President's Perspective

Presidents PERSPECTIVE wisdom experience will missed entire industry~ THIS HAS BEEN month emotional highs lows nice things get AMA president present Hall Fame awards inductees things look forward Unfortunately sometimes means making posthumous presentation family inductee John Grigg served Executive Council years died August 1996 voted Hall Fame past year celebration banquet held Lockport NY presentation great see number people attended presented plaque Johns wife Joan Grigg amongst flood pictures memories Johns life model aviation great success kindled lot great memories travels John AMA president Some pictures somewhat incriminating see gang perhaps can explain gorilla maybe will show picture District III VP Bob Brown wearing wildest pair bell-bottoms have ever seen great evening though difficult ways accept Johns passing arrived home next day terrible news answering machine Frank Garcher Midwest Products died heart attack Saturday morning AMA aeromodeling lost great friend May 22 Few have idea contributions Frank made Any time heard program introducing kids aeromodeling Franks name too far away supported programs kids ways can count strong supporter AMA Frank point man almost cooperative program between aeromodeling industry AMA came time raise funds support various AMA programs Frank leading effort Frank big man industry both figuratively literally wisdom experience will missed entire industry nicknamed Big Stoop after character old Terry Pirates tribute dogged loyalty reliability moniker wore proudly funeral son-in-law said best Frank three loves life beyond family airplanes music people As Frank requested some Dixieland music played funeral final tribute much like him consummate party person Frank never saw piano banjo player wouldnt get up sing parties hosted Toledo show legendary always featured banjo player Dixieland jazz During calling hours someone said quite well anyone proposes moment silence Frank Garcher would have someone didnt know him Ironically right after hearing news answering machine opened mail found July Model Aviation Joyce Hagers column picture Frank along Ralph Warner presenting checks RCHTA support AMAs education programs Frank always supported effort get aeromodeling classrooms company Midwest Products companies industry have full-time education department picture Frank probably last official photograph taken him showed him well smiling up storm presenting results fund-raising effort support aeromodeling think Franks son-in-law got close quite right Frank loved people first followed airplanes music whichever order Frank biggest people person Ive ever known Im sure St Peter asked Frank what wanted would answer Balsa banjo player audience would define heaven Frank Garcher Well sure miss him Brown AMA president dbrown@dbproductscom September 1999 7