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The Saturday evening schedule is
repeated from year's past. The annual membership meeting and board
meeting were completed while many participants strolled among the
museum's many displays. The social hour provided the opportunity to
renew past acquaintances in an inspiring aviation setting.
The seventh annual induction ceremony
began with a welcome by David Duax, master of ceremonies. Duax
introduced EAA Chaplin, the Reverend William D. Barnhart who
provided the invocation. An elegant sit-down dinner was followed by
the program. David provided a background sketch of the Wisconsin
Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF), its mission and its goals.
Three representatives of Wisconsin
government agencies that support aviation and the Wisconsin Aviation
Hall of Fame provided comments. Bud Jensen, Chairman of the
Wisconsin Council on Aeronautics, praised the organization for its
efforts on writing Wisconsin's aviation history. Robert Kunkel,
Bureau of Aeronautics Director, congratulated the organization for
its recognition of those people that set the course for aviation not
just in Wisconsin but throughout the country and the world. Charles
H. Thompson, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation, encouraged the organization to continue its mission
and provided best wishes for a timely publication of its book.
Two long time members of WAHF were
recognized. Ben Selko, a retired FAA employee, active Civil Air
Patrol member, and WAHF director was recognized for his service to
Wisconsin aviation and WAHF. David Duax presented a plaque to Ben's
widow, Helen. Another longtime WAHF member and former director, A.
E. 'Skip' Becher was tragically killed in an aircraft accident. His
support of WAHF and its efforts at recording the state's history was
detailed by Duax. Archie C. Becher accepted a plaque recognizing his
father's efforts.
The Wisconsin Aviation Maintenance
Technician College Bowl was held earlier in the day at the new Fox
Valley Technical College aviation campus located on the Winnebago
County Airport. John Dorcey, WAHF member, served as the program's
producer for the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics. Dorcey explained
the program, its aims, and introduced members of the winning team
from Kenosha's Gateway Technical College.
George Hardie, 1991 WAHF inductee,
introduced Alfred W. Lawson to those assembled. Merle Hayden, long
time Lawson associate, accepted Lawson's plaque. Robert Sather, WAHF
Director, provided the story of Roy Shwery and presented Roy his
plaque. WAHF Director Keith Glasshof shared the Captain Dan
Brandenstein story and presented Dan his plaque. Past inductees
present to welcome the newest members included: Carl Guell (1990),
George Hardie (1991), William Lotzer (1991), Howard Morey (1987),
Paul Poberezny (1986), and Steve Wittman (1986).
The evening's key note address was
provided by Calvin Pitts. Pitts, a former NASA test pilot, currently
flies for a cargo airline. In 1991 Pitts commemorated the 50th
anniversary of Wiley Post's around the world flight by
duplicating it in a Beechcraft Bonanza.
More images of the evening's
festivities can be seen on the next page.
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EAA Chaplin Rev William Barnhart
(WAHF photo)
DOT Secretary Chuck Thompson
(WAHF photo)
Archie C. Becher
(WAHF photo)
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