Welcome to Hank Sasser Airport at Breakaway (40XS)
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The Person Behind The Airport's Name
John Henry Sasser seemed like such a serious name for the laid-back, brown-eyed boy with an easy smile, so everyone called him Hank.
From a young age Hank was an old soul. He enjoyed waking up before dawn to watch the sun rise. He was kind-hearted and a good listener. He loved his family and was a loyal friend.
He was raised to be a Texas Longhorns fan, then eagerly followed in his big sister’s footsteps to the University of Oklahoma. He thrived in young adulthood, finding a calling in leadership and a fascination for aviation.
After graduating from OU, these two passions provided the trajectory for Hank’s life. He spent his days leading and growing a team of professionals in the staffing industry where he liked to say he was “in the business of changing lives.”
On evenings, weekends, and any other free moment he could steal away, he took to the skies over Austin in his prized Citabria, which he dubbed Lil Red.
In short, Hank was living out his dreams, and we wish that is where this narrative ended.
"Keep It Going"
On a sunny Saturday morning on August 2014, Hank died in an accidental plane crash. Suddenly, those who loved Hank most were forced to recalibrate their lives without him in it.
As his family and friends reflected on his 24 years of life in the weeks and months that followed, two things became clear: Hank lived with purpose.
The impact of his purpose-driven life does not end with his death. They had to “Keep it Going”. These three simple words from Hank have become the rally cry for honoring his life by resolving to continue to dream, to impact, to give, and yes, even to fly, in his memory.
Quote from Don Richie: “This young man made an incredible impression on me with his excitement and enthusiasm for aviation. I looked forward to his early morning flights and later his messages about being of like minds when I would post pictures of washing my plane. He once said it must be the coolest thing ever to own an airport. WELL, CHAMP, YOU DID EVEN BETTER, YOU HAVE A WHOLE DANG AIRPORT NAMED AFTER YOU!”
