Written by AMA Staff (02/1988); Transcribed by JS (06/2008), Reformatted by JS (01/2010)
Dale Root, who started his aeromodeling life in Chicago, then moved to California in 1941, was a serious designer, modeler, competitor, retail hobby shop owner, and all-around good guy. Dale left us in 1986. He left behind him hundreds of memories in the minds of the thousands of people he served and helped during his career. As owner of Root’s Hobby Hut in Oakland, California, he was completely involved in the sport.
With a background of hundreds of contests, ranging from 40 years of Nats events to local and regional competitions, Dale was popular and a winner. At the Nats, you could often find Dale’s name in the top 10%, in later years flying his own designs in the Radio Control events. His Little Freak 27, as well as his Ascender and Low Ender were successful and popular. Many of his plans were published in magazines, and three of his designs were kitted and sold widely on the west coast.
He was a pioneer with pneumatic retracts, spoilers, smoke and exceptional Radio Control aircraft maneuvers. He was the first person to spin a Radio Control model. He performed outside loops using trimmable elevators and a Babcock three-channel radio – a remarkable feat in those days. We believe most people will remember Dale for his outstanding contributions to clubs and individual fliers of the San Francisco region. He was a founder of the East Bay Radio Controllers club, presently among the largest clubs in the USA. He shared his knowledge and experience with anyone who needed help. Today there are more than 3,000 AMA members in 26 chartered clubs in the bay area. This growth is in large measure due to the efforts of Dale Root. Dale provided more than 40 years of leadership to his fellow modelers. As a club officer, as a designer, as an example of all that was helpful and constructive in the sport, Dale Root was one of the best.
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