The father of an American victim in the French Alps plane crash spoke on Thursday (March 26) about the loss of his 37-year old son.
Robert Tansill Oliver is a 73-year-old retired English teacher born in New York who has lived in Barcelona since 1966.
Robert Tansill Oliver is a 73-year-old retired English teacher born in New York who has lived in Barcelona since 1966.
Robert Oliver Calvo, his son, aged 37, was born in Barcelona but was an American citizen. He worked for the Barcelona-based clothing company Desigual.
“All fathers and mothers, families who have lost a loved one, a son, a daughter, a loved one, to death, I’d encourage them to not focus on those last 10 minutes, the final crash. I’d like to encourage them to think about the wonderful years that they have enjoyed of life together, those wonderful moments, happy moments with the family, with friends, the name, their reputation, think about the good moments, the wonderful moments, and of course think about the future,” he told Reuters in an interview.
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Oliver said he and his wife chose not travel to the crash site in France, where the plane came down en route between Barcelona and Duesseldorf, because they were told by authorities that they would not be able to see a body or any belongings of the victims just yet.
“We would have liked to have gone, but upon receiving information in French channels, channels here in Spain, news reports, newspapers, there is nothing to see. Some people feel better getting closer to where their loved ones might be, but in this case, we would like to go when something can be identified, one of their belongings can be identified, then of course we would like to go, but for the moment we prefer to be with our grandchildren and with the wife of our son to comfort them and be alongside them.”
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Oliver said that his decision also follows his beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness.
“We know because the Bible teaches us that when that kingdom comes, then our loved ones will return from the dead, be resurrected and will have the opportunity to live forever in a paradise Earth. That hope, that comfort, is in those, in these moments is helping us tremendously,” he said.
Robert Calvo left behind, a wife and two children
Ventuno/Reuters