District IX Report - 2003/04
Colorado / Kansas / Nebraska / North Dakota / South Dakota / Wyoming
Vice President
Russ Miller 980 N. 3rd St. Carrington, ND 58421 Phone: (701) 652-2321 Fax: (701) 652-2994 E-mail: [email protected]
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, 1698 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 57105-5573
- Jack L. Siebert, 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
News from North Dakota
James P. Heising, secretary of the F-M Skylarks Control Line Club, sent 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 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 a few of the responses I received.
"'What a guy, and one who enjoyed all facets 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, I would not 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 hobby 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."
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
