District IX Report - 2003/04

April 2003 169
NEWS FROM North Dakota: James P.
Heising, secretary of the F-M Skylarks
Control Line Club sent in information
about a contest held last July.
“Our big contest was on July 27 and
28. It was the 47th annual contest, a
memorial for Seymour Olson and Jason
Kegel. Seymour was a charter member and
Jason was a young but very active
member.
“This year’s contest was
a great success. The weather
cooperated, except for a
slight shower one morning
but it quickly cleared away.
Besides local members,
our contestants came from
Canada, Minneapolis,
Chicago, Kansas, and
California.
“Our events were
Special Slow Rat, 1/2A
Combat, Classic Stunt, four
classes of Carrier, Precision
Acrobatics, Beginners Stunt,
a Balloon Bust, and for our
Canadian friends, MAAC
.35 Sport Race.
“There were concessions
both days, with a potluck
supper Saturday evening,
compliments of the local
club. We have a hardworking
membership, with
great spouses and friends to help.
“We held a raffle for a club airplane,
ready-to-fly, built by one of our members.
There were many drawings for prizes from
suppliers like Futaba, Dremel, Brodak,
Paul’s Model Supply, and Bondhus.
Everyone left with something in addition
to any trophy or trophies they may have
won.
“I believe we have one of the most
outstanding Control Line fields in the
region. There are two asphalt circles with
grass in the middle, and one grass circle
for Combat. The area is surrounded by
nice large shade trees.
“There are plenty of picnic tables for
our use along with an area for primitive
camping. Our relationship with the Park
Board is tops, and they do a good job
keeping the grass mowed and the circles in
good condition.
“During the winter a couple of
members designed an airplane and made
up kits to sell to the membership to build
for our spring Funtest where there will be
events just for that airplane.
“Our club may be somewhat small
compared with other clubs, but we are
quite active. We will try to have pictures in
the future.”
News from Kansas: Mark T. Smith,
Associate Vice President and president of
the Shawnee Mission Radio Control Club,
sent in the following about the passing of a
fellow club member.
“My close friend, a longtime active
member of the Shawnee Mission Radio
Control Club here in the Kansas City area,
and modeling bud for almost 25 years, who
was very active in District IX events along
with many national events, Gene Marshall,
passed away on November 14, 2002. He
had been battling a heart condition,
pneumonia, and leukemia.
“My memories of Gene are filled with
joy and laughter. According to Gene’s
mother, he began playing with model
airplanes when he was only five years old.
Gene’s mother went on to inform me that
he retired from the US Army so that he
could spend more time modeling.
“Gene supported our hobby in
numerous ways including instructing
students, being a Contest Director for
float-flies, and actively participating in
most club events and several national
events.
“When I asked our club webmaster to
release the news about Gene’s passing, I
told the modeling community that I had the
honor of giving Gene’s eulogy and asked
for input from his friends. These are but at
few of the responses I received.
‘What a guy, and one who enjoyed all
fascists of the hobby. I’m happy that I was
able to fly with him, even for such a short
while. For a person who would nick
fingers in a prop or lose a plane, he’d
always come back the next day with the
same joy for the hobby. I’ll miss him.’
“A second modeler wrote:
‘So sorry to hear about Gene. I
forwarded the message to our local club,
the Jayhawk Model Masters. I didn’t know
Gene real well but what I remember most
was his willingness to help out others and
explain stuff.
‘When you think about it, there aren’t
a whole lot of people like Gene left in the
hobby these days. The Jayhawk Model
Masters are blessed with having a couple
of older guys like him but soon, they too
will be gone.
‘It was an older guy like Gene who
taught me how to fly in St. Louis about 18
years ago. Had it not been for this
gentleman, wouldn’t be flying today.
‘I really love this hobby and all the
friendships I have made over the years. I
hope that I live long enough to be “the old
guy” someday.
‘I think being “the old
guy” who is always willing
to help someone else learn
from our own experiences
(like Gene) is something we
as modelers should all be
striving for.
‘I think I can speak for
all of the Jayhawk Model
Masters when I express my
deepest sympathy for his
family and friends. The
world has lost a good friend
and modeler. Heaven has
gained a great one.’
“Truly, no man had
more love and gave so much
to this great hobby of ours.
Hopefully Gene is now
flying model airplanes with
no wind and no trees in
sight! He will be missed by
many.”
Associate Vice Presidents
Max Hansen, 1909 Wisconsin SW, Huron SD
57350
Nathan Lancaster, 3597 S. Kendall Street, Denver
CO 80235
Fred Hildebrand, 4015 Somerset Circle, Casper
WY 82609-3161
Troy Lapp, 1619 Wichita Dr., Bismarck ND 58504
Travis McGinnis, 8027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada CO
80005
Don Moden, 410 Hart St., Salina KS 67401
Jim Ricketts, 4921 Fernwood Drive, Sioux Falls
SD 57103-5573
Jack L. Sibert, 3611 Kimberly Circle, Lincoln NE
68506-4524
Mark T. Smith, 14632 W. 50th Street, Shawnee
KS 66216
Mike Weidner, 6535 Foxdale Circle, Colorado
Springs CO 80919-1788
Frequency Coordinator
Steve Mangles, c/o Radio Service Center, 918 S.
Sheridan, Denver CO 80226
Colorado / Kansas /
Nebraska / North Dakota /
South Dakota / Wyoming
Russ Miller
Vice President
980 N. 3rd St.
Carrington ND 58421
Phone: (701) 652-2321
Fax: (701) 652-2994
E:mail:
[email protected]
District IX Report
Gene Marshall with his new Dewyville Special. Gene was born June 14,
1932, and died November 14, 2002.
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