Stories

The AMA Foundation has received a gift of $135,000 to assist with scholarship efforts.  The AMA and AMA Foundation would like to thank the family of Ronald Hesselbrock,Oxford, Ohio,  for this generous gift. Ronald, a Heritage and Legacy Society member of the AMA Foundation, requested these funds be allocated upon his passing. Ronald died on his birthday, Monday, July 22, 2019 at Westover Nursing Home in Hamilton, OH. Born July 22, 1948 in Cincinnati, he is the son of Loretta (nee Meyer) and Edward Hesselbrock. Ronnie had a passion for model aeronautics and built and flew model airplanes. Throughout his life, he enjoyed Ham Radio and competitive target shooting. He was active with the Butler County Sportsmen where he served as a Trustee, and he also helped with the 4-H Shooting Sports Club. Ronnie served in the Army National Guard of Ohio, and as a Reserve of the Army. He is survived by many cousins and was preceded in death by his parents. Ronald's contribution will  have a major impact on the lives of future students who participate in the model aviation hobby. Each year the AMA awards approximately $50,000 in scholarships to students pursing higher education. Ronald's gift will assist with these efforts for many years.

David R. Thomson passed away at Veranda Gardens Nursing Home on March 20, 2020. David Raymond Thomson was born March 24, 1926 to Norma Hucke Thomson and Procter Thomson. David was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (née Palm), his parents, his sister, Ruth Shapiro, and his brother, Procter Thomson, II. David is survived by his sons, Paul (Jennifer), of Cincinnati, and David (Barbara) of Winterville, NC. He enjoyed his grandchildren, Eric Thomson, of Boulder, CO, Karl Thomson, of Syracuse, NY, and Laura Thomson, also of Boulder. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. He grew up in Wyoming, Ohio, attending Walnut Hills High School and Purdue University. After graduating as a mechanical engineer, he worked for Procter & Gamble, Sverdrup & Parcel, and at Fernald, where he was awarded a George Westinghouse Signature Award for his work in containing uranium dust. David spent many days with family and friends building and flying what he called, “toy flying machines.” He sang with the P&G Men’s Chorus and was a regular participant in Toastmasters. Later in life he became a Master Mason. When his sons joined Boy Scouts, he did too. He enjoyed many memorable trips with the scouts, backpacking throughout the western US. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Academy of Model Aeronautics Foundation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302, (Modelaircraft.org/give) in honor of Dave’s passion for model aviation. Online condolences can be left at www.AMGFuneralHome.com.

The Casa Grande RC Flyers held their annual RC Air Show on Saturday March 14th, 2020. The crowd size was not the largest the club had seen, but that didn't mean the donations also decreased, in fact it was the opposite. During the event, more food was donated to the Casa Grande Food Bank than during the previous years. They also raised a large amount for Pets In Need Action League through the event. The event this year had demonstrations, seminars, races and more!

Learn more about the Casa Grande RC Flyers on modelaircraft.org.

