URGENT UPDATE: In a heartfelt tribute, Lynda Leigh guided her late husband, David Henry Stephens, on his final journey to the crematorium with rally car-style directions. The emotional scene unfolded as Lynda, a grieving widow, called out commands—”Straight on, left, right, crest, 100 metres, don’t cut”—while the hearse made its way to his last resting place.
This poignant farewell took place on December 18, with Lynda reflecting on David’s life as a passionate motorsport enthusiast and a devoted husband. David tragically lost his life on July 15, 2025, after a fatal crash while flying over the Snowy Mountains. Lynda described him as “a knight with a calculator,” a man who dedicated his life to helping others while pursuing his love for rallying and aviation.
As Lynda recalled their time together, she held onto David’s wedding ring—one of the few tangible reminders of their life together. She emphasized the importance of celebrating his achievements rather than focusing solely on his tragic death. “He should be remembered for what he did and how he lived, not how he died,” Lynda asserted.
David was born on November 11, 1952, in Camperdown, NSW. He grew up in Sydney’s Upper North Shore before attending The King’s School, where he excelled academically. His studies were interrupted when he was conscripted for national service during the Vietnam War, where he flew gunships for the United States.
After returning home, David pursued a successful career as a mining engineer and later as a commercial accountant. He and Lynda’s paths crossed in 2013 when she sought his accounting services, unknowingly igniting a romantic connection that would last for over a decade. Lynda fondly reminisced, “He was my accountant, which was quite naughty when you think about it.”
Their relationship blossomed, characterized by shared passions for motorsport and flying. Lynda recounted the joy David found in sending her excited texts about his rally car adventures, saying, “I wasn’t dating a 60-year-old at that time, I was dating a ’16-year-old’ at heart.”
In the years leading up to his untimely death, David battled stage four kidney cancer but remained hopeful of returning to the skies. After achieving five years of being cancer-free, he realized his dream of becoming a pilot, prompting Lynda to encourage him to fly again. She recalled a touching moment when he texted her simply, “Look up,” a reminder of his love for flying.
On the day of his fatal flight, Lynda described their last moments together. She dropped David off for his flight preparations and returned to bring him his forgotten water bottle—an act that underscored her deep care for him. “I was very tempted to watch him fly, but I left because of the puppies,” she reflected.
As Lynda navigated the hearse to the crematorium, she felt a sense of closure in honoring David’s adventurous spirit. Their love story, marked by laughter, shared dreams, and unyielding support, is a powerful testament to a life lived fully.
Authorities confirmed that David’s passing has left a significant impact on the local community, with many remembering him as a generous spirit who touched the lives of those around him.
As Lynda continues to navigate her grief, she hopes to keep David’s memory alive, reminding others that “there’s so much about his death” but also about the joy he brought to many.
Expect to hear more about Lynda’s journey of remembrance in the coming weeks as she shares David’s story with the world.
