I’ve mentioned before, some
editorials are easier to write than
others. This one will be difficult. It
involves the loss of a longtime friend and
modeling associate who was not a competitor
or flier but who made competition and sport
flying much more enjoyable by way of service
to the modeling community.
You may know someone, or many
“someones,” like this—someone whose only
involvement in a particular hobby, sport, or
pastime is strictly service oriented. Have you
ever stopped to give a thought to those who
give of their time and talents to ensure that
you have a good time participating? Ever
wonder what they get out of it or wondered
why they keep serving without much
recognition or fanfare?
I must confess that until now I hadn’t
given much thought to those service-oriented
individuals. The passing of one such person
has brought the entire subject into sudden and
sharp focus for me.
Mary Gebhart was a fixture at most of the
CL functions I have attended in the past 30
years or so. To my knowledge she never
actually picked up a handle and flew a model
herself at any of those gatherings. She
attended with her husband Bob Hazle and
generally pitched in immediately to perform
any one of a number of seemingly thankless
jobs to make sure the affair in question ran
smoothly.
Her résumé of skills and services included
the very high-profile job of CL Aerobatics
judging, and she did this skillfully and fairly
on many occasions at both the local and
national level. I had the opportunity to judge
with Mary several times and found her to be
among the most professional and focused
judges with whom I have ever worked.
Judging for Mary was a solemn thing. I
remember when she first started judging she
would ask pointed and technical questions of
those of us who had been performing this
task for many years. Sometimes the
questions were so insightful that we would
not know the answers!
She had the ability to abstract and
analyze minute details and process
information at an amazing rate. You had to
be on your toes to work with Mary; there
was no room for tomfoolery when you were
paired with her in a judging team.
Mary’s service extended to the low-profile
and thankless jobs as well. She would gladly
run scores from the judges’ stations to the
tabulating area or volunteer to be a tabulator
when needed. Picking up trash after the affair
was over and helping to break down the site
was never beneath her.
Mary was a friend to aeromodeling in
every sense of the word, and her willingness
to participate and give of herself will forever
place her in my personal modeling Hall of
Fame. I’m sure all who knew her feel the
same way.
A few years back Mary received the
coveted and prestigious Bob Gialdini
Sportsmanship Award for her tireless and
Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt
A
unselfish work at the annual Vintage Stunt
Championships. She deserved it.
Heartfelt condolences go out to Mary’s
husband and our friend Bob Hazle for his loss.
We share the grief with him.
What message and/or lesson am I taking
away from this loss? From this point forward
I intend to be more cognizant of the many
who work all day at a contest or fun-fly to
ensure my enjoyment. I will also make it a
point to volunteer more often to do those
thankless jobs.
One tangible thing we can all do for such
people is to remember to give them personal
thanks rather than wait for the group
applause for the “helpers” that the CD or
event director usually calls for at the end of
an event. It feels much better to receive
individual and personal recognition.
Another thing that can be done at fun-flys
and contests is to pass the hat for modest
contributions. The total received can be
divided among the helpers so they can
slightly offset the cost of travel or perhaps
purchase a good dinner!
CDs and event directors might consider
giving the helpers simple certificates of
appreciation. At bigger meets a small plaque
might be appropriate.
Finally, we can step in and volunteer to do
those tasks from time to time so they can have
a breather to enjoy watching or participating
themselves. Without such people our current
system would simply not work. Let’s make
sure they know that we know it!
I can be reached for comment or consult at
(610) 614-1747. For those who are more
comfortable in cyberspace, my E-mail address
is [email protected]. And for those who rely
on others to deliver your correspondence, my
address is Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083. Be
sure to thank your postman for his service.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/04
Page Numbers: 6
