Volunteers:

Judy Ahrend    

I am a resident of Sandpoint and currently work at the Bizarre Bazaar in Ponderay.  I lived in San Diego and Cocalalla before moving to town.  I have  four children, two boys and two girls, they have given me eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

While living in San Diego I became involved in making “Artists Bears”( jointed mohair teddy bears) and in 1994 won the Bear of the Year.  I also donated many bears to charity, one of which brought $2,500.00 after the Kobe earthquake in Japan. 

For me the most memorable historic event is the moon landing, “Because we did it” and words I live by are “Seize the day”.

I was a nurse in the seventies and was privileged to see Dr. Forrest Bird’s respirators  used frequently and save many lives.  Finding out about the museum and Dr. Bird was like connecting the dots.  I love volunteering at the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center, the Drs. Bird are my heroes.

Blake Alfson

1. Are you a pilot?            No

2. Have you ever served in the military?     No

3. During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments (ie: career and family)? I'm on the Student Board of Directors for the National Gallery for America's Young Inventors, I have a 4.0 GPA, and I won two Gold Medals and made it to the finals at the World Championships for Performing Arts

4. What are some of your hobbies? I enjoy reading and doing sudoko. I also ocasionally play video games, mainly puzzle or strategy games.                     Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations? No

5. Do you have a favorite quote, motto or advice that you live by? No   

6. As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why?  9/11 because that is the only major historical event that I have lived through.  

7. What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center?  The knowledge contained in the museum, coupled with the amazing people who already working here. 

8. Is there any additional information you would like us to know about yourself? Not really
 

Charles Ballo

I moved to the Sandpoint area after retiring from accounting in Florida.  I am a recreational pilot with a Cessna 175 and stay involved in the aviation world by belonging to the Quiet Birdmen, Experimental  Aircraft  Association and as treasurer for the Friends of the Sandpoint Airport.  I served my country in the U.S. Army Security Agency, finance department.

I believe that we should all do good to family and friends.

Volunteering at the Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center affords me the opportunity to help the youth of today fulfill their dreams.

Pamela Riddle Bird, Ph.D
Founder and CEO
Innovative Product Technologies, Inc.

Dr. Pamela Bird is an internationally recognized commercialization expert.  She is the Founder and CEO of Innovative Product Technologies, Inc. (IPT, Inc.).  IPT, Inc. is a product and technology based market commercialization corporation located in Gainesville, FL with a branch office in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Board of Advisors to this company include:  Mr. Lloyd Bell, physicist and former advisor to J. Louis Reynolds (Reynolds Aluminum) and Kenneth Parker (Parker Pens); Dr. Robert Cade, inventor of Gatorade® with worldwide sales of $1.25 billion annually; Mr. Harris Rosen, successful hotelier and entrepreneur; Mr. Ed Shadd, a member of the development team that created the UPC bar coding system; Mr. John Weber, founder and former CEO of Monchik-Weber Corporation—sold to McGraw-Hill in 1984; Mr. Jim Fergason, inventor of the liquid crystal display (LCD); Dr. Robert Rines, inventor of sonar, Ms. JoAnne Hayes-Rines, Founder and former Publisher of the Inventors Digest Magazine® and Dr. Forrest Bird, inventor of the medical respirator/ventilator.

Dr. Bird is a “key player” in the technology-transfer process.  She is a liaison between inventor organizations, venture capital organizations, entrepreneurial networks and research park facilities.  In fact, Dr. Bird was interviewed and has served as a consultant to the ABC television network program 20/20 as a national new product development and commercialization expert.  She works diligently with her clients (inventors) to bring new products to the end consumer with “hands on” experience by working with national buyers in retailing, pricing, promoting, packaging, and distributing products.  She also works with manufacturers regarding production of new products and with investors to capitalize new business ventures.

Dr. Bird is the author of over 70 publications and has been quoted and featured in numerous newspapers throughout the country including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Barron’s – The Dow Jones, Business and Financial Weekly, Forbes Magazine and the Miami Herald.  She has appeared as a guest on numerous television shows including the GOLDEN LIFESTYLES TV Show.  Dr. Bird was a “Product Evaluator” for ABC Television’s new series titled, “American Inventor.”  Dr. Bird is the author of Inventing for Dummies® published by Wiley Publishing Company, owner of the Dummies ® series.
At the request of the U.S. Consulate, Dr. Bird served as the “keynote” via satellite conference with China officials regarding new product commercialization and evaluation in the United States.

