CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A flight attendant who tragically lost his life in a midair collision last week near Washington, D.C., has been remembered for his strong commitment to family and his love for travel. Ian Epstein’s family, along with others, gathered to commemorate the 67 victims of the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States since 2001.
The celebration honoring Epstein took place at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Charlotte. The 53-year-old was fondly remembered as a devoted father, stepfather, husband, brother, and uncle, who had a career that allowed him to connect with others and explore diverse places around the globe.
During the service, Epstein’s wife, Debra, and their daughters recounted cherished memories of him as an adventurous and caring dad. Debra affectionately referred to her husband as her fifth child during family trips to Disney World. His daughters shared heartwarming stories of how their father helped them face their fears or created meals from simple ingredients like tuna.
Debra mentioned that a change in Epstein’s work schedule led him to be on the flight that crashed. She expressed her belief that his presence was meant to be on that destination, stating, “We believe he was supposed to be on that flight because it was full of laughter and fun before the tragedy.”
The event was attended by numerous individuals in pilot and flight attendant uniforms as well as friends of the family. A public vigil was also scheduled for Wednesday evening to honor all those who lost their lives in the unfortunate event involving a passenger plane from American Airlines and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which collided near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in the death of everyone on board both aircraft.
Rabbi Yossi Groner highlighted the warmth and humor that defined Epstein, recalling how social media showed Epstein making flights joyful by soothing fussy babies and bringing laughter to passengers. “His true joy in life was helping those around him,” Groner remarked, describing Epstein as someone who radiated positivity.
Lynne Southmayd, who trained as a flight attendant alongside Epstein five years ago, reminisced about the challenges of their training period. She noted how Epstein always had a knack for lightening the mood, saying, “He could make us laugh no matter how hard we were crying.” Although Southmayd no longer works in the industry, she traveled from Delaware to pay tribute to her friend, sharing a unique bond built on trust and teamwork in their profession, which had maintained a strong safety record.
Before leading the service in Epstein’s honor, Rabbi Groner conveyed a message of hope to those mourning the victims. He emphasized that even amidst the profound sorrow, the souls of the victims were eternal and their lives were meaningful. “The message is that whatever they accomplished in life, the positive things they did, that we would like to carry on for the future and know that there will be a better world in the future,” Groner stated.
The memorials took place a day after federal authorities confirmed that the remains of all victims had been recovered. The investigation into the cause of the collision, which resulted in both aircraft falling into the Potomac River, is ongoing. All victims have been identified, and their remains are being returned to their respective families.
The American Airlines flight was carrying 60 passengers along with four crew members, including figure skaters returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission, with Army personnel aboard, including Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, from Great Mills, Maryland; and Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach of Durham, North Carolina.
