'Steve Pace was a dear friend of mine..... he passed away in his sleep sometime during the evening of Wednesday the 18th, from an apparent heart attack. He was loved by so many, including me, you couldn't have asked for a better friend. He was such a sweet soul. His work will forever live in the hearts of those readers that loves aviation the way he did. And he would have wanted me to say thanks to those those that helped him with his books. His final book, that was just completed is called Skunk Works and it will come out in mid December. It was his 32nd or 33rd book on Aviation. He was truly proud of this last one. Gods speed Steve, rest in peace until we meet again.'