Dr. Bird is the Founder of the Inventors Educational Foundation.  This is a non-profit public charity to assist in the educational as well as commercialization needs of innovators and entrepreneurs from all ages and walks of life who have new ideas, products and technologies.  She co-branded the first credit card in the nation with MBNA (one of the largest credit card companies in the world) to start the first credit card for innovators, patent attorneys and patent agents.  All proceeds Dr. Bird receives from this card are donated to the Inventors Educational Foundation.

Dr. Pamela Bird and her husband, Dr. Forrest Bird, are the Founders of the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center.  This is the world’s only aeromedical museum featuring more than 20 unique aircraft, rare vintage cars and a unique display of inventions from some of the greatest inventors in history who have impacted the world forever.  The museum also includes over 100 medical respirators, inventions from the pioneering of medi-evac, anti-g suit pressure regulator and the Baby Bird® (First mass produced worldwide respirator for babies, lowering the mortality rate for premature babies from 70% to 10%).  The museum’s motto is, “One person can change the world and it can be you!”  The Birds’ hope is to get more young people interested in math, science, innovation and aviation.

Dr. Pamela Bird is a licensed pilot with interests in aviation, horseback riding, snow skiing, gardening and boating.
 

Allan “Al” Branson

My wife and I have been residents of Martin Bay since 2000.  I retired in 1995 after 28 years in the electrical wholesale field.  Barb and I have been married to 53 years and have two sons and two grandsons.  Our youngest grandson is serving in the U.S. Army at Ft. Bliss, Texas.

I enjoy building models and photography, and  love to collect things.  I have a collection of National Geographic magazines dating back to 1915.  I serve as VP on the Gamlin Lake Cemetery Association board and serve on the board at the Church in the Wildwood.

My favorite advice is “Keep ‘em flying” and to me the most memorable historic event was the invasion at  Normandy during  WW II.

My wife and I love to travel, we were recently in Europe, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Alaska and Nova Scotia.  We have driven across Western Canada as well.

I enjoy volunteering at the Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center where many of my military models are on display, and of course Dr. Bird’s medical devices that have been so very beneficial to my health.
 

Barbara “Barb” Branson

My husband and I have been residents of Martin Bay since 2000.  I also retired that year from the St. Paul Insurance Co. as a commercial insurance technician after 18 years.  We have two sons and two grandsons, the youngest of which is serving in the U.S. Army at Ft. Bliss, Texas.

I enjoy sewing, reading and fishing.  I am on the board of the Gamlin Lake Cemetery Association serving as Secretary/Treasurer.  I also teach Sunday school at the Church in the Wildwood and am the Secretary for the Emerald Beach Homeowners Cooperative Association.  As if that doesn’t keep me busy enough, I work full time at Percussionaire Corporation.  I believe in the respirators that we make and the good that they do for people.

Words that I have always found comfort in are paraphrased from the Bible,”God is faithful in all things.”

For me the most memorable historic event was when Israel became an independent nation in 1948.  I believe that God’s clock began to tick again and we are in the days of the events in the book of Revelations.

I love to travel with my husband Al and I want to go deep sea fishing.
 

Scott Brusaw

I have a successful marriage, five children and a grandchild.  Ten years as a Scouting Leader for the Boy Scouts of America (Cubmaster and Scoutmaster, several awards including a life-saving medal).  I am currently the Sagle Scoutmaster for Troop 140 and I’ve been a  4-H leader, a children’s sports coach (football, basketball and baseball), and a Sunday school teacher.  I am active on the board of directors at the Church in the Wildwood.  I served in the U.S. Marine Corps and have the satisfaction that comes with knowing that I have served my country and community with honor.

My favorite quote is, “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on.  I don’t do these things to other people and I expect the same from them.”  John Bernard Books (John Wayne – The Shootist).

I would have to say that September 11th, 2001 is the most memorable event of our time.  The anger, the outrage, and the tears that flowed that day and the days that followed will be with me forever.  God forbid we ever forget or try to minimize the infamy of that day.

