A pilot who dedicated himself to rescuing dogs and cats in need died on a mission late last month, and he’s being remembered as a kind and passionate man. One of the dogs who was on his last flight has also been reunited with him in a touching way.

Forty-nine-year-old Seuk Kim, a volunteer for the rescue organization Pilots N Paws, was flying three dogs from Maryland to Albany, New York, on November 24 when, for unknown reasons, his plane went down in the snowy Catskill Mountains. He and one of the dogs on board, Lisa, died, but the other two survived and are recovering from their injuries.

Kim’s death has been felt heavily by many of his fellow animal rescuers.

In a Facebook post, Pilots N Paws said, “Seuk’s kindness and positivity touched everyone who worked with him. Whether it was mentoring new pilots, organizing presentations to recruit volunteers, or simply offering a kind word, Seuk brought people and animals together. Seuk’s legacy will live on through the hundreds of lives he saved and everyone he worked alongside within the rescue community.”

According to the organization, Kim had volunteered for them since March 2022, usually flying twice a week. He also worked hard to recruit other pilots to the cause and was able to do so regularly with his enthusiasm.

Throughout his time volunteering with several organizations, he transported dogs and cats impacted by disasters or stuck in overcrowded shelters. In the only four years since receiving his pilot’s license, he’d made a big impact.

Penny Edwards, transport coordinator for the organization Forever Changed Animal Rescue, says, “It’s just so amazing how many lives he touched and impacted in such a short time that he was flying. It wasn’t just about rescuing animals. He was just so involved with the community.”

In a heartfelt way to honor his work, a fellow Pilots N Paws volunteer flew the ashes of Lisa the dog from New York back to Kim’s family in Virginia. His daughter Leah says he cared enough about her to risk his life to save her, so they felt it would be best to take care of her and finish what he started.

The family plans to bury Lisa's ashes in their backyard with the ashes of a beloved family dog who has also passed away.