Written by AMA Staff (06/2002); Formatted by JS (07/2008), Reformatted by JS (01/2010)
Clay Ramskill, a prolific writer and member of the modeling community, died on February 15, 2002. The following comes from Susan Ramskill and Seven Towers RC Club (STRCC) News, Clay Ramskill’s club newsletter:
“I am saddened to inform you that Clay Ramskill passed away early this morning following a courageous 2-year battle with laryngeal cancer. He died peacefully at home. Clay grew up in and around Burlingame, Kansas, and he remained very fond of the area and his friends there. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in aerospace engineering, and he was commissioned a naval officer through the University’s ROTC program. During his service in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1984, Clay flew combat missions over Vietnam in the F-8 Crusader, and he later transitioned to the RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance aircraft, which he flew during deployments to the Mediterranean. He was known as a “good stick” and he retired as a lieutenant commander.”
Clay was a strong supporter of AMA and all of the things that our organization stands for. Clay served as an active STRCC officer many times. He volunteered his time as the editor and publisher of the club’s monthly newsletter for many years even though it required a tremendous commitment at home.
With each endeavor that he pursued, the results were always first class all the way. Everything he did was done with a certain style unique only to Clay. Clay was a creative designer, experienced builder, and fantastic flyer. He was always there to give advice, educate those who asked, and always took the time to lend a hand for anyone in need. As with everything he did, Clay did it with his usual style that made everything look easy.
He was an internationally published author with both design and theory articles to his credit. He also created and maintained a Web page for Radio Control-related information that was full of cartoons and technical articles he wrote on a variety of subjects.
Clay also posted copies of the STRCC newsletters that he had written so they could be shared with others.
A letter to Clay from Jim Cook, Minnesota, written in December 2001:
“It was with sadness that I read your note that you were retiring as editor of the STRCC News. I trade newsletters with about 50 editors around the country (and the world) and I always look forward to receiving yours. You not only put together a great newsletter, but you are also able to take flying and building concepts and put them into words that everyone can understand. “I have probably reprinted 20 or so of your how-to articles since we have been trading. Only a newsletter editor can appreciate the true effort that is necessary to put together a good, informative newsletter month after month.
“Your efforts have always been several steps beyond that of the average editor. Your enthusiasm for the hobby, your obvious engineering knowledge, coupled with your ability to put it all down on paper have produced a newsletter that has few, if any, [equals].”
For those of us who were lucky enough to know him, his presence will be deeply missed.
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