Volunteering at the Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center is a way to “give something back”.  Forrest, Pam and many other people in the community have been so helpful with our Solar Roadways project that I felt it was the least that I could do.  Also, I have always dreamed of becoming a pilot, so it’s a pretty good fit.
 

1.  Not a pilot

2.  Army, Physician and Instructor, Department of Family Practice, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, 1974 - 76.

3.  Emergency Physician, Deaconess, Spokane, retired 2004.  My greatest accomplishment: married to Judy nearly 40 years, three children, all good citizens and self supporting.

4.  Hobbies: maritime history, particularly great age of sail, age of discovery and ancient intercontinental exploration, lighthouses, life saving service; water sports (body surfing, sailing [especially tall ships]), swimming, rowing.
     Volunteer:  volunteer fireman and medical director, Mica-Kidd Island Fire District, since 1985 (my longest volunteer association, and what I'm most proud of).

5.  I'd say the "Golden Rule" works pretty well.

6.  What first came to mind was watching Neil Armstrong step onto the moon, the pinnacle of man's exploration.

7.  My interest was/is based on Dr. Bird's respirators, the use of which covered my entire career.
 

 
Mark M. Collins

I am a private pilot of 15 years and I divide my time between the Bay Area and Coeur d’Alene.  I successfully launched and ran a medical information/software company.  My wife is an award winning novelist and together we raised three wonderful children.

My favorite response to the myriad events life throws my way, be it success or failure, is “It was God”, from Genesis 45:8.

The event with the most impact on my life is the financial crisis of 2008-2009 because it impacted my entire plan for retirement and professional pursuits.

John Corn

I have been a resident of Sandpoint for 10 years in which time I have served on the DSBA Design Committee,  a Board member of the Sandpoint Air Service Committee,  and served on the Citizen’s Design Advisory Committee for the Byway.  I now serve as a charter member of the Board of the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency and Life Skills NW and am active on the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation and Bonner Community Housing Agency.

I was in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer.  I have a son who is a successful businessman.  I enjoy reading , mostly history and geopolitics, and watching football and basketball.   My outdoor activities are golf and skiing.

I am a real estate developer and consultant.  I have worked for the Sandpoint Charter School since its inception, most recently as consultant on the new high school.  We have resumed working to develop housing on the campus for teachers and staff.  I am also seeking financing for a large workforce housing development in Arizona for which we secured full entitlement last year. 

Meeting Pam, hearing her enthusiastic  description of the mission and content of the Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center coupled with my lifelong interest in aviation, were all it took.  Volunteering at the museum has been an extremely rewarding experience in every respect.  
 

1. Are you a pilot?   YES or NO  

2. Have you ever served in the military? YES          
If yes, what branch of service did you serve in?  U.S. ARMY     
What was your job while in service?  PARATROOPER/INFANTRY   

3. During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments (i.e.: career and family)?  GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:  GETTING MY WIFE SHERRY TO MARRY ME!  

4. What are some of your hobbies?  Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations?  YES If so, which ones?  BONNER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSIONER ,  IDAHO ESGR MEMBER, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

5. Do you have a favorite quote, motto or advice that you live by?  YES 
If so, what is it? DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY  (MOTTO OF THE US MILITARY ACADEMY)

6. As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why?  Election of Barack Obama. 
Why?  The election of Obama fundamentally changed the direction of our beloved country and will destroy capitalism as we know it and put the United States on the road to national socialism.

7. What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center?  Tom & Joyce Lane were instrumental in introducing us to the Bird Museum.

8. Is there any additional information you would like us to know about yourself?    None
 

Ted Farmin

I am a fourth generation native of Sandpoint where I have raised three children and learned many trades.  I’ve been a pilot for 45 years, flying commercial, instrument, CFI in land, sea and glider.  I currently fly an RV-4  and am building an RV-12.  I am involved with the EEA and Young Eagles.

The assassination of President Kennedy was a most memorable event; I was peeling  potatoes on KP duty at Fort Ord California.

I volunteer at the Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center because I enjoy being around  the airplanes and people that have an interest in aviation.

Don Hanes

1. Are you a pilot?   YES
If yes, how many years have you been flying?  Since 1968
Commercial or Private? Type of certification? Commercial, Instrument, SEL

2. Have you ever served in the military? 

3. During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments (ie: career and family)?  I worked for American Airlines for 35 years

4. What are some of your hobbies?  Flying, Fishing, Hunting
Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations? If so, which ones? 

