Written & Submitted by DBM (06/1996); Transcribed by NR (11/1996); Edited by SS (2002), Reformatted by JS (10/2009)
Career
- National Model Aviation Museum patron
- Designed and had published 69 construction articles
- Written 17 product reviews and how to articles
- Designed eight models that are currently kitted
Family
Married for 41 years to Jo Ann, three grown children and four grand children.
Education
La Crosse Kansas public schools.
B.A. General Science (triple minor in Physics, Chemistry and Biology) Fort Hays Kansas State University D.D.S. University of Missouri at Kansas City
USAF postgraduate program in Periodontia; at least 30 hours per year post graduate continuing annually for 39 years
Organizations
Class president sophomore, junior, senior years in high school Class president freshman year in college President Inter Fraternity Council F.H.K.S.U.
Secretary Professional fraternity Dental School President Professional fraternity Dental School Greensburg Kansas School board – eight years Greensburg Housing authority – four years Greensburg Lions Club first vice president
Hospital Staff (former) Comanche County, Bucklin District and Kiowa County Memorial Endowment association Dodge City Community College – 1970-72 President Alumni association F.H.K.S.U. – 1975 Endowment Association Board F.H.K.S.U. – 1972-1980
Various committees Wichita Dental Association, Kansas Dental Association and American Dental Association National Board of Directors – Trees For Life
Memberships
Academy of Model Aeronautics – 38 years
International Miniature Aircraft Association –12 years Society of Antique Modelers – 20 years A.M.A. Cloud 9 and advisory board – 1994 A.M.A. museum patron Honorary member T.O.R.K.S., Oklahoma City Member West Wichita RC Association since 1984 National Free Flight Society (former) Antique Airplane Association – 5 years Florida Aviation Historic Society – 3 years W.D.D.S., K.D.A., A.D.A.
Professional History
Graduated Dental School 1957, served as a Dental Officer (Captain) for the U.S. Air Force
25 years private practice Greensburg Kansas Moved to Wichita 1985 as Director of Dental Services for H.C.A. Wesley
Established multi-doctor group practice 1989 when H.C.A. opted out of dentistry No longer practice due to an eye problem, am presently management/consultant for Dental Associates.
Hobby
Modeler almost continuously for 57 years, have built and flown everything: o Hand launched glider o Free flight o Control line o Radio Control
Built and flew the classic Comet, Megow, Ace Whittman dime store models from age seven, following the example of an older boy who lived across the street. Received a “real” gas engine (a Vivell 35) for my 13th birthday.
First flew Control Line in 1946: first time I ever saw Control Line model in flight I had the handle!
Tried RC in 1953, went back to Free Flight and Control Line until 1973. My two sons and I competed regionally and nationally through the 1960s and 1970s, winning over a hundred trophies including national firsts in such diverse events as U/C scale, rubber powered scale, gas powered scale, tow line gliders, and many other events.
They at one time held three national records. Have designed and had published 69 construction articles ranging from tiny C02 powered sport Free Flights to 80 inch span 15 pound sport RC models.
Have also written 17 product reviews and how to articles.
Articles have appeared in
o Model Airplane News o Flying Models o Model Aviation o Model Builder o RC Modeler o Airbourne in Australia
Contributing editor, Model Aviation Magazine for 18 years.
Wrote a bi monthly column “Old-Timers” from February 1978 to December 1990. Changed to a broader format with “Flying for Fun” January 1991 to present. The columns generate about 20 letters per month with questions or requests all are, of course, answered.
Designed 8 models that are currently kitted on royalty by ACE RC and two that are kitted by other manufacturers (plus one that is not credited to me).
Summary
I could go on and on with soupy stuff about my lifetime fascination with building and flying model airplanes, but the best way I can express it is my desired epitaph: “He brought some moments of good fun to a lot of modelers.” (signed) Dr. D.B. Mathews 6/96
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