only use that Mel Carnahan had for power was how did that power enabled him to help people's lives," she said.

At 7:32 p.m., the crowd lit candles and prayed silently to mark the minute that radar contact with the plane, piloted by Randy, was lost over a rugged region of Jefferson County.

Discussing the tragedy of a year ago sparked much reflection on the tragedy of a month ago. Both offer important lessons, said Russ Carnahan.

"If there are lessons to be learned from the wonderful lives of these three men, it is that in this world of ours none of us can afford to be followers, standing on the sidelines," he said. "Today we face circumstances that last year would have been incomprehensible. The energies and talents of all of us are needed to meet the challenges of today and beyond. ... Dad, Randy and Chris would want us to get on with the work at hand -- together."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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