5. Do you have a favorite quote, motto or advice that you live by? If so, what is it?  

6. As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why?   The attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941
  

7. What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center?  My interest in volunteering at the Bird Aviation Center was the opportunity to meet  so many interesting people, especially flyers and youngsters interested in the history of flight and the opportunities to expand their knowledge of the importance of invention, which led this Nation to be FIRST  in saving lives , and leading the world in technology.
 

Bill Hertzberg

William Hertzberg’s Intellectual Property Development Consultancy is a small product commercialization consultancy which specializes in facilitating the development and placement of product properties. Generally, activity is limited to early-stage product programs—ideation, market research and market development, and licensing or alliance development. 

My inventions and innovations have been featured in national consumer magazines, dozens of industry journals, on national television, and in the famous Sears Catalog.  I hold U.S. Patents and am a co-author of a nationally distributed book on innovative education featuring a forward by one of this century’s greatest innovators, R. Buckminster Fuller.  My product development and market development experience spans several industries, disciplines, markets, distribution channels and marketing communication media. 

For example:
In the eighties, 1983-1985, I invented and developed the FoodTools Pastry Slicing machinery, an automated commercial slicing machine for round-cake product (incorporating automated placement of wax-paper separators).  The machinery and brand remain the standard in the industry today. With corporate end-users such as Sara Lee, Pepperidge Farms, and most of the industry, this invention has now serviced the food processing industry for twenty years.   I continued my development activity within the commercial food processing equipment field, inventing a fully automated In-Pan Slicer in 1989, the first of which was sold to Sara Lee International for $80.000.

In 1984 I introduced the Kiddie Belt, the original child restraint safety belt for use in supermarket shopping carts.  Initially, I introduced the Kiddie Belt as a juvenile products item through placement in the Spencer Gifts Catalog.  Following this initial release to the parental market as a consumer item, I pioneered the sale of these unique restraint devices directly to grocery retailers, as a commercial item.  Such restraint devices have now become the standard in supermarket shopping cart child safety.

In the early nineties, 1990-1992, I invented and introduced the innovative Zipper Retractable Truck Shell, an automotive aftermarket truck accessory product which was designed by what is now BMW’s international award winning design firm. The Zipper was accepted by Sears and appeared in the Sears Catalog as well as scores of national magazines and national television.

In the mid-nineties, 1994-1996, we pioneered and introduced long-form infomercials (direct response television) to Australia, operating as Australia’s Home Shopping Store (HSS).At that time, HSS was the largest buyer of long-form infomercial advertising media in Australia. We went to air with such campaigns as Miracle Blade, Tony Little Target Training, Flying Lure, Regal Cookware, and many more.

In 2000 I introduced many products and several were released to market, both through licensing or alliance agreements, or in limited cases, direct release.  Through the direct marketing catalog medium I placed an innovative item in the apparel accessory category, Cool N' Neat, an interior hat-band which eliminates “Hat Hair”.  Also, through direct marketing catalogs I placed Pivotal Security Devices’ Hose Bibb Lockout, a water conservation and safety device in the industrial safety category.

In 2000, I licensed an innovative lawn and garden product, Border Solutions Snap Together Flowerbeds, to an established New York based lawn and garden company with tradition distribution channels to garden centers nationally.  
In 2000, through the direct response television medium, I placed Stain Buddy Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner on QVC, the premiere home shopping channel.  This product  typically generates 30k to 80k in sales during each eight minute airing.  Under the brand name Spot Doctor we have placed a concentrated version of the above formulation on the Home Shopping Network (HSN).  In 2005, we signed an agreement with TimeLife to release a commercial television campaign for the formula under the brand Stain Pal. 

In the juvenile products category, I licensed the BirdNest Baby Transport System to an established company that has serviced the juvenile products market for 65 years.  The BirdNest Baby Transport System is currently in K-Mart Stores, J.C. Penney’s Catalog, Toys R Us/Babies R Us, and several specialty juvenile products catalogs, as well as scores of independent retailers across the country.

Recently, with the assistance of Tarlow Designs, I designed a manual recount device which was used by the state of Ohio to conduct the first manual recount of the new Diebold TSX electronic voting machine. 

