Sparky Wessels in Remembrance

Sparky will be remembered by all of us for his flair for flying and his dedication to the Springfield RC Club. He was a board member for many years and a CD for numerous events. He carried on for his dad by continuing to CD the "Doc Wessels Memorial Float Fly" that has been held for nearly two decades at Lake Springfield. Sparky was a wheeler and dealer in the nicest sense of the word, trying to promote trades, swap meets and simple, general interest in flying. He always had a new plane and we delighted in having him at the field on the line. With Sparky there was never a dull moment from taking care of raffles at the monthly meetings to greeting everyone at the field with a slap on the shoulder and a hearty welcome. His field box was the epitome of a treasure chest which he quickly shared with anyone in need. You would see his delivery truck all over, especially at Sleeth's Hobby Shop in the mornings. His routes carried him to Monet and his truck was routinely sighted along HY 60. He was at the field whenever he could be there and was always at the Chili Fly, the club's first event of the year. He cooked, painted (he was a professional painter), and was a great help in maintaining the field taking on any and all jobs. He flew the hottest planes and put them through their paces. He and Doc Wessels were a fixture at the flying field, and with Doc's passing, Sparky took over and became a fixture. Both past and present club members will miss his laughter, and his flying. From a member who knew him for the past 25+ years at the field he will be missed.

Russ Rhodes