As authorities continue investigating Wednesday's collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight near a Washington airport, friends of a couple who died in the deadly crash mourned their loss.

Bob and Lori Schrock were aboard American Airlines flight 5342.

The couple were farmers from Kiowa, Kansas, a tiny town 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Wichita along the Oklahoma border.

"There are truly just like, gifts from God. They didn't deserve any of this," said Grace Cantrell, a 20-year-old Kansas State University student who grew up with Bob and Lori's daughter.

"Her parents were basically like another set of parents to mine," said Cantrell. "They used to live down the street from where I was, we'd go over there all the time."

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Cantrell says the Schrocks relocated from Kansas to Maryland to be closer to their 21-year-old daughter, Ellie, who attends Villanova University.

"Just me thinking about all the things that her parents are now going to have to miss out on or she's not going to have her parents for moving forward," said Cantrell. "I'm just going to be there for her in any possible way I can."

Back in the Schrock's hometown, the hurt and loss is hitting the community hard.

"He's (Bob) been my friend since I was 11," said Michael Simpson, longtime friend and mentee of Bob Schrock. "He mentored me in weights and taught me how to lift and supported me through when I was competing all the way through my 20s and into my 30s."

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Simpson told Reuters it was the Schrocks who not only inspired him to pivot careers and become the head of Freedom Gate Boys Ranch, a program for troubled youth with an emphasis on sharing the love of Christ, but also secretly provided significant financial and emotional support over the years.

In a text he sent to Bob a couple of weeks ago, Simpson said, "Thank you doesn't seem to cover it, brother. I hope you and your wife know how much I appreciate you... I don't have many friends like you. I love and respect and appreciate both of you very much."

Simpson believes he'll see his friends again someday, telling Reuters both Bob and Lori were deeply rooted in faith and are now at peace in heaven.

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(Production: Eric Cox)