Jan Lee

1. Are you a pilot?   YES
If yes, how many years have you been flying? 
Commercial or Private? Private
What type of aircraft do you fly? Air Coupe

2. Have you ever served in the military?

3. During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments (ie: career and family)?  5 years of home inspecting, 5 years of day trading, 6 years of electronic automotive tool development and product management and 20 years of automotive service 

4. What are some of your hobbies?   Flying, Mountain biking, snowboarding
Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations? If so, which ones? 

5. Do you have a favorite quote, motto or advice that you live by? If so, what is it? “Fly the Plane”. My father inspired me to become a pilot.  

6. As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why? 

7. What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center?  Friendships.
 

Name:        James Byron Mcnew      

Are you a pilot?    NO     

Have you ever served in the military?    Yes    

If yes, what branch of service did you serve in?   USN          

What was your job while in service?    Reactor operator, Submarines       

During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments?

(ie: career (Nuclear trained at S5G facility in Idaho, Submarine qualified onboard SSN-588, fast attack sub based in San Diego, B school Closed Circuit TV, Scuba diver, NAUI card 3 months prior to entry into service) and family (Married twice with 1 daughter while in service)   
 

What are some of your hobbies?  Motorcycles, raced dirt bikes and road race, enjoyed road rallies in Bay area while training as a nuke. Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations? If so, which ones?   EAA is the only org, Joined 02 2009.

As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why?   The invention of the computer, with the subsequent release of the internet to the public.  My entire Nuke career was by slide rule, only. I was done and out as the calculator first came along. To be able to use a computer would have been a God send. 
 

What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center?  I joined the BAM&IC as a natural course of events while in the EAA. The exposure is as I expected it to be.  
 

Is there any additional information you would like us to know about yourself?  I have always loved flying. I wish that I had dug into flying while I was in High School. My education has always just been limited to HS. I would love to explore college, now, but I would probably just dig into phyisics, math, and astro-physics. There's no money there, so I would have been better off exploring flying. I guess I should have dived into aeronautics.

Paul Nowaske

Where it all began:
I was born in Detroit, Michigan in September, 1942.  I attended grade school and high school in the Detroit area, graduating from Notre Dame High School in June, 1960. 

The Military
After attending a Detroit area community college for two years, I entered the United States Air Force in the summer of 1962 where I spent four years as an aircraft electrician at bases in Europe and the Continental US. 

Post Military Career
Upon discharge from the Air Force in 1966, I went to work for The Flying Tiger Line in Los Angeles, California.  There I moved through the aircraft technician ranks and into management ultimately becoming Manager of Maintenance Control, responsible for tracking and maintaining a domestic and international fleet of Boeing and McDonald Douglas jet aircraft.

With the merger of Flying Tigers and Federal Express in August 1989, I accepted the position of Senior Manager, LAX Maintenance Support Shops, a group consisting of ten managers and roughly 200 technicians in structures, welding, machine, engine, hydraulics, composites and avionics skills.  This skill group was responsible for the technical health of the 747 and DC10 aircraft that visited LAX for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.

After three years as a Senior Manager in aircraft maintenance for FedEx, 26 years in Southern California and a desire to rekindle my love of a four season lifestyle, I chose a new career path.   A Federal Express courier position opened up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho a year after I had purchased, what I had hoped to be, my future retirement home in Dover, Idaho.  In the fall of 1992 I started a two year career as a courier covering most areas of the Idaho Panhandle.  

The summer of 1994 found me itching to play with airplanes again (as a technician, not a manager).   July that year I returned to my home in Southern California and picked up my career as an avionics technician with FedEx ultimately retiring back to Dover, Idaho at the end of 2002.

Retirement Years
As one who did little volunteering during my working years, I have changed course completely as a retiree.  I’m currently a member of two Dover commissions - Planning and Zoning where I sit as chair and Urban Renewal.

Family
My former wife and I raised four children in Southern California.  Those four children have, in turn, provided us with seven grandchildren ranging in age from 2 years to 17 years – three in California, three in Ohio and one in Minnesota.  Like my father before me, I am a road warrior and thoroughly enjoy the travel needed to see all of them.

