The remains of a brown and white puppy named Lisa, who tragically lost her life in a plane crash last week in the Catskill Mountains of New York, were transported on Sunday to the family of the volunteer pilot who attempted to rescue her. Seuk Kim, 49, perished while trying to save Lisa, demonstrating his dedication to animal rescue through his involvement with the organization Pilots n Paws.
Leah Kim, Seuk’s 16-year-old daughter, shared that the family conceived the idea of a memorial flight to honor her father’s mission with the rescue group, aiming to give Lisa the loving home she deserved. “We convened as a family to discuss what we wanted to do with his remains. When we were given the option to receive Lisa’s ashes, we realized it was important for us to have her with us,” Leah recounted during a phone conversation from Springfield, Virginia. She emphasized the bond that her father had with Lisa, stating, “He genuinely cared for her enough to risk his life in an attempt to save her. We feel a duty to continue his efforts.”
On November 24, Seuk Kim embarked on a flight from Maryland to Albany, New York, carrying Lisa and two other small dogs aboard his 1986 Mooney M20J. Unfortunately, the plane crashed in the snowy and rugged terrain of southeastern New York under still undetermined circumstances. While Seuk and Lisa were killed in the incident, the other two dogs managed to survive.
On Sunday, Chris Moon, a fellow pilot and friend connected to Pilots n Paws, traveled to Albany to collect Lisa’s ashes, subsequently bringing them back to Virginia for the Kim family. Leah indicated that they plan to honor Lisa by burying her ashes in their backyard, alongside those of their cherished miniature poodle. “Having Lisa nearby gives us solace,” she noted.
In addition, a funeral service is scheduled for Thursday to honor Seuk Kim. Originally from South Korea, Seuk had dreamt of flying since childhood. Four years ago, after obtaining his pilot’s license, he began transporting animals from disaster sites and crowded shelters, focusing on helping those in need. “He routinely made several trips a week to rescue animals for various organizations, often sharing stories about the cats and dogs he saved,” Leah explained.
Leah highlighted her father’s deep passion for animals, stating, “He always had a special connection with them; they were truly one of his greatest loves.” Penny Edwards, the transport coordinator for Forever Changed Animal Rescue, expressed her admiration for Seuk Kim, describing him as an extraordinary individual who inspired the organization to deliver essential supplies to Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina this fall. “It’s remarkable how many lives he impacted in such a brief period,” she added. “His work extended beyond animal rescue; he was actively involved in bettering the community.”