HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
HAZEL SIG-HESTER!
Jay Smith, Executive Editor | jays@modelaircraft.org
HAZEL SIG-HESTER WAS BORN the third child on 3rd Street in the third town that her parents had lived in, on the third day of the third month of 1922. In 1951, she and Glen “Poncho” Sigafoose opened Sig Manufacturing Company, selling balsa wood.
The company quickly expanded to become the business that we are familiar with today, selling all types of hobby merchandise. She was involved with
the company until its sale in 1999. When she wasn’t busy with model airplanes, she was riding motorcycles and flying full-scale aircraft, and she is likely best known for flying a full-scale, clipped-wing Cub that the company later released as a model. Hazel continued to be involved in full-scale aviation until she was 86 years old.
In 2016, Hazel attended The Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo in Toledo, Ohio, and was greeted by many friends and hobbyists. In 2019, she attended the Nats in Muncie, Indiana, where she received the Control Line and RC Scale Hall of Fame awards.
Having spent a few minutes with her at both events, it was clear that she enjoyed spending time with her RC family, and many people lined up to speak with her and reminisce about her long history in our hobby.
A heartfelt thank-you to Hazel Sig-Hester for her contributions to our hobby, and a happy birthday, on the third day of the third month of 2022!
