ATLANTA (AP) – When Dr. George Brumley returned from an expedition to the top of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro two years ago, he wanted to share Africa’s wonders with his family.

On Saturday, the doctor and philanthropist from Atlanta was killed along with his wife, son, daughters and grandchildren during the return trip when their plane crashed into Mount Kenya.

“He wanted them to see the beauty of the place, the wildlife, the incredible sense of both wildness and peacefulness,” said a longtime friend, Dr. William McClatchey, who organized Brumley’s first African climbing trip.

Twelve members of the Brumley family, spanning three generations, died in the crash, along with two South African pilots. Helicopters were unable to recover the bodies Monday because of bad weather around Mount Kenya.

Survivors include Brumley’s adult twin daughters, their children and five young orphaned grandchildren – two in Atlanta and three still trying to get home from Johannesburg, South Africa, where they were staying with a governess, McClatchey said Monday.

Just as Brumley shared his wealth with several Atlanta charities, he had a desire to share his deepest experiences with his family, McClatchey said.

“He was a person who always was encouraging and empowering to other people,” said McClatchey, who knew Brumley for 30 years. “Every project he and his wife gave to, he was involved with.”

Brumley, 68, and his wife, Jean, 67, gave money and time to charities that supported inner-city schools, the arts and the poor, said Bill Garrett, chief operating officer of the United Way of Metro Atlanta.

“George was one of the kindest, gentlest and most thoughtful individuals I ever met,” said Thomas Lawley, dean of the Emory University School of Medicine, where the elder Brumley was chairman of the department of pediatrics for 14 years. “He had a generous spirit, and a marvelous sense of humor, and despite all of his gifts he did not have any ego at all.”

Brumley founded the Whitefoord Community Program, which helped an Atlanta neighborhood address health issues and ensure children’s success at school. He also was chairman of Project GRAD in Atlanta, a nonprofit group that seeks to improve performance in the city’s public schools.

Jean Brumley, a board member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, was helping to raise $240 million for a new concert hall. She was a roommate of Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., during her high school and college years at Duke University.

“I was terribly shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the plane crash involving the Brumley family. Our families have been intertwined for many years,” Dole said. “I will miss them immensely. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families during this trying time.”

AP-ES-07-21-03 1734EDT