Hobbies (What I like to do with my time)

Annette Orton

1. Are you a pilot? Yes.  Pilot candidate preparing for the checkride. Expect the license in a month or less.

If yes, how many years have you been flying?  1 year  private airplane
What type of aircraft do you fly? Student pilot in gliders also

2. Have you ever served in the military? 2 years in the US Naval Reserve

If yes, what branch of service did you serve in?   Not activated
What was your job while in service?                    Medical corpsman

3. During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments (ie: career and family)?   50 years of science and math teaching in high school. ( 33 years full time) Raised 3   children successful in their careers and personal lives.

4. What are some of your hobbies? Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations? If so, which ones? Flying and reading are hobbies.
Have volunteered all my life: Collecting for the YMCA, Sunday School teaching;
Volunteering in elementary school and middle school teaching gifted students in Latin, French and chemistry.
Treasurer of the glider club of Spokane and the Sandpoint EAA chapter.
Have volunteered my whole life when needed.

5. Do you have a favorite quote, motto or advice that you live by? If so, what is it?
“ I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any human being , let me do it now. Let me not defer it, or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”     Stephen Grellet  1778- 1855

6. As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why? Walking on the moon in 1969.  Seemed so improbable a few years before.

7.         What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center? My interest in airplanes, gliders and the human body.

8. Is there any additional information you would like us to know about yourself?
I consider it a privilege to work at the Bird Aviation Museum  for Pam and Forrest    and with Rachel.

I have talked to  so many  pilots coming through the museum who have had interesting stories to tell. They appreciate such a quality aviation museum.
 

HAROLD J. RADEKE

Are you a pilot?  Yes I've been flying from 1967 - 1990 - 860 hours
Commercial license ASEL
Aircraft - Cessna - 150, 172, 175, 177, 182, 206
Piper - Super Cub, 140, 180, Cherokee- 6
Citabria - 115 and 150 HP
Mooney - M-20F 550 hours

Military Service - Navy ROTC Iowa State B.S. Aero Engineering Active Duty - Engr Officer - Navy Surface-to-Air Missile Programs Testing (1959 - 1962)
           
Civilian - Aerospace Engineering -
1. Apollo Guidance and Control System - Command Module (1962 - 1967)
2. Hughes Aircraft - Ground Systems (1967 - 1970)

Civilian -
Plumbing and Heating Contractor (1972 - 2005)

Family
Wife - Barbara of 41 years
Daughter - Christina Aspen H.S. 1999 B.A. Lewis & Clark College 2003    Major:  Languages - Chinese 2 1/2 years working and teaching in China. 
MBA Owen Business School - Vanderbilt University
Presently employed by Electronic Arts, Redwood City, CA

Volunteer
Bird Museum
Christ our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Handicap Van Driver 
Choir Member

Hobbies
Fishing, Boating, Shotgun Target Shooting

Favorite Quote:
"For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes ever turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." (Leonardo Da Vinci)

Historical Event:
Landing Men on the Moom (I was a part of the Apollo Team)
 

Willis F (Buzz) Sherman Jr

1. Are you a pilot?   YES
If yes, how many years have you been flying? Since 1965 (40+ years)
Commercial or Private? Type of certification?  ATP, CFI CFI-I CFI-ME, FE
What type of aircraft do you fly? Type rated B-747 B757/767 B737-200 B707 B727
Currently Mooney 201

2. Have you ever served in the military?  yes         
If yes, what branch of service did you serve in?  USAF
What was your job while in service?  Aircraft commander KC-135

3. During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments (ie: career and family)?  Bach Degree - Business,  Private pilot (400hrs) in college, USAF 5yrs, United airlines - 28yrs, Retired, 3 children

4. What are some of your hobbies? Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations? If so, which ones?  Still fly.  Security and Mamaboyz for RHM in CDA, Help with local theater,

5. Do you have a favorite quote, motto or advice that you live by? If so, what is it? Treat others as you would like to be treated.

6. As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why?  President Kennedy's death was the start of numerous events that would seem impossible before they happened. Life is short and every turn unexpected, so every person should daily try to do something to improve it.

7. What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center?  I felt like it was a place where I felt at home and my efforts would be appreciated.

