family

The AMA Foundation has received a second major gift, in the amount of $140,000, from Legacy Society Member Ronald Hesselbrock. The AMA and AMA Foundation would again like to thank the family of Ronald Hesselbrock for this generous gift. As stated in his will, these donations will be applied toward AMA's general scholarship fund, the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship fund. This gift will continue to leave a major impact on the lives of future students who continue to be involved in the model aviation community. Read more about Mr. Hesselbrock and his gifts HERE.

The AMA Foundation has received a bequest of more than $171,000 to support the National Model Aviation Museum.  The AMA and AMA Foundation would like to thank the family of Herbert Bone for his generous estate gift. Herbert is a Heritage and Legacy Society member of the AMA Foundation. Herbert had a lifelong passion for model aviation, trains, and Disney, specifically Mickey Mouse. He was a United States Army Veteran and a loving husband, father, and family member. Herbert was loved by his family, friends, and community, was an active member of the Boeing Hawks RC Club, and was a long time member of the Marymoor MARCs (1970's-2020). He was also a docent at the Seattle Museum of Flight, with over 3,000 volunteer hours. Before passing, Herbert wrote a reflections project that looked back on his life: My Story, P&T&MM. Herbert's contribution will have a lasting impact on the National Model Aviation Museum, allowing it to continue as a world-class experience. We are honored to carry Herbert's legacy forward.

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.

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!  

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.

Thank you to the family of Warren Kurth for donating to the AMA Foundation in honor of Warren. Warren Kurth was born on April 5, 1933 in Bloomington, Illinois. His modeling career began with a sheet-balsa model kit when he was six years old. He was an assistant instructor at a YMCA model building class during junior high school. Warren lectured on model building, flew Control Line demonstrations, and taught a model building class at the community center for disadvantaged boys when he was in high school. Warren designed several models in his career, including the Miniball, Jetstream, Hedgehopper, Peetriot, and the infamous Peanut. The Miniball, first published in the October 1970 issue of Model AIrplane News, had seven National AMA records in 1/2 A Proto Speed in Open, Junior, and Senior classes between 1968 and 1972. Warren's Jetstream also won many trophies in 1956, 1960, and 1961. The Jetstream set three national AMA records in 1959 and the early 1960's. Several of Warren's kits and complete airplanes were donated to the National Model Aviation Museum.

The Catalina RC Modelers welcomed their county's Big Brothers Big Sisters program to their flying site back in June. The matches were able to fly model planes, eat some lunch, and learn more about model aeronautics during their day at the flying site. Chief Executive Officer of their program, Marie Logan, said "Our Little Brothers and Sisters, like all children, have tremendous potential. With the help of our match support professionals and volunteer Bigs, our Littles get better grades, are less likely to skip school; less likely to become in violent confrontations; and have better relationships with their peers and their family. Through the friendship and guidance of their Big, these children can achieve their full potential."