Dear members,

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Maurice LEDENT on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Maurice Ledent passed away in Verviers, Belgium, in his eightieth year. From a young age, he was passionate about gliding, starting at the Belgian National Gliding Center in Saint-Hubert. After a long break, he resumed regular flying in the early 1980s, joining Vinon in the wake of the Sander family, like so many other Belgian friends.

Maurice was what we call a committed member. In Verviers, the gliders re-covered with our former president Vincent Braibant can be counted on two hands, and the cinder block walls of the hangars still bear the marks of his work. Taking advantage of early retirement—a common practice at the time—he then devoted much of his time to Vinon.

Over the years, he had given up gliding to devote himself to towing, always faithful to his post. He had also become one of the pillars of the workshop, assisting Johnny with the gelcoating of gliders.

More than ten years ago, a stroke unfortunately left him severely disabled. Despite this, he continued to come to Vinon until his heart was no longer in it and he gave up joining us.

Our thoughts go out to Anne-Marie and her children. Time passes and memories fade, but Maurice will remain in our memories.