AMA News District X - 2010/04
In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that I report our District X Vice President Jim Giffin passed away on Sunday, January 31. Jim loved his wife and family, and he served our country with pride. He was very proud to be your vice president, and the district was very important to him.
Service to the Hobby and Community
Jim belonged to clubs all over the district at one time or another and helped to build many, as well as hold officer positions in many more. His roles and accomplishments include:
- International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) president for three years
- IMAA assistant director
- AMA District X associate vice president (AVP) for Rich Hanson, beginning December 6, 2000
- District X Vice President from July 2008, when he took over the reins after Rich stepped down
Jim's eight years of service as an AVP earned him AMA's Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to him by Dave Mathewson, AMA's president, at the 2008 AMA Expo and Convention.
Personal Remembrances
Rich wrote: "Jim was a very close and dear personal friend. I admired and respected him for his no-nonsense business intellect and his straight-forward approach to solving problems and relating to people. We shared similar military backgrounds as Army aviators and an enduring love of all aspects of aviation. Jim truly had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back or the prop off his plane if you needed it."
Merriam Maida, AVP Rick Maida's wife, wrote: "I always felt special when I talked with Jim. He was open, honest, always approachable, and what a flirt. He made sure I knew I was his friend, not just the wife of a pilot. The world is a little sadder place without him."
Jim competed in the Masters class and always liked scale airplanes the most, especially the Cub. But his greatest love in the hobby was sport flying and hanging out with friends at the flying field. I spent a lot of time with Jim over the last seven or eight years, and we talked almost daily for most of it. He was more than good to me and I am proud to call him my friend.
Looking Ahead
Although Jim's loss is most important to me right now, I hope I can fill his shoes as your next District X vice president. If there is anything I can do for any of you or your club, please contact me anytime.
The new District X newsletter will continue as planned.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
