Friends Mourn Teacher Lost In Hamptons Plane Crash

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Almost one week after a tragic plane crash off Quogue, those who loved Dr. Jennifer Landrum — who was onboard the flight along with Richard P. Terbrusch and pilot Munidat "Raj" Persaud — are mourning her loss.

Trevor Roberson, principal at Thomson High School in Thomson, GA, where Landrum taught special education, shared a heartfelt statement with Patch:

"I worked with Dr. Jennifer Landrum in the Warren County School System from 2013 to 2017 and at Thomson High School from August of this year until her untimely passing on Saturday. Dr. Landrum really loved teaching. She was always looking for ways to improve herself professionally, which is evidenced by the number of degrees and certifications that she had."

She was certified to teach English, history, and special education, and also certified in educational leadership, meaning that she had the credentials to become a principal or even a school superintendent, he said.

"When I hired her at Warren County High School several years ago, she told me that she was willing to
get whatever certification that she needed to help the school. On more than one occasion, she attended technology conferences to look for new ways to bring technology into the classroom for the purpose of enhancing student learning," Roberson said. "Dr. Landrum was a thinker and a problem solver. She was always looking for ways to make things better. If she saw a problem, she didn’t come to me and tell me that there was a problem that I needed to fix, she would come to me and say, 'I think that we have a problem, and if it is okay with you, this is how I think that we can solve it.' Regardless of the
problem, her solution would always be well thought out."

Reflecting on his friend and colleague, Roberson said: " Dr. Landrum had a keen sense of style. Her signature look was a white business suit with a colorful blouse and accessories. In spite of the fact that she was always immaculately dressed, she wasn’t a person who just stood around and watched things happen. She was always willing to jump in and work. She was willing to do whatever she was
asked to do, and she would do it with a willing heart and a smile on her face. On several occasions, she would work in the football concession stand, or sell tickets at the basketball or football gate. If she got an ink stain on her pants, it would upset her students, but it didn’t bother Dr. Landrum, because even though looking professional was important to her, it didn't supercede the work that she was doing."

Dr. Landrum loved her students and co-workers, he said. "She was always rewarding her students for good behavior. She spent a lot of time and effort with them and to her, they were all good kids. I don’t think that I ever heard her raise her voice in anger. Her disposition was always bright and sunny, and she was quick to bring pizza or doughnuts to school for both students and co-workers. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word to say. We will miss her bright and loving spirit."

According to her obituary: "She was a devoted educator, inspiring her students and colleagues. A favorite philosophy, 'you cannot lead from behind,' marked her career. She was an outgoing person, loving life, her children, her parents, her family, friends, and would never back down from a challenge — in fact, she sought challenges. She loved traveling, good food, and meeting new friends. Dr. Landrum was a member of Magnolia Baptist Church."

According to thecount.com, Terbrusch, 53, of Ridgefield, CT, was a high-profile divorce and family law attorney.

In an interview Tuesday, Katie Cloneris, who was Terbrusch's assistant at Terbrusch Law Firm in Danburty, CT, where he was the sole practitioner, the news was very unexpected. "It's a very difficult time for his family," she said, adding that he leaves behind one child.

"He was very close with his family," Cloneris said. "He was also very well-known throughout the polo community," where he was on a polo team, she said.

Remembering her employer and friend, she said: "He always had a smile on his face. He was very energetic, he never sat down always going, taking care of something for somebody. He never said 'no.' He always tried to do his best, whoever was asking. That was something I looked up to him about."
She added that Terbrusch took her under his wing at the business. "He was really good to me and taught me a lot in the law office. I'm appreciative of the knowledge that he's given me."

According to a post on 12 WRDW.com, Landrum was a beloved special education teacher at Thomson High School in Thomson, GA. "She was beautiful. She was just a wonderful person and a wonderful mother. She has two children," Carol Landrum, Jennifer's mother, said in that article.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of the people who were aboard the plane," said Capt. Kevin Reed, commander Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. "We are grateful to the emergency responders who assisted in the search efforts."

According to New York State Police, the first man located Saturday was identified as Munidat "Raj" Persaud, 41, of Waterbury, CT.aid.

In an update at noon Sunday, the USCG said it was a surfer who called Southampton Police at 11:10 a.m. Saturday to say they'd seen a plane crash into the water about one mile south of Quogue; police notified watchstanders at Sector Long Island Sound.

Prior to the crash, three people boarded the twin-engine Piper PA-34 at the Danbury Municipal Airport in Connecticut, the USCG said.

According to the USCG, at 11:10 a.m. on Saturday, watchstanders at Sector Long Island Sound were notified by Southampton Police that a twin-engine Piper PA-34 had crashed into the water about one mile south of Quogue.

The watchstanders then dispatched a boat crew from Station Shinnecock aboard a 47-' motor lifeboat, the USCG said.

It's the second time in recent months that a small plane crash has led to loss of life and broken hearts in the Hamptons: In June, a crash off Amagansett took the lives of Ben and Bonnie Krupinski, their grandson William Maerov, and pilot Jon Dollard, leaving hearts broken.

Patch lead photo courtesy Beggs Funeral Home.
Patch photo of Richard P. Terbrusch courtesy Terbrusch Law Firm.