[NSRCA-discussion] Ron Van Putte

[dpecknsrca at aol.com]

I shall always remember Ron as the solider who served his country and led the people like myself through the ranks of AMA pattern.  John Fuque and  Ron Van Putte are the reason Huntsville, AL had quality AMA pattern competitors to attend their Rocket City Radio Controllers Pattern Meets since the late sixties; and helped put them on!.  I am sadden to hear of Ron passing and also tired of losing friends like Steve Helms locally here in New Market near Huntsville. 

 
Thank God for Ron or there might not have been a John Fuque to direct and support so much of our hobby.  I am a 76 year old four year triple heart bypass survivor and should be out there flying like Ron did after his rehab. All of you guys are the greatest and none of you can be replaced.  Kirk Grey dying before Ed Hartley... we can't control all of our maneuvers; I don't try to judge some.

 
Serving as the Huntsville, AL Rocket City Radio Controllers president in 1999-2001, I would like to state that I am notify all of John and Ron's buddies, as did Bryan Kennedy did by phone just this morning.  RIP


Respectively,
Don Peck
 
In a message dated 3/11/2018 7:02:29 PM Central Standard Time, nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org writes:

 
It is with a great personal sense of loss and sadness that I inform the pattern community that Ronald E. Van Putte passed away today.    Ron had had bypass surgery and seemingly was recovering from that with no issues.     But sadly after we returned from the Southeast Model Show, Ron had to be admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and other heart related issues from which he never recovered.
 
Ron was an icon in the pattern world.    He started flying pattern in the early 60’s and was active to the end.    He did it all.    Fierce pattern competitor, Contest Director, Nats Event director multiple times,  World Championship judge, World Championship co-event director.    He was the anchor of the Eglin Aero Modelers for as long as the club has existed and also ran a hobby shop for many, many years. 
 
I knew him for 40 years and we probably put 50,000 miles together on our vehicles going to contests over the years.    He was my best friend and I will miss him greatly as the whole community will.    I have no information  at this time on funeral plans. 
 
Very respectfully
 
John Fuqua
Cell 850-974-6655
 
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