Rich Hiegels writes:

Les King passed on December 11. Les was instrumental in the early
days of the hang gliding movement in the DC area. He had a full time shop in
Gaithersburg from the mid 70's through the early 80's. He was an avid pilot,
inventor, philosopher, and instructor. He collaborated with the famous Paul
MacCready at AeroVironment. I know that I will miss him.

"Les King of Tehachapi is survived by his wife Marilyn. Les was an avid fan of
all things flying, from foot launched full-size to hand-launched models to
microlite kit built possibilities, and always had something on his drawing
board. Les was a contributor across decades to the Experimental Soaring Assn.
From its SHA inception. More recently he filed patent rights on wind energy
technology, and enjoyed the camaraderie of friends and builders on the Mountain
Valley Airport. Passed December 11, in Bakersfield, CA."

Les ran Sport Flight a full time Hang Gliding Shop In Gaithersburg Md from the
early 70s until the late 80's before moving out to California. Les was
instrumental to bringing hang gliding to the Mid-Alantic Region. You can not
over state the impact Les had on the formation of hang gliding in the 70's into
the late 80's. Les was responsible for teaching and guiding hundreds of students
into the sport of hang gliding..