EAA Chapter 590

History of Experimental Aircraft Association
Local Chapter 590
Yuma, Arizona

Chapter 590 was originally organized in 1977 with 10 Charter Members: Gary Canode (served as the first president), Leon Murray, Bill Stone, John Rohrer, Bob Kramer, George Foster, Robert Smith, Robert Baldwin, Wayne Holland, and Hal Gelman. Of that group only Wayne Holland is an active member of the present chapter.

The chapter became inactive in 1980 but was reactivated in 1989 by Forrest Walgamot and Donald Henderson. They were holding meetings at Hookers Palace, an indoor shooting range. Therole Miller and Jim Gillaspie attended some of those meetings and offered to help get the chapter active again. The meetings were moved to Therole Miller's place and the chapter is still meeting there.

Forrest, Therole, and Jim are current members in the local chapter. Currently (2006) there are approximately 60 members of all ages and stations in life. While most are year-round residents of Yuma several are snow-birds. Most are pilots, many own aircraft ranging from ultralight to twins, several have built their own but all are united in their love for and appreciation of things that fly.

Past and Present Chapter Officers.
YearPresidentVPSecretaryTreasurer
1989Forrest WalgamotCraig McVeighJohn YoukeyTherole Miller
1990Forrest WalgamotCraig McVeighJohn YoukeyTherole Miller
1991Gary CanodeWayne RobinsonJohn YoukeyTherole Miller
1992Gary CanodeWayne RobinsonJohn YoukeyTherole Miller
1993John YoukeyCharles PattersonJohn JohnsonTherole Miller
1994John YoukeyCharles PattersonGeorge OgramBill Thacker
1995Bryan GrimesBob MartinJohn BlanchardBill Thacker
1996Bryan GrimesCharles MarcumValerie GrimesBill Thacker
1997George OgramJohn YoukeyCharles MarcumBill Thacker
1998Wayne HollandJim SiemensCharles MarcumTherole Miller
1999Charles MarcumTherole MillerKen ScottRalph Beckett
2000Charles MarcumTherole MillerJeremy MerrillGeorge Ogram
2001Charles MarcumTherole MillerJohn YoukeyKen Scott
2002Therole MillerPaul RachelsAlbert GardnerBob Ruch
2003Therole MillerPaul RachelsAlbert GardnerBob Ruch
2004Therole MillerPaul RachelsAlbert GardnerRick Smith
2005Paul RachelsAlbert GardnerGreg ErtlRick Smith
2006Paul RachelsAlbert GardnerGreg ErtlRick Smith