In this section, we hope to feature one of the club's members on a rotating basis.
This month's spotlight is on Bob Burgess. Bob is a long-standing member of IPMS-Gateway. I'll let his words tell you more about him.
Where were you born and raised? What movement have you made since then?
"Born in Deaconess Hospital (now called the Forest Park Hospital) in St. Louis, MO. Moved to other cities in college, then to other USA states and foreign countries as an officer in the US Air Force."
Where did you go to high school (important to those from St. Louis)?
"Feguson High School (now renamed McCluer High School)."
Married? Single? Kids?
"My wife is Doris. Our three children are Michelle (36 yr), Sarah (35 yr) and Nathan (33 yr)."
What is your occupation and did you serve in the military?
"Now retired. My occupations since college: officer in the US Air Force. Then employed by General Electric creating building (sic) in power planes. Then employed as a USA civil service engineer at Wright Patterson AFB. Then transferred to the US Army Aviation Command (AVSCOM) in St. Louis, MO and simultaneously participating as an aviator in the Air National Guard in Springfield, Il. Then retired from there in Nov. 97 when our Command was transferred to Huntsville, AL. Then a company employee to previous AVSCOM command conducting services until 2003."
How long have you been in this club? Are you a member of other modeling clubs?
"In this club since 1982. Member of IPMS modeling club in Dayton, OH in 1973."
When did you begin modeling?
"I began modeling in 1948 when my mother gave me a wood airplane kit."
Do you remember your first model? What was it?
"First model a Lockheed F-80 wood model by Comet. Afterward, I built many of the wood Strombecker kits. All these were sold before the plastic models were created for sale in 1951."
What is your favorite subject to model?
"Plastic airplane kits. 1/72nd scale and 1/32 scale."
Do you have a favorite scale?
"1/72nd scale."
Do you have any absolute favorite kit you've built? Why?
"No single favorite kit."
Any idea how many kits you've built? How many on display?
"I built 75 plastic airplane kits before the scales were ever listed or identified. These models are now referred to 'fit the box scale kits.' In 1958 I was informed about Airfix 1/72 model from the United Kingdom. I began to build these and I've built about 50 1/72 scale aircraft models. I've started about 20 others which I have not completed yet."
All right, honestly, how many kits in "the stash?"
"Over 2000"
Any modeling prizes?
"A few in our chapter."
Other hobbies?
"HO gauge model trains. I am a member of the Gandy Dancers model train club."
Have you held any club offices? Any regional or national level offices?
"I've been the president of IPMS Gateway in 1992, then I was a Director Member and after that I was the secretary of our chapter. No regional or national offices."
So there you have it. Bob Burgess as told in his own words. Bob and his wife, Doris, are regular attenders and members of IPMS Gateway, bringing to the club a wealth of history and experience. Make sure you say hello next time you're at a meeting.
