MAC's Old Team
March Lunch Meeting at Ryan's Family Steak House
March 09, 2005
Posted 03/13/05
Mac's Old Team held their monthly lunch at Ryan's Family Steak House in Bridgeton on Wed 9 March. With 80 in attendance this was one of our larger gatherings.
Mr. Joe Dobronski who served many years as a Mac test pilot and then as head of the Flight Test Division brought a very interesting talk, accompanied by a slide show presentation. Joe authored the book "A Sky Full of Challenges" that relates many of his experiences. Joe was kind enough to autograph copies of the book for a number of the attendees. You can learn more about Joe at his web page http://www.omnishops.com/TestPilot. Many thanks Joe, we really enjoyed it.
We had a number of first timers and some who hadn't been with us for a while. Howard Anthes returned from Florida in time to make his first appearance. John Tipton, recently retired on 2/28/05, joined our happy band. Al Chase, Al Bowell, Heinz Dutt, Ray Hoffman, and Bill Wickham were also among the first timers. Bill Grubbs and Don Jeffrey made an appearance after a too long absence. Hope you all enjoyed the lunch, the gab and the program and will be back often.
Fortunately there were door prizes. Unfortunately we were at the mercy of Beckel's grab bag for this month.The big winners??? were Ron Braunesreitter,Jim Dillon, Mick Gleason,Bob Lake,John Mohr, Dan Pelhank,Don Rebert, Dave Shean, John Wolter,David Young,and Gene Wehling. Congratulations guys.
Remember our teammates who are recuperating from an assortment of ailments common to our age group. The known list is Hal Flowers, Rick McGee, Harry Steele, Joe Trammel, Ed Stanwich,and Hoyt Ussery. Keep these guys in your prayers and give them a call or a visit. They will appreciate it. If you need any phone numbers or addresses just let Beckel know.
The next Mac Golf Tournament will be held at Country Lakes Golf Course on 19 May. For more info see the announcement on the web page or give Dave Szukalski a call at 636-227-5581. Remember golfers do not need to be a member of our lunch group. If you have some golfing friends, sign them up. The cost is only $40 and that includes green fee, cart, skins game, prizes and lunch. What a bargain!! The course also provides free coffee and doughnuts in the morning. You can get your own foursome together or Dave will team you up with other singles.
Mac's Old Team next lunch meeting will be at 11:00AM on Wed 13 April 2005 at the St Louis West Marriott at Maryville Centre, 660 Maryville Centre Drive, STL 63141.
This lunch will be hosted by Mr. Kenneth L. Rosenbaum of the UBS McFarland Financial Group. Lunch will be followed by a presentation by Mr. Rosenbaum.
Norman Beckel
6363-398-4568
Photos from the March 2005 meeting follow:
 Joe Dobronski, Paul Adams |
 George Mehlick, Joe Hely, Don Kummer, Tom Murray |
 Bob Carson, Carl Scheske, Paul Raidt, Harold Wilken |
 Joe Halleman, Dean Purdy |
 Zack Carter, Bill Wickham, Bob Graham |
 Joe Bell, John Hrenak, John Tipton |
 Larry Perlmutter, Glen Cordes, Harry Meriwether |
 Bill Grubs, Ray Tucker, Bo Hill |
 Gene Wehling on right |
 Dan Pelhank, Dean Purdy |
 facing: Howard Anthes, Bob Kimmel; back: John Tipton, John Hrenak |
 Dave Shean |
 John Mohr |
 front L-R John Tipton, Howard Anthes, John Hrenak, Warren Rundell: standing: Don Jeffrey, Frank Duda |
 Bill Wickham, Norm Beckel |
 Paul Raidt, Harold Wilken, Ted Esker |
 Joe Dobronski talks about his interesting career as MAC Chief Test Pilot and Director of Flight Operations |
 Dave Ott, Joe Bell, Bob Kimmel, Warren Rundell |
 |
 Bill Grubbs, Bo Hill, Ray Tucker, Don Leemann, Warren Rundell (back) |