Rod Schack

Retired United States Air Force Major Rod Schack died unexpectedly Dec. 9, 2006, at the young age of 44. He left behind his beloved wife of 13 years, Tami, and their three lovely children, McKenzie, 11, McKayla, 10 and Keenen, 8. Rod served in the United States Air Force for 22 years. While on active duty, he served his country well. He was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm (first Iraq war), Uphold Democracy (Haiti); Vigilant Warrior (prevented second Iraqi invasion of Kuwait), Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Decisive Edge, Deliberate Guard and Decisive Endeavor (all over Bosnia-Herzegovina), Shining Hope (humanitarian support of refugees from Kosovo War); Atlas Response (humanitarian relief of flood-stricken Mozambique and Southern Africa.) He also had over 60 combat hours while flying as part of ABCCC (Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center) crew during Decisive Endeavor. Rod had a passion for flying airplanes and could not wait until the next time he was in the air. He had an eye for photography and always had a camera in his hand. Rod was a private pilot since 1980 and a commercial glider pilot since 1987. Rod has been an active member in EAA for 15 years in several chapters around the U.S. He was a wonderful asset to EAA Chapter 1377. He edited our web site and provided many informative presentations for the members. He is missed.

Tom & Adrienne Slavonik

Tom has a long range goal of building a Starduster Too similar to the one pictured. 

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Here is Toms full Bio

Buz Rich

Buz is a retired Air Force fighter pilot who has been flying most of his life.  A member of EAA since 1974, Buz built a Pitts Special from plans (which he flew for over 29 years and recently sold), restored a number of vintage aircraft (two of which were Oshkosh and Sun-N-Fun champions), and he just completed building a VM-1 Esqual LS.  The LS stands for "Lightning Stuff" because it has several components from the Arion Lightning. He is a charter member of EAA Chapter 1377, having started the chapter and then served as its president for the first three years.  He is also an active member and director of EAA Chapter 156 where he is the driving force behind their construction of a Zodiac XL aircraft.   Buz is a long time EAA Flight Advisor, a Technical Counselor, and in 2004 was selected for one of the EAA Major Achievement Awards.

Karen Bradshaw

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Dale & Janie Fowler

Dale was born on a farm in Oklahoma at a very young age. Once he got big enough to run, he took every opportunity to run outside to see every airplane that flew over the farm. He managed to fake his way into the Air Force Academy and did 28 years in the USAF as a fighter pilot (F-100, F-4, F-5) and aircraft maintenance officer. It is a toss-up which of those occupations led to the white hair. Dale currently flies a Glastar that he bought finished but he continues to modify it. The biggest mod was changing the gear from tricycle to conventional. In the 80’s he and Janie owned a Bushby Mustang II. Speaking of Janie, she is a retired school teacher who enjoys flying with Dale.

Joseph & Linda Mathias

Joe has been flying since high school; he earned his private certificate before graduation.    All he ever wanted to do was fly; he started in a J3 Cub and after flying DC-3s to Boeing 737s for Piedmont Airlines, he is now back in the Cub which he restored in November, 2004.  Joe was a charter member of EAA chapters 156, 339, and 1377.  He was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in November, 2005 and received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in March, 2006.  Joe has won Grand Champion awards at both Oshkosh and Sun 'n' Fun.

Linda has been flying since 1971 and is a FAA-designated pilot examiner for airplanes and gliders.   She is also a member of the Hampton Roads Chapter 99s and the Women's Soaring Pilots Association.   Both Linda and Joe are judges for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.    They own a Bellanca Decathlon, Piper J3, LK-10A glider and are restoring a 1936 Waco Custom Cabin, Piper J5, and Druine Turbulent. They also recently completed an Arion Lightning.

J3 Cub

Bryson & Christie Trumble

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Everett Williams

Everett is the Chapter Treasure.  

Tim Riddick

Tim logged 44 hours between 1976 & 1977, then started flying again in July of 2000 and got his ticket in February of 2001.  He has been an EAA member since 2003 and Vice President of Chapter 1377 and the YE coordinator for 2006. He was a previous owner of a Cessna 150, has rented a Cessna 172 at Franklin, and recently purchased a Piper Cherokee 140. Tim works hard to get new people into flying, especially the young.

Parker and Melissa Darden

Parker and Melissa Darden are well known to the Franklin Airport Community. Parker’s interest in aviation has it’s roots in his childhood.  His uncle, Everett Williams, who was in the Air National Guard, would fly over to tell Parker’s family it was time to pick him up at Langley Air Force Base. These visits helped to fan the spark into a flame later on in Parker’s life. Upon retirement, Everett established his flying business at Franklin and asked Parker if he would like “to join in on the fun.” Parker enrolled in Everette’s ground school and Melissa helped him study. She would also sit in the back of the airplane on some training flights. Darde would get Everett up early for a training flight before the start of Darden’s work day. Darden was the first of Everett’s students to get his private certificate.

Glenn Edwards

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Dick & Joan Tokars

Congratulations Newlyweds!

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Jimmy Howell

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Tommy Ellis

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Dan Kirk

Dan recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army.  He joined the EAA in 2001 while stationed at Fort Knox, KY.  The local airport was two miles from his home and became his "home away from home."  Dan found EAA members be to wonderfully supportive of his flying endeavors.  He flies a hot air balloon, named STARSHIP, and may be the only balloonist in the EAA.  In 2003 Dan carried 10 Young Eagles aloft while tethered in the fog as his fixed wing brothers assisted and waited for the fog to lift.  He had a marvelous time and received a certificate from his hero Chuck Yeager.  Dan has often said he would get his fixed wing license and his exposure to EAA activities continues to fuel his desire to do so. Dan also thinks it would be great to build a plane or an ultra-light and he would be glad to help someone else with their project.  For now he travels the country when Ihe can and participates in National Ballooning events.  Dan recently moved to Dover, Delaware, has set up a ballooning business. He also edits our newsletter.

Bill Rickard

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This page last updated on: 06/01/08