Roy Hines of Raleigh collapsed June 6 while having dinner with his family, celebrating his 60th birthday. He could not be revived.
Hines had hoped to become a pilot when he was young but after being diagnosed with diabetes he hit the toolbox instead. After working for other FBOs, he opened his own shop at Raleigh East Airport in Knightdale. In 1995, he closed his business and became a mechanic with the North Carolina Division of Aviation at RDU.
Last year, the FAA named Hines its Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year for North Carolina.