Written by CM/BN (10/2008); Transcribed by JS (05/2011); Updated by JS (02/2024)
De Hill made AMA Fellow
The AMA Fellowship Award was scheduled as the last item at the 20th annual VSC banquet. CD Lou Wolgast forgot and said, “Thank you all for coming, and we will see you next year.” “It’s not over!” yelled Charles Mackey, who headed for the podium through the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea.
After a short conversation with Lou, Charley took the microphone and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is about De Hill.”
Charley talked about the awards that De had made for the Palmer Meet and about the time he and his wife, Ruby, flew out to Hemet, California, for J.C. Yates’ induction in to the PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association) Hall of Fame. De made a plaque for J.C., which was presented there.
Charley also mentioned that De had been to all 20 VSCs, and he asked the crowd members to raise their hands if they had received a plaque from De. Many did so. Charley stated that De had built 47 plaques through the years and had donated or presented them.
Charley turned the microphone over to his wife, Phyllis, who read the following letter from AMA President Dave Mathewson.
“The Academy of Model Aeronautics Fellowship Award is AMA’s highest form of recognition. On behalf of our more than 150,000 members, I want to congratulate you on receiving this special honor and thank you for your contributions to model aviation.
“The AMA Fellowship is only awarded to those who have exhibited an above average commitment to our hobby. Receiving this award is by vote of the AMA Executive Council and you should know that in this case the vote was unanimous. Making this honor even more significant is the fact that since its inception in 1953, the AMA Fellowship has only been presented to 168 deserving individuals.
“Your willingness to help when and wherever is needed, and your dedication to graciously recognizing others for their own accomplishments played a large role in you receiving this award. Our members point with pride to their ‘Spirit of ‘46 Award’ received from you and, in many cases, count it as one of their most treasured honors. Simply put, your friendship has added to the enjoyment of model aviation for those that are fortunate enough to call you their friend. “I extend my personal thanks to you, as well, for all you have done for our hobby and congratulate you on receiving this well-deserved honor.”
- Charles Mackey and Bill Netzeband
This page is a text transcription of the original document, made automatically and may contain errors. .