Jim Spagon

1. Yes 3yrs last time in 1988 Private had Piper Warrior 2

2. No

3. Career as Spacecraft Systems Engineer at TRW--Worked on some of our country's major aerospace efforts (Atlas, Apollo, B1, B2,Viking Mars Lander as well as various NASA Observatories,  Weather and Military Satellites.  Did Organizational Business Consulting.  Started Life Skills NW.   Have 9 children and stepchildren, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; Married 22 years to Linda (one of my greatest achievements)

4. Learning and Playing Jazz Piano,  and anything to do with airplanes.  Member of Airport Advisory Board,  Trustee at the County Library, Chairman of Life Skills NW Board

5.To yourself be True,  Keep God in the center of my life  

6. Pearl Harbor as that is one of my first memories because of the emotional imprint it made on my family.

7.  The graciousness of the Bird Family and the love of aviation
 

Larry Tassie

 I am not a pilot, but I did learn to take off and land the "Loch" helicopter in Vietnam for survival purposes.
 

I served 36 years in the Army. I was an artilleryman.  I served in WW II (drafted) from Pvt. to Staff Sgt., then was commissioned and served in Korea as a forward observer, recon and survey officer.   Served one year in Saudi Arabia (1955-56), a four year assignment in Austria as assistant to the Military Attaché.  Selected to the command and staff college, then was assigned to the Pentagon on the General Staff (4 years). Went to Viet Nam in 1979, was Battalion Commander and Division Artillery commander, 4th Division.  Attended University of Utah to attain my masters degree. I was then assigned to Austria as the Defense Attaché, US Embassy, Vienna.  Attended US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. My last assignment was Alaska as G-1, where I retired.

I am Chairman of the Board, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Coeur d’ Alene Gun Club President, President Panhandle Shrine Club,  US Representative at the annual anniversary of the United States Purchase of Alaska at Sitka, Alaska.  Selected "Executive of the Year" in Spokane, 2004
   
I enjoy shooting both trap and skeet, playing golf, fishing, studying military history and cooking.

My favorite quote: Don't complain about others until you have walked a mile in their shoes. (Not accurate, but the meaning is there. Author unknown to me.)
 

Most memorable historic even in my lifetime was WW II, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the removal of the Berlin Wall. Those three events dramatically changed the world and I was there.

I have great respect and love for Drs. Forrest and Pam Bird. I love their enthusiasm and "can do" attitude. They are leaders. They are both geniuses in my book. I want to be a part of their programs.

Dale Walker

I am a pilot in my spare time and I very much enjoying flying.

During my lifetime, I graduated from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland with a degree in Dentistry in 1959. I was in private practice for 22 years in Portland and then continued my work for an additional 20 years of clinical dentistry in Africa while flying to many different countries and mission hospitals to train and work.

Some of my hobbies are flying, hunting and fishing. My wife and I also winter in Florida since the weather is warmer down and return back to Idaho in the Spring. Some advise that I live by in that “only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. What would it profit a man to gain the whole world ad loose his own soul”.

One of my most memorable events in my life was graduating from dental school as it opened the door to many opportunities and challenges throughout life and I am pleased where my accomplishments have landed me.

The reason I am interested in volunteering here at the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center is because I'm intrigued with the philosophy of the Birds for helping others. I'm grateful for the availability of General Anesthetic for patients, oral surgery and children's dentistry, since that is my passion.
 

Dan Wimberly

1. Are you a pilot?   NO

2. Have you ever served in the military?  Yes
If yes, what branch of service did you serve in -USAF
What was your job while in service – Navigator/Weapon System Operator
SR-71 Mission Planner

3. During your life and career, what are some of your accomplishments (ie: career and family)?
21 yr career in USAF, 2 tours in Vietnam, won Mathis Trophy in Stategic Air Command’s annual Bombing Competition, had the opportunity to fly a prototype Czech jet fighter while working for Boeing.

4. What are some of your hobbies? Do you volunteer or participate in other community organizations? If so, which ones – Hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing.

I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and mentor with Kinderhaven

5. Do you have a favorite quote, motto or advice that you live by? If so, what is it? Freedom is not Free.

6. As far as historical events, what is the most memorable event to you and why? 9/11.  Because of it demonstrated how others around the world will stop at nothing in an attempt to push their agenda against the US.

7. What interested you in volunteering here at Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center? - Love of aviation, history, and teaching others about the wonders of flying and inventing.

8. Is there any additional information you would like us to know about yourself?

Not at this time.