Michael (Mike) Lee Mosbrooker, 81, of Oak Harbor, Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at home surrounded by his family after a brief battle with metastatic melanoma. Memorial service will be held at 10am on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, with Chaplain David G. Lura officiating. Mike was born in Valley City, North Dakota to Alvin and Elvira Mosbrooker on Friday, June 17, 1938. Mike’s family moved to Los Angeles when Mike was 5. Mike worked alongside his dad and grandfather as a carpenter, finishing his apprenticeship at age 19. He was also an auto enthusiast, working as a body and fender specialist and drag racing in his spare time. Mike earned a degree in applied mathematics from California Polytechnic State University where he also participated in Glee Club, ROTC, and the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. He later earned a master’s degree in nuclear physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. Mike served for 20 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a Senior Army Parachutist and Ranger and served with the 75th Artillery, 10th Special Forces, 1st Infantry Division, 46th Artillery, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 76th Artillery and the 3rd Infantry Division in addition to multiple staff positions. Mike earned multiple decorations including the Legion of Merit, six Bronze Star Medals for Valor and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring from the military, Mike held multiple positions as an engineer and program manager. He later built and managed apartment buildings with his good friend, Robert Rathe. Mike met and married Judith (Judie) Ruth Ginsberg while he was stationed in Bad Tölz, Germany with Special Forces. Mike and Judie had three children: Patti, Mike and Eric. Judie died in 1991 after a short battle with breast cancer. Mike married Helen Swanner in 1992 and they have resided together in Oak Harbor since 1994. Mike had many loves in his life in addition to his family: beagles, model airplanes, traveling, golfing, boating, sports, piloting airplanes and spending time in his workshop. Mike started flying model airplanes at age 5 with his mother’s help and flew his final flight on New Year’s Day 2020. Mike held many leadership positions with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and was awarded the AMA Fellowship Award in 2020 for his distinguished service. Mike and Helen traveled in their trailer (with beagles) to numerous model airplane events and also traveled (without beagles) to Europe, Asia, Australasia and South America. Mike’s greatest joy were his three grandchildren: Jesse (18), Caroline (16), and Zachary (11 months). Mike also had two stepchildren: Tammy and David; and six step-grandchildren. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Mike is survived by his wife, Helen; brother, Harold; numerous nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews; his son-in-law, Jon; and daughters-in-law, Lisa and Karyn. Mike lived a full life and he was admired, respected and loved by those he touched. In lieu of flowers, Mike requested memorials be made to the AMA Foundation at https://www.modelaircraft.org/donate or the Toddler Learning Center at https://www.tlcwhidbey.org/ways-you-can-help.

A Walk of Fame brick purchased in memory of Mike by his loving family

The National Model Aviation Museum is proud to announce that it was awarded a Rapid Grant in February 2020 from the Ball Brothers Foundation in the amount of $5,000. The Ball Brothers Foundation is a family foundation located in Muncie, Indiana that focuses on improving the quality of life through arts, culture, and humanities; education; the environment; health; human services; and public society benefit. NMAM will use the grant funds to begin a strategic planning process with Whitinger Strategic Services, also located in Muncie, Indiana. Embarking on a new decade, the museum staff is eager to develop an actionable and achievable three- to five-year strategic plan, building its capacity for sustainable growth, greater performance, and high-impact practices. We are sincerely grateful to the Ball Brothers Foundation for their generous gift, and we look forward to sharing the strategic plan upon its completion. Stay tuned!  

The Casa Grande RC Flyers, an award-winning Academy of Model Aviation (AMA) chartered club, will hold their 7th annual Air Show for charities on Saturday March 14, 2020, between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the club airfield located at 2725 S Isom Road, directly across from the public shooting range.  This year’s event, benefitting the Casa Grande Food Bank and the Pets in Need Action League, might be the club’s largest yet. The field gate will open at 8:00 AM allowing those wanting to set up for the event’s swap meet to display their goods before the official event start time of 9:00 AM 

On hand will be representatives from Pets in Need Action League who will serve coffee, hot chocolate, and pastries for donations, as well as, Casa Grande food vendor, Secret Ingredients,  who will provide morning and lunch items. Superstition Hobbies, a large Queen Creek hobby shop, will again be present displaying the latest in radio-controlled aircraft and radio-controlled car racing products.  Their Team Manager, Alan Moulton, will hold a special, free Spektrum Transmitter seminar assisting hobbyists to take advantage of all the unique features of their Spektrum transmitters.  The seminar will start at approximately 11:00 AM.

Casa Grande RC Flyers’ lead instructor, Maurie Sumption, will be available offering free radio-controlled flying lessons using his Apprentice model aircraft under his expert guidance and dual control.  The lessons will be offered throughout the entire event. Rick Chitty, a professional pilot representing Hitec/Multiplex, will again fly his spectacular “flying lawnmower” and other interesting aircraft.  Representatives from Superstition Hobbies and members of the Casa Grande RC Flyers will also fly many different and unique aircraft including jets, gliders, drones, biplanes and others throughout the morning.  Club members will be on hand to answer questions about the hobby.  Of special interest that morning will be a “Combat” dog fight scheduled to start at 10:00 AM and a radio-controlled car race demonstration offered by club members Jim Hernandez and Rick Downing, using the club’s expanded radio-controlled race track directly in front of the bleachers.  There will also be a raffle for a new airplane and other many items with the drawing held at noon.

