District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
This column is dedicated to remembering and honoring two well-known district members, Tom Chabot and Bob Brodeur, who passed away in March 2024. The following report about Tom came from Associate Vice President (AVP) Ray LaBonte and the report on Bob was from AVP John Yassemesis.
Tom Chabot: For my RC community of friends, I’m sharing that my longtime friend, Tom Chabot, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on March 16, 2024.
He was my right-hand man and crew chief. Throughout the years of competing at Top Gun, he kept my airplanes flight-ready. My successes can be attributed to Tom, who assisted and/or built airplanes for my use in Pro-Am classes.
Tom’s best memory of Top Gun was in 2019 when the BAe Hawk that Tom built for me won the coveted High Static Award. Top Gun champions Peter Goldsmith and David Wigley complimented Tom by saying that he had gone above and beyond with building details. It did not get any better than that from two of his idols. My greatest memories were our drives to Florida’s Top Gun events and the many days spent with him.
Tom and his wife, Carissa Parent, have been the backbone of Maine’s International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Challenge for more than 25 years. He was at my side for every Maine Jet Rally and Scale Shootout. At the Skystreakers Club, Tom’s willingness to help anyone was legendary. His passion for aeromodeling was only exceeded by the love of his life, Carissa. Tom will be greatly missed by me and many others. I am thankful to have Carissa in our lives to share fond memories and keep Tom’s legacy alive!
Bob Brodeur was the owner of R.C. Buyers Warehouse in Nashua NH. For 26 years, this was the place to go to buy RC products and get expert advice. Bob was president and founder of the Southern New Hampshire RC Club.
Bob Brodeur: Bob grew up in Hudson, New Hampshire. After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Army at the Nike Missile Philadelphia Defense Base. He spent more than 25 years in the grocery business as a store manager and buyer for an entire chain. In the 1970s, he was also the co-owner of Dembros Hobbies and started Granite State Hobbies in the 1980s.
In 1991, he retired from the grocery business to pursue his lifelong dream of opening his own hobby store, known as R.C. Buyers Warehouse. It began small but quickly grew to be one of the largest hobby suppliers in New England. The shop provided a great social connection, where others who were interested in the hobby could learn from skilled hobbyists. Bob mentored and trained many RC pilots. He worked side-by-side with his daughter, Sandra, until his retirement in 2017.
The district’s aeromodeling community lost two passionate modelers who, each in their own ways, contributed and shared their skills and knowledge of building and flying. Allowing others to better enjoy the hobby is the legacy they leave behind.
We are honored to have known them. Their names were added to “The Final Flight List” for prayer during the April 27, 2024, Executive Council meeting. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families and friends in this time of sorrow.
