Written by MB (04/2010); Transcribed by JS (05/2010)
It is with great sadness that I report our District X Vice President Jim Giffin passed away on Sunday, January 31. Jim loved his wife and family, and he served our country with pride, but I want you all to know, Jim was so proud to be your vice president, and that the district was very important to him.
I know many of you knew Jim, but for those who didn’t, Jim belonged to clubs all over the district at one time or another and helped to build many, as well as hold officer positions in many more. He was the International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) president for three years and an IMAA assistant director before that.
Jim became an AMA District X Associate Vice President (AVP) for Rich Hanson on December 6, 2000, and served with distinction as an AVP until July 2008. At that time, Jim took over the reins as the District X Vice President when Rich stepped down to take the role of AMA’s Representative of Government and Regulatory Affairs.
Jim’s eight years of service as an AVP earned him AMA’s Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to him by Dave Mathewson, AMA’s President, at the 2008 AMA Expo and Convention.
Rich wrote, “Jim was a very close and dear personal friend. I admired and respected him for his no-nonsense business intellect and his straightforward approach to solving problems and relating to people. We shared similar military backgrounds as Army aviators and an enduring love of all aspects of aviation. Jim truly had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back or the prop off his plane if you needed it.”
Merriam Maida, AVP Rick Maida’s wife, wrote, “I always felt special when I talked with Jim. He was open, honest, always approachable, and what a flirt. He made sure I knew I was his friend, not just the wife of a pilot. The world is a little sadder place without him.” Jim competed in the Masters class and he always liked Scale airplanes the most, especially the Cub. But his greatest love (as far as the hobby is concerned) was sport flying and hanging out with friends at the flying field. I spent a lot of time with Jim over the last seven or eight years, and we talked almost daily for the most of it. He was more than good to me and I am proud to call him my friend.
Although Jim’s loss is most important to me right now, I hope I can fill his shoes as your next District X Vice President. If there is anything I can do for any of you or your club, please contact me any time.
The new District X newsletter will continue as planned.
Photo from Jim Giffin obituary, AMA website, posted February 2, 2010
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