A Medina man, killed in a plane crash Friday with his son,  was remembered as “an amazing man” who  worked to help meet the needs of kids and families on the Eastside.

Bill Henningsgaard, a former vice president of Microsoft, and his son, Max. died with the plane he was flying crashed in East Haven, Conn. The two were visiting colleges on the East Coast when the plane crashed into two houses near an airport as it attempted to land.

“Bill Henningsgaard was an amazing man and an integral part of helping Youth Eastside Services grow to better meet the needs of youth and families in our community,” said Patti Skelton-McGougan, executive director of Youth Eastside Services.

Henningsgaard was a member of the agency’s board of trustees since 1998 served as president as well as on several committees, Skelton-McGougan said, adding that he led the YES capital campaign that raised $10.7 million for its new facility in Bellevue’s Crossroads Park.

“This is a tremendous loss for the community, but our hearts especially go out to his family.” Skelton-McGougan said.

Henningsgaard worked for 14 years at Microsoft in marketing and as vice president of sales for the  Western U.S., Australia and New Zealand. After leaving Microsoft, he became active in a number of activities and organizations to help the area’s youth.