Written by JK (04/2008), Transcribed & reformatted by KE & JS (04/2008)
Remembering Vernon Hacker—By: John Kagan
The Indoor community lost a well-respected member, tireless supporter, and good friend when Vernon Hacker passed away this winter. Known affectionately as “Doc” or “Hack” (he was both a surgeon and a golfer), he loved model airplanes and flew them his whole life. He enjoyed competing but was even more known for the support, guidance, and encouragement he gave to many in the hobby.
Doc took me under his wing when I moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1998. We poured microfilm in his basement, realizing the strength of the fumes only after we returned back from a trip upstairs. (I wonder how many brain cells I lost on that project!)
When the models covered with the film we made together won the next F1D World Championships, he was not so much thrilled as he was quietly satisfied—like a proud parent. Doc touched many modelers’ lives, with a particular emphasis on beginners and Juniors. He mentored countless fliers (many who are top-level competitors today), traveled to several World Championships as a supporter, raised funds for the Junior team, and when his mobility was restricted by medical equipment, he was the first to try to hook up new modelers with mentors wherever they lived.
At Doc’s memorial service I learned that his beneficence extended well beyond the modelairplane world to chief of surgery, community pillar, and even barbershop quartets! He was opinionated, sharp-witted, and quick to speak his mind, but he had a great heart, and those of us who had the honor of knowing him will miss him dearly.
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