The AMA Foundation is saddened to share that AMA Foundation Board Member Rusty Kennedy passed away on July 11, 2026. Former AMA Foundation Board Chair, District IV Associate Vice President, AMA Life Member, Museum Life Patron, AMA Foundation Torchbearer, and immense supporter of model aviation, Rusty's contributions to our organization and hobby as a whole were monumental and will not be forgotten.
We invite you to view Rusty's obituary here.
AMA Foundation Executive Director Steve Haston shared the following sentiment about Rusty and his impact:
"The model aviation community recently lost one of its most passionate advocates. Francis 'Rusty' J. Kennedy Jr. passed away on July 11, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to AMA, the AMA Foundation, and the hobby that we love.
"For me, Rusty was more than just an AMA leader. He was a friend. Rusty was serving as AMA Foundation Board Chair when he hired me. Now, you know relationships can take years to develop into friendships, if they ever do. Not with Rusty and I; we hit it off right away. Maybe it was because we were close in age, or we both grew up building and flying model aircraft. Or maybe it was because we both spent part of our careers in public service. It could just be because Rusty was a great person and was a friend to all of us. It was most likely all of those things.
"From the very beginning, Rusty and I shared a vision for the future of the AMA Foundation and the hobby of model aviation. We believed in the power of model aviation to inspire people, build communities, teach kids valuable STEM skills, and create lifelong friendships. We both believed in the mission of the AMA Foundation and the work being done to ensure that future generations will have the same opportunities that shaped our own lives.
"Rusty was a builder. He built airplanes, relationships, and opportunities. One of his most proud contributions was building the AMA Foundation Torchbearer Program. Rusty talked about this program and how it created a pathway for individuals who believed in the future of model aviation to help sustain and strengthen it for generations to come.
"Today, as I reflect on our friendship, I am grateful for the conversations, the guidance, the laughter, and so much more than I can express.
"Everyone at the AMA Foundation will forever be grateful for our friend Rusty. His impact can be seen in the people he mentored, the programs he championed, and the lives he touched throughout the model aviation community.
"The best way we can honor him is not simply remembering what he accomplished. It's continuing the work he cared so deeply about. Rusty helped light a torch for the future of model aviation. It is now our responsibility to carry it forward, and we will."
On July 26, Steve and AMA Foundation Deputy Director Rachelle Haughn had the honor of attending Rusty's services. Steve shared the following:
"Many of the pilots from Rusty's club were there to show their respect. On display were many items from Rusty's life and collections, including family photos and memorabilia and patches that he spent decades collecting.
"Rusty's services included an Air Force salute and the folding of the American flag, which was given to Amy, Rusty's wife. The eulogy included the following, touching on Rusty's five legacies:
- His love for model aviation. Rusty's first legacy was how much he supported and was involved in model aviation. He taught his daughters, friends, club members, and anyone that he could about the joy of flight.
- His love for his country and the Air Force. Rusty did all he could to serve his country throughout his lifetime.
- His love for his hobby shop. Another of Rusty's legacies was the successful hobby shop that he owned and ran for many years. This was yet another way that he showed up for and supported all things in our hobby.
- His love for his kids. Rusty's daughters spoke about the man he was, how he cared for them, and how he was always there to support them.
- His love for his wife of almost 50 years. Rusty's daughter told of how he almost made it to his 50-year wedding anniversary, which was only 3 months away from his date of passing. Amy, his wife, was by his side the entire 50 years.
I will miss Rusty. He did so much for his family, country, and hobby, and his contributions will never be forgotten."
