District VII
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Hello District VII members! All I can say is wow! Can you believe how fast the seasons are passing by?
I can say that, based on the reports coming in from clubs about events and programs being held, it is top notch. Keep up the good work everyone.
As you know, I enjoy highlighting activities within the district, but I hope you will oblige me this month because I would like to tell a story about my early days of involvement in AMA.
Approximately 15 years ago (my gosh, how time flies), I was attending a large fun-fly at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. At this time, I was simply a member, much like yourself, having fun, flying a lot, and spending time with my friends at the event being held.
Just like we have today, there were controversial events going on within the modeling community (sorry, it has been too long, and I don’t remember exactly what it was) and I, like many of you, had strong opinions.
As my friends and I were lamenting about what we were watching, and perhaps laughing at ourselves, a gentleman with a camera in hand wearing a white shirt with an AMA logo walked by. What struck me was that he had a camera and not a radio transmitter in hand. Odd …
I looked closer and saw that on his shirt, under the logo, it said AMA District VII Vice President. That was all I needed to see. Here was my representative to the AMA Executive Council (EC), and I had something to say!
I walked up to him, and we introduced ourselves. I said, “You are my district representative, and I have problems with what AMA is doing.” (I cannot remember the issue at the time, but I am sure it was similar to the stresses we face today.)
I went through point by point everything that concerned me. What impressed me was that he listened and let me vent.
He thanked me for my comments, asked if he could write my contact details down, and then proceeded down the flightline. I thought he listened but did not hear. Little did I know at the time, but he did hear me.
Sometime later, I receive a telephone call. I answered the ring and the person on the other end said, “Hello Randy, this is Bill Oberdieck.” I said, “Who?”
He said, “Bill Oberdieck. I am the person you spoke with at AMA Headquarters.”
I thought, oh boy am I in trouble!
Bill went on to tell me how impressed he was that I went to him and expressed my concerns. Bill was impressed by my passion and that I was forthcoming.
I don’t remember if we agreed on the points or not, but it was then that he asked if I would come onboard and become one of his district’s associate vice presidents. He wanted a person with the fire and passion that he felt I demonstrated, and thus my journey began.
Fast-forward many years, when I was elected to be your District VII Vice President, Bill was among the first to call and congratulate me. I remember the call to this day.
Bill told me how proud he was that I continued to be passionate about the hobby. He remembered the day we first met and how he knew then that I would contribute to the hobby.
We lost William “Bill” Oberdieck on July 20, 2024. He was a great gentlemen and a mentor. I owe so much to Bill for his guidance and mentorship. He listened and heard what the members had to say and represented the membership, even when the tone was different from that of the EC. Among the most important things that he believed in was to enjoy the hobby and the friends that you meet.
I thank you, the membership, for indulging me in writing about my start on this journey. I will miss Bill, as will his family and the many others whom he touched.
Keep being passionate and sharing that passion. Who knows how it will be of influence?
Until next month, keep the passion going.
Randy Gibson
Vice President
amadistrictvii@modelaircraft.org
503 Mall Ct. # 289, Lansing MI
48912
(317) 698-4346
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Bruce Baier, Oshkosh WI; (920) 233-1127; buzzsr@gmail.com
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; (218) 834-5797; bgorman@frontiernet.net
Bob Johnson, Fond du Lac WI; (920) 922-6705; bobjh54935@yahoo.com
Mark Robotti, Lindstrom MN; (651) 257-6792; mgrobotti@frontier.com
Dell Shannon, Osceola IA (641) 342-4278; duell.t.shannon@gmail.com
Len Todd, Baldwin MI; (907) 903-3569; lentodd@att.net
Peter G. Van Heusden, Bloomfield Hills MI; (248) 515-1071; petervh@malibutech.com
Chris Sterner, Greenfield WI; (414) 349-0981; sternerc6854@gmail.com
Kent Woods, Ames IA; (641) 751-7126; woods229@msn.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
Michael J. Haller (RC), Fond du Lac WI; (920) 979-9452; mike.haller.60@gmail.com
Marc Warwashana (CL), Whitmore Lake MI; (734) 223-1243; whellieman@gmail.com
AMA Headquarters (FF), (765) 287-1256, ext. 252; competition@modelaircraft.org
FREQUENCY COORDINATORS
Al Schwartz, Roseville MN; (651) 633-2286; alberts@comcast.net
Pete Waters, Northville MI; (248) 924-0223; petewaters@charter.net
