HONORARY MEMBERS OF REPUBLIC SEABEE OWNERS CLUB

The following honorary members, not necessarily all Seabee owners, are chosen for their special contributions to Seabee history, for generous sharing of their expertise with other Seabee owners and for invaluable contributions to the success of the "IRSOC". Look for further information on the honorees in the "Membership Pages" of the IRSOC Website.

George W Mojonnier
1918-2003

George was born in Chicago and lived most of his life there. He was a corporate officer in the family business for many years. Mojonnier Bros. Corp was a leader in the manufacture of dairy equipment and revolutionized the bottling industry with the invention of the carob cooler which helped make carbonated soda a household item. He later worked in general aviation. His first love was flying and he became a pilot at sixteen. Until age 82 he enjoyed flying around the country visiting family and friends, and fishing especially in Canada. He was active in many organizations including the Experimental Aircraft Association, of which he was member #437, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. George was also active in scouting, serving as a Sea Scout and Air Scout leader for many years. He taught many young men the elements of flying and established life long friendships with them. George and his wife Mary moved to the Seattle area in 1972, where they retired to design seaplanes, build experimental aircraft and rebuild vintage aircraft. He will be missed by all.

(Ed. Note: Mr. Mojonnier's newsletters are on the Newsletters page. It is obvious from reading them that Mr. Mojonnier was a maticulous, knowledgeable gentleman that truly loved the Republic Seabee. We can only hope that he passed along all he knew to someone. We know he passed along his passion.)

Mr. JOHN HOOPER

It is only fitting that we have John Hooper (old 'Hoop') on this honorarium page as the originator of the online version of "The International Republic Seabee Owners Club". During the past five years or so, the club has provided a valuable way for Seabee Owners, from all over the world, to exchange and sell airplanes, parts, service information, news and locate answers to problems by sharing experiences. John was a co-owner and operator of an airport at Saginaw, Michigan and an authorized dealer for the Seabee. One of his customers and friend was a Jason K. Downer who was authorized by the FAA to build Seabees at his Bellanca factory in St. Paul, Minnesota, but never built a one. John started the website out of interest in and high regard for the Bee. Thanks John, you have made more Seabee Owners lives a little less complicated than you will ever know. You will always be a part of the "IRSOC". John is still active and will be in close touch with the club.
(Psst...John's e-mail is jphooper@charter.net His new website is http://webpages.charter.net/awebsite/index.htm. Drop a line to him!)

CAPT. RICHARD SANDERS

Capt. Richard Sanders was the originator of "The Seabee Club International Newsletter" The first volume was published April 1984 and appealed to Bee Owners to share their experiences flying his "favorite wind-wagon". At that time, Capt. Sanders was southern director for the "Seaplane Pilots Association" and longtime pilot for "Central Airlines" and its successor "Frontier Airlines".

LT. BILL WESCHE, Jr

Bill served as a B-17 command pilot in WW-2, and completed 18 combat missions flying out of Foggia Italy prior to the ending of the war. Upon returning to Farmingdale L.I., he became a control tower operator for Republic Aviation Corp. A bit later Republic Aviation started production of the Seabee and Bill became a test pilot for the company. During this time Chuck Yeager (famous WW-2 ace and first pilot to break the sound barrier) was a military test pilot attached to Republic and he and Bill became good friends. During the period September 1946 to June 1947, Bill's job was to take a freshly minted Seabee from the assembly line and put it through its paces and ultimately declared it air/sea worthy. Between test flights he would demonstrate Seabees to potential customers and if a sale was made, Bill would give flight instruction on the Bee to the buyer. He left Republic with the demise of the Seabee project and became a CAA control tower operator at New York's Idlewild Airport (now Kennedy).

DONN BOOTH

DONN was one of the two enthusiastic and longtime Seabee owners that suggested and encouraged the origin of the IRSOC. He has contributed Seabee historical information and generously supplied, both me and other members, with his vast technical knowledge gained over many years of Seabee piloting, repairing and ownership. See "Members B" for more about Charter-Member Donn Booth.

GUY CAZORT

Guy, a Charter-Member, was the other Seabee Owner that had an important part in the origin of the "IRSOC". Owner of a Seabee, Twin Cessna and a Stinson. Guy has had a great aviation background. For anyone contemplating buying a Seabee, I would suggest reading "Cazort Buys A Bee" Webpage and observe the many caveats and pitfalls of buying a fifty year old plane that he describes with facts and a bit of humor. The piece is excellently written. Guy has been a great help to other members with his vast store of Bee knowledge and expertise.

AA PILOT NORRIS "ANDY" SHANE

"ANDY" was one of the IRSOC's earliest members and involved in rebuilding a Seabee that proved to be a bigger job than planned. It remains, begging attention while "ANDY" builds a new home, hangar and runway. However, during this busy time "ANDY" still manages to fly international routes for American Airlines. CONGRATULATIONS "ANDY" and thanks for all the help you have accorded the IRSOC and many of its members. Try ANDY's great website.

HENRY RUZAKOWSKI

Henry (Mr Seabee) has owned and worked on more Seabees than any other "Seabee Club" member. Due to the fact that his father worked on the "Seabee Project" at the Republic Aircraft Corp, Farmingdale, N. Y. he was exposed to Seabees, at an early age. Henry, who has developed many STCs has, generously, made his invaluable experience available to many of our members. We are fortunate, indeed, to have the benefit of his advice and guidance.

AA CAPT. RET. JAMES POEL For the past two years or more Jim Poel has contributed many valuable services to the Seabee Owners Club and its members. Recently he provided housing for a member from South Africa while giving him instruction on the Seabee. His knowledge and experience was demonstrated by his article in the Sept/Oct, 2000 issue of the SPA Magazine "Water Flying" titled "A Plane For All Occasions" and should be read by all Seabee Owners. Jim also has contributed regularly to "Hangar News".

DELTA CAPT. RET. "JOE" McHUGH

Joe has flown and modified Seabees for the past 25 years and is the owner of "Simuflight STCs" in Kent, Washington. His Seabee STCs are too numerous to mention but you may read a partial list on the "Services" page and elsewhere on the website. His customers all testify as to the quality and usefulness of his products in the upgrading and restoration of Seabees.
On June 17, 2003, Joe McHugh was killed in a Seabee accident in Yelm, Washington. We will all miss him.

DAVID REEVE

David Reeve is currently Svc-Operations of Midwest Express Airlines and also serves as Board Chairman of Skway Airlines. Dave has always been ready with invaluable information on the RC-3 when needed. He has, generously, shared his vast experience with owning, operating and updating his Seabee with Seabee Club members.