On Friday, Fort Walton Beach Mayor Dick Rynearson underwent surgery to place a metal plate on his broken sternum due to an accident.
- That surgery was successful, and as of Saturday morning, Mayor Rynearson has been released from the hospital and is up and walking.
His daughter, Heather Rynearson Peters, said that he “feels like a new man” following the surgery and really wanted a Coke as soon as he got out.
“Before the surgery, he would say that there wasn’t a way to possibly describe the pain he was in,” she said. “And now, he said he feels like a new man! There is still a long road to full recovery but we know the road is lined with prayers and support.”
As reported, Mayor and Mrs. Rynearson are at the Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fl. One of the concerns following his surgery is how they both will get back home to Fort Walton Beach.
- Step One Automotive Group has now sent a private plane from the Destin Executive Airport to go and pick them up and bring them home on Sunday.
According to Maureen Bierman, Marketing Director for Step One, the plane is a King Air 200 and seats 6 people. However, it will just be Dick and Janey on the 50 minute flight home, rather than the 7 hour drive.
- With the private flight home, Mayor Rynearson will be able to recline the seats and stretch out to be as comfortable as possible.
“We heard about the Mayor’s accident and immediately reached out to see what we could do to help,” said Bierman. “We are so glad that he took us up on the offer of the plane so he can get back home quickly and with the least amount of pain.”
“We can’t thank Step One Automotive Group enough,” said Peters. “Their generosity is overwhelming. Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of love, support and most of all – prayers!”
