Father-Daughter Team A First In State Aviation

By ANN Special Correspondent Rose M Dorcey

For the first time in its 18-year history, the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame this year inducted a father/daughter team at its annual investiture ceremony at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh (WI). Archie Towle and Marie Schuette (right) received the honor for over a half-century of commitment to Wisconsin aviation.

Archie Towle was manager and fixed base operator of the Wausau (WI) airport from 1931-1945. A barnstormer who gave aerobatic exhibitions throughout the state, Towle promoted aviation with such enthusiasm that 16 members of his family became pilots.   After his death in an airplane crash at age 45, his Towle Flying Service business lived on, managed by daughter and son-in-law, Marie & Lyle Grimm.

Age 22 when her father died in 1945, Marie was already an accomplished pilot. She soloed in an Aeronca C-3 at age 16 and became the country's youngest female pilot on her 17th birthday. She passed advanced aerobatic courses in a Waco F-2. The Grimm's managed the Wausau airport for nearly 30 years as Grimm Flying Service with one of the state's largest flying schools. She was a charter member of the WI 99's, won several awards for her aviation achievements, and, like her father, served on numerous state aviation planning committees. She continues her father's legacy with the establishment of the Archie C. Towle Aviation Scholarship.

A $1 airplane ride at age 8 led to a love of flying and the induction of Lt. Col. Robert Goebel (below, right) for his outstanding service to his country. Goebel became an ace in July of 1944 and a double ace by August. After flying 61 missions, the Racine (WI) native returned home in Sept. '44 with several medals, including the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross w/Oak Leaf Cluster. Once home, he earned a degree in Physics while serving as CO of the WI Air National Guard, then returned to active duty to work in the Gemini Space program. Retiring from the USAF in 1966, Goebel wrote a book entitled, Mustang Ace, Memories of a P-51 Pilot. 
 
In 1932, Eau Claire (WI) native Charles Wood built a primary glider while still in high school. He earned a glider rating in Poland just prior to WWII, and then came home to earn his instructor ratings. He was a CPT instructor, and he also trained British pilots inAT-6's. Returning to Eau Claire after the war, he was instrumental in establishing the Eau Claire airport at its present site. Wood died in August '03; son Guy accepted the plaque honoring his father and remarked, "I accept this honor in Dad's memory with great pride. He was excited about coming to Oshkosh for this event."
   
The Hall of Fame also recognizes aviators who made contributions prior to the Charles Lindbergh flight in its Pioneer category. 2003 recipients are Thomas Hamilton and Melvin Thompson. Hamilton, a pioneer pilot, designer and manufacturer, laid the foundation for the aviation industry in Wisconsin. He built his first airplane in 1910 and was the first person to fly in Washington State. In 1917 he moved to Milwaukee to design and build propellers and pontoons for the war effort. In '26 Hamilton designed and built his first all-metal monoplane, which carried passengers and mail for Northwest and other early airlines. Hamilton acquired property in Milwaukee that later became Mitchell International Airport.

Melvin Thompson began flying in 1918 at age 21 with a one-hour, $55 lesson at the Ralph Dickens Flying School in Chicago. He purchased a Heath kit the same year and commenced building his first airplane. Unhappy with the kit parts, he manufactured some of his own, and even carved the propeller from an ash tree he cut down. Thompson moved to Houston in 1922 and quickly became a Texas barnstormer by re-building a JN4D Jenny. He returned to Wisconsin to continue barnstorming, build airplanes and train pilots at Green Bay's first airport, Blesch Field. In 1928 he moved to the Kohler Airport and became Governor Walter Kohler's personal pilot. He remained active at the Kohler Airport until 1961; then moved to the New Holstein Airport, where he restored airplanes and operated the FBO until his retirement in 1968.

Rose M. Dorcey is a member of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall Of Fame Board Of Directors.

FMI: www.aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com