EXCLUSIVE: Family of victim in deadly helicopter crash shares special memories about his life
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (KFOR) – KFOR is learning more about one of the victims who was killed in the deadly helicopter crash near Weatherford over the weekend that tragically claimed three lives.
On board Saturday night was pilot Russell Haslam, flight paramedic Steven Fitzgerald, and flight nurse Adam Tebben.
One heartbroken family spoke exclusively with KFOR on Tuesday morning.
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KFOR spoke with flight nurse Adam Tebben’s dad, who said he cannot help but be proud of his son who always put others before himself.
“He really loved that job and unfortunately, he had to pass doing it,” said Dallas Tebben, Adam Tebben’s father.
Dallas Tebben from Emporia, Kansas, shared stories about his son, Adam, who leaves behind a wife, sister, and two parents.
“I’m confident that he’s in heaven and we all are. He knew the Lord. And that’s important. From a young age, we tried to stress to him how important that was. And we were fortunate to have him for 35 plus years,” said Tebben.
Tebben said his son had a passion for taking care of others both medically and personally. You could always count on him for help.
“He would just step up to the plate to help people… He was a good son… We were very proud,” said Tebben.
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Adam’s dad said he loved nursing. His talent even elected him as president of the National Student Nurses’ Association in 2016.
“That’s a gift. It’s a talent from God to have that. And so, and he knew he was gifted, but he never bragged about it,” said Tebben.
Adam’s family is now mourning but also remembering the impact he made in so many lives.
His dad wanted to share a special message he received from a friend after hearing about Adam’s passing.
Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.
Quote by Jamie Anderson
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Adam was only 35 years old. Now, the family is waiting until they can bring him home.
“They have to release the body. And we plan on driving down to Oklahoma City and escort Adam home… We want to bring him home so we can proceed with a funeral,” said Tebben
To honor his legacy, Tebben said they have started a scholarship fund in Adam’s name at the college he attended in the nursing program at Emporia State University.
As for the funeral, the family is hoping they can have it this Saturday if everything goes according to plan with the authorities.
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