By Dave Kujawa, Editor, Sport Aerobatics
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Glenn Edward Frick, IAC Director and retired Air Force Colonel, passed away on May 16, due to complications from leukemia. He was 66. He is survived by his wife, Gracie Ann Frick, children, Steve E. Frick, Karin, L. Floyd, N. Mark Frick and Robin K. Frick; six grandchildren; and brothers, Norman and David Frick. Glenn retired from the U.S. Air Force after 28 years of duty. He flew three tours in Vietnam and was a commander at the Air Force’s Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Glenn served the IAC in many capacities including national judge, tech inspector and contest director of the 1998 U.S. National Aerobatic Championships. He represented the United States in 1997, 1999 and 2000 at the Advanced World Aerobatic Championships, serving as captain of the Advanced Team in 1999. Glenn’s energetic and creative attitude, coupled with his many years of hands-on management experience and aerobatic operations, helped carry the IAC into the 21st century. |
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Several of Glenn’s friends shared personal thoughts and memories.
"From the contests I attended over the last few years where Glenn came to play, and from my interactions with him in his role as director for the south central area, it was obvious that he truly loved this sport. My recollection will be that he talked straight and flew hard. He will be sorely missed, not just for his efforts to further the goals of the IAC, but for the fun and camaraderie he brought to all of the activities he participated in. Keep on tap dancing Glenn…."
Jeffery Poehlmann, President, IAC Chapter 107
"He loved the sport, the people, the airplanes… everything about it. It was a privilege to have flown with him and one of the nicest gifts in life to have enjoyed the hospitality of Glenn and Gracie. I keep getting an image in my mind of Don Ortt, Doc Harvey, Max Moore and Glenn sitting together and having a cup of Don's unique coffee (or a very old Coors)."
Gary Henry
"If you’ve been around this sport for any length of time, you’ve met Glenn. He was a real stand up guy. Glenn was always willing to lend a hand and to work full speed ahead on whatever assignment he was given. He was a traditionalist, but he was not opposed to change, especially change to help advance the sport of aerobatics."
Bill Marcellus
"I met Glenn in the Czech Republic at the Advanced World Championships in 1999. He was a member of the U.S. Team, frustrated at being unable to compete due to a lack of an aircraft. However, he joined us on the judging line and was an enormous help to me, acting as my assistant for several days. His ever-present good humour and fund of anecdotes from his rich and full life kept all our spirits up. I am pleased to say that I have a photograph of the U.S. Team for 2000 before me, with Glenn helping to hold aloft the British flag, which was ‘borrowed’, and which he ensured was returned to us. Our sincere condolences go out to Gracie and to the United States aerobatic community who have lost a great champion of our cause."
Ben Ellis
Chair, British Aerobatic Association
Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, May 19, at his Airport (Aresti Aerodome) in Godley, Texas, at 4 p.m. There will be a military fly-by at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia Foundation. In Glenn’s memory, the IAC will engrave Glenn’s inscription on the EAA Memorial Wall on the EAA grounds in Oshkosh
