Perhaps in some cases, but this is true even of some Christians.
Maybe so, in his case, but this is not necessarily how all atheists feel, perhaps not even the great majority. All we can do is go on a case by case basis. I know from my own close call that the prospect of death is not frightening. My personal experience taught me that when I am again very, very ill, and on my death bed, I will see death as a welcome release. I was on death's door (in case you missed my earlier post), hospitalized for a week and then two weeks recovering at home when it occurred to me that in that whole time I hadn't thought of God once. I am not saying all atheists are like me, probably many are not, but who knows? My point is that sweeping generalizations often prove well off the mark.