THE HEART OF A MODELER
By Rich Hanson, AMA President | richh@modelaircraft.org
ONE OF THE THINGS that brings me the most comfort is the number of friends I’ve made throughout the years, most of whom are individuals who share my love for model aviation.
I grew up with a group belonging to the Civil Air Patrol that built models in the back room of the local hobby shop and flew their model airplanes at a junior high school across the street. As a young man, I teamed up with my brother-in-law and competed in Control Line Stunt and Slow Combat, and as a family man, I sought out the championship and camaraderie found at the local model aircraft club. Competing in fun-flys and RC Pylon races extended my list of friends to modelers throughout the Southwest, and as I became more involved in AMA and the administration of the hobby, I gained friends across the US and around the world. Although I have many friends connected to my working and family life, the friendships that have endured and have the greatest meaning are those who share my passion for this great hobby.
A few days ago I received an email from Dave Ziems from northern Ohio, relaying the details of a recent celebration of life for the passing of Joe David. It caused me to reflect upon the special relationship that modelers share and demonstrated the true heart of a modeler. This is what he shared:
Most of Joe’s close friends knew that he had contracted the COVID-19 virus and passed away in 2020. During the pandemic, there were no funerals or memorials, and Joe’s family was unable to hold a celebration of his life. Joe’s children wanted to bring together friends and family to honor his memory, so they put together a graveside service and I was inspired to go pay my respects!
Joe told his kids not to spend a lot of money on a fancy funeral and casket. he said, “Just throw me in a little box and bury me beside my wife.”
Born July 3, 1928, Joe had a great send-off on the anniversary of his birth, July 3, 2021. I met his entire family and some of his best friends, including his two sons, two daughters, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many of his friends. They came from across the country to say goodbye, and each shared a special story.
I didn’t know Joe well, but I enjoyed flying and spotting with him at the Central Ohio Radio Kontrol Club in Centerburg, Ohio, and every year I saw him at the Toledo Show.
Joe developed and designed an RC airplane, which was produced and sold as a kit by J&J RC Manufacturing. Joe was a founding member and the first president of the Weak Signals RC Club near Toledo, Ohio, and played a large part in the planning and crewing of what became known as The Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo.
Joe took pride in his craftsmanship and demonstrated exceptional skill in building and flying his model airplanes. My generation learned from—and was mentored by—the older generation.
How many of you still have the first airplane you built and the box it came in? I still do. It was an airplane called the Sturdy Birdy by Hobbico. It took me nearly two weeks to complete. Because I had so much time and money invested, I didn’t want to try to fly it myself and crash it, so I held onto it until I found somebody to teach me how to fly!
When Joe was a boy, he had his own paper route and did miscellaneous jobs such as mowing lawns and shoveling driveways. He saved the money he earned and purchased his first airplane kit, a Tiger Shark, for $4.95. At age 10, he built it himself, and at 92 years old, Joe still had his first airplane and the box it came in! I’m sure that, much like my Sturdy Birdy, his Tiger Shark had a few hard landings and had to be repaired more than once. Nevertheless, it flew again, and it ultimately lasted a lifetime!
While reflecting on the similarity of our lives, I looked down beside the collage of pictures his family had brought to the gathering and realized what his children had done. Yep! They put Joe in the box. It was his Tiger Shark kit box, now placed beside his beloved wife!
Goodbye for now, Joe, but not forever. We will meet again when we all take that final flight!
