Searching, When Songbirds Ceased to Sing shares what evolved when experiencing a traumatic year-long search for a missing aircraft and five occupants. It was October 28, 1974, when brothers-in-law and twin Engine Beechcraft 414K disappeared. The aircraft, serving as an air hearse was on a return flight from Gallup, NM. On board were a father and his two teenage daughters involved in a fatal car/train accident being transported to their hometown, Sturgis, SD. for burial. When failing to arrive on schedule Rapid City Flight Service issued a Missing Aircraft Alert to all surrounding airports. The local CAP immediately began an air search, which shortly broadened to include all airports in a six-state area.

Intertwined throughout the story are shared memories from a secure past. Backtracking in time served as a invaluable coping tool; when faced with ever-lasting uncertainty, helplessness, apprehension and fear of the unknown.