Edward Aikman
Edward Aikman, age 79, of Marion, Illinois, passed away on December 19,
2000, after an eight-month battle with leukemia. A long-time free-flighter,
Ed first became prominent for winning Class "C" Gas at the 1955 Nats in
California with his own design "Bejabbers." He was best characterized,
however, when in 1984 he became one of the first people to receive the
"Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award" for service to model
aviation.
Soon after WWII, he converted his father's large garage into a
combination workshop, hobby shop, and meeting place where many future
champions were guided into modeling. SAM Chapter 57 was organized and
met there continuously until shortly before Ed died. Also, he was the
principal organizer and the contest director for the many large free
flight contests held in Marion, Illinois during the 1950s, 1960s, and
1970s.
Ed was a warm and generous man, and had
a kind word for everyone he met. He found some humor in virtually every
situation. His contest philosophy was: "It's the camaraderie, not the
competition, that counts."
Model aviation has lost a dear friend.
| Submitted by:
Warren Kurth |
