CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A flight attendant who tragically lost his life in a midair collision last week near Washington, D.C., was celebrated for his dedication to family and a love for travel during a memorial service on Wednesday. Ian Epstein was one of the 67 victims in the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States since 2001, and his loved ones gathered to honor his memory.
The remembrance took place at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Charlotte. At 53 years of age, Epstein was cherished as a devoted father, stepfather, husband, brother, and uncle, whose airline career allowed him to meet diverse individuals and journey to various places around the globe.
Epstein’s family shared heartfelt reflections, with his wife, Debra, affectionately referring to him as her “fifth child” during their family trips to Disney World. His daughters recounted memories of their father assisting them in overcoming fears and creatively preparing meals with available ingredients. Debra Epstein mentioned that a schedule change had placed him on the flight that ultimately crashed, yet she believes he was meant to be aboard that specific journey, filled with joy and laughter prior to the disaster.
The gathering was attended by friends and fellow flight attendants, many of whom wore their uniforms in tribute to Epstein’s work.
In addition to the service, a public vigil was organized to honor the lives lost in the tragic incident involving an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash resulted in the loss of all individuals on both aircraft.
Rabbi Yossi Groner acknowledged the numerous social media tributes showcasing Epstein’s interactions with passengers, from soothing restless infants to sharing jokes that made flights memorable. Groner described Epstein as possessing a warmth and humility that radiated from him. He remarked, “His true joy in life was helping those around him.”
Lynne Southmayd, a former flight attendant who trained alongside Epstein five years ago, spoke fondly of him, describing how he brought light and humor to a challenging environment. “He could make us laugh no matter how hard we were crying,” Southmayd recalled, noting the strong bond shared among the attendants due to their trust and collaboration for safety in the skies.
While leading the service for Epstein, Groner offered words of solace, emphasizing that despite the overwhelming pain experienced by those mourning the loss of loved ones, the essence of their souls remains eternal. “The message is that whatever they accomplished in life, the positive things they did, we would like to carry on for the future and know that there will be a better world in the future,” he expressed.
The memorials came just a day after officials confirmed that all victims’ remains had been recovered, although the investigation into the crash, which sent both aircraft into the Potomac River, is still ongoing. Most of the victims have been identified.
Onboard the American Airlines flight, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, there were 60 passengers and four crew members, including figure skaters returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The Black Hawk helicopter was conducting a training mission at the time of the collision. Three Army personnel were also lost, including Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, and Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach.