Although this is a free event, the club asked people attending to support the Casa Grande Food bank with donations of non-perishable food items or cash.  There is never a charge to enter or park at the club’s events.  Pilots who are not CG RC Flyers members are asked for a small guest fee to fly at this event or to set up on the club’s swap meet tables. If flying, one must bring and show their AMA or MAAC membership card to the club’s safety officer.  Direction to the field and club information can be found on the club web site: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com.

Despite a cold start, Saturdays Fly-In benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Casa Grande Valley turned into a wonderful morning.

Visitors to the club’s airfield 2725 S Isom Road arrived later than usual because of the morning wind and chill, but the day ended successfully for both the Boys & Girls Club and the Pets In Need Action League, who were on hand providing hot coffee and pastries to the attendees. 

Both non-profits raise money from club members and visitors who came to watch the flying, try a free model flying lesson and view items at the club’s swap meets. According to club President, Alan Friedman, “the biggest event of the season will be the annual Air Show which will take place on Saturday March 14th this year”.  He also stated that, “because of the cold mornings, next will run from 9 AM until 1 PM instead of 8 AM to Noon as in the past.”  At the club’s recent meeting, their board of directors was also increased from five members to seven.

The Casa Grande RC Flyers is an Academy Of Model Aeronautics award winning club and an Arizona non-profit corporation devoted promoting interest in model aviation and raising money for area charities.  The club’s efforts also benefit the Valley Humane Society, Hospice Charitable Fund of Central Arizona and the Casa Grande Food Bank who will be the recipient of their efforts at the March 14th air show. 

All those charities, now to include the Boys & Girls Club, have an annual event for their benefit at the club airfield. A list of the clubs’ activities, charitable and educational work and field and membership information can be found on the club’s website. 

The Golden Hawks Radio Control Club will host their Winter RC Air Fest. The event will begin at 9am on February 8 at the club's airfield at the DeLand Municipal Airport. The club will offer food and refreshments for those in attendance. The event will also include flying demonstrations as well as a swap meet with large model airplanes. The club will also be celebrating all of the money that they were able to raise to provide toys for their local Toys for Tots program. The event is $5 per car.

In memory of fellow AMA member, Andy Kane, the Southwest Area Park R/C Model Airplane Club made a $100 donation to the AMA Foundation. Andy was a true ambassador of the hobby, not only for his home club (DCRC), but also for numerous local and regional clubs. He attended the majority of the club's annual major events over the past 25 years helping to make them the successes they were. His leadership and promotion of radio-controlled modeling will surely be missed.

Thomas J. Mitchell, a resident of Whitmore Lake, MI, formerly of Dexter, MI, passed away on November 29, 2019 at the age of 78. Tom was the father of Karen (Stephen) Campbell of Pinckney and Kristen Mitchell of Dexter, and loving grandfather to Jack, Sarah, Katie, and Ellie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Mitchell, parents, Franklin and Mamie (Chatman) Mitchell, brother, Darell Mitchell, and son-in-law, Paul Ogg.

Tom was born in Troy, Ohio on August 12, 1941. He married Marilyn Kay Maleski, his high school sweetheart, in Ypsilanti in 1963. Following graduation from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in industrial engineering, Tom started a career with General Motors that spanned nearly 36 years. Tom and Marilyn began raising their family in Ypsilanti and in 1989 moved to Dexter to a home he designed and built.

Tom was an avid radio control aircraft enthusiast and an active member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics; he was a member of the Milan Flyers and Scio Flyers and a founder of the Wolverine Classic Radio Control Competition. For a number of years, he was a licensed private pilot and enjoyed making frequent trips to Frankenmuth, Mackinac Island, and Blissfield. Tom could often be found in his garage renovating classic cars. In this and in all things, he was known for his meticulous attention to detail.

Tom always carried a book with him, particularly during summer vacations in northern Michigan. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and helping them build things in the basement shop. His home was never complete without a pair of dachshunds.

A Memorial Service is scheduled on Saturday, January 11th, 2020 at the Ypsilanti Friends Church, 7890 Tuttle Hill Road, Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:30 am, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Academy of Model Aeronautics Foundation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302, (modelaircraft.org/give) in honor of Tom’s passion for model aviation.