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.