With twin brother Howard (1910-1995), founded Funk Aircraft Company

Another piece of our aviation history has broken the tiedowns that secure the soul on this world, and gone west. Joe Conrad Funk (below, center; his son Larry, left; grandson Daniel, right), co-founder of Funk Aircraft, passed away on Thursday, December 2. Joe joins his twin brother Howard, who passed away in 1995.

The following text has been adapted from the Kansas Aviation Museum's Hall of Fame text for the Funk Brother's induction.

JOE CONRAD FUNK AND HOWARD CLARK FUNK
Friday, November 13, 1998

The twins, Joe Conrad Funk (1910-2004) and Howard Clark Funk (1910-1995), were born September 17th, 1910 in Akron, Ohio. While in grade school they rebuilt a Model T automobile and at 17 years of age received a patent on an engine accessory. They graduated from high school at age 20. In 1926, the twins took their first airplane ride. The brothers eventually earned Engineering Degrees.

One of their outstanding aviation accomplishments included development of the first two-place dual control glider, which enabled glider pilots, for the first time, to be instructed with the instructor in the planes with them. They were also the first to launch a glider from an automobile tow. They set an unofficial maximum climb glider record of 2,500 feet per minute for a sustained two minutes.

They developed the first fully tunneled aircraft cooling system for liquid cooled engines, which they used in an aircraft of their own design. In 1937 they were the last company to enter the US Government's famous "$700 Airplane Program," and came closest to meeting the standard set by the government by building a stall- and spin-resistant light plane that has been described as the safest and easiest to fly of any light aircraft ever built. The Funk brothers were probably the last to get an automobile engine certified for use as a commercial aircraft engine.

The Funk brothers engineering talents were not limited to aviation, although that was their first interest. They experimented with klieg lights of their own design, perpetual motion machines, and many other ideas, but always keeping aviation in mind. In 1933, they built their first airplane in just over six months. As they developed the aviation business, they organized a club to raise funds to finance building the units. The main outstanding feature of the "Funk" aircraft was the innovative use of the Model "A" Ford automobile engine, which was turned "upside down and backwards."

In 1941, after making about 110 aircraft in Akron, Ohio, the Funk Aviation activities were moved to Coffeyville, Kansas. During World War II, the Funk activities were limited to making various parts for the government. Upon resuming aircraft production, the Funk manufacturing organization produced an additional 255 Funk aircraft for an all-time total of 365 aircraft, of which 200 remain in existence. This is a greater survival rate than any other contemporary aircraft with a similar production schedule over a comparable time span.

In 1948, the Funk manufacturing efforts were switched to automotive transmissions. There were also tragedies during their business experiences. A fire burned the company, destroying many important historical records. However, they were able to relocate to Industrial Park in Coffeyville.

In 1975, after a long history of creative engineering, the Funk twins retired from business in Coffeyville. Retirement did not end their creativity. Howard equipped his home with automatic doors, and designed a motorcycle. Joe continued working on a variety of projects in his workshop.

Joe and his wife Juanita had five children and two grandchildren. Howard and his wife Charlotte had three children, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In 1978, the Funk brothers were honored by the Smithsonian Institution as Aviation Pioneers. Every year there is an annual Funk Fly-in, a weekend for owners of Funk airplanes to gather; it takes place at the Coffeyville Municipal Airport.

FMI: www.funkflyers.org