2014 NAMBA Nationals – District 8 – Marysville, Washington
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REFLECTIONS ON THE NAMBA HALL OF FAME
Jerry Dunlap, NAMBA Hall of Fame Chairperson
Being a member of NAMBA’s Hall of Fame is a great honor. As a Hall of Fame member since 1982, I believe it
is my greatest model boating achievement. That it was awarded 32 years ago and I am still actively engaged in
radio control model boating makes it all the more meaningful. When I accepted the position of Hall of Fame
Chairperson two years ago I assisted in updating the information regarding the Hall of Fame for the NAMBA
website. Since a historical account is readily available on the NAMBA website, what follows is personal account of
my interactions with a few Hall of Fame members who are no longer with us. Obviously I’ve had numerous
occasions to interact with Hall of Fame members who continue to participate in our hobby.
Myrtle “Mom” Coad was NAMBA’s first Executive Secretary. Nobody called her Myrtle and with her white
hair, “Mom” just seemed to be the right name. Her ability to provide site insurance for model boaters in
California in the mid-1960s was the basis for the eventual formation of NAMBA. But, that’s historical. My
favorite remembrance of “Mom” was at the 1980 NAMBA Nationals conducted at Lake Waughop, Ft. Steilacoom
Park, in Lakewood. This race site is approximately 70 miles south of the 2014 NAMBA Nationals site. One of the
special events following a day of racing was a challenge slow pitch softball game between District 8 and District
9(before there was a District 19). “Mom” more than tossed out the first ceremonial pitch, she actually pitched
the first inning for District 9 and batted. Well, maybe attempted to bat would be more accurate. I don’t know
how old “Mom” was in 1980, but I think it was the “early 80s.”
My favorite racing couple was Pat and Charlie Pottol. I first met Pat and Charlie at the 1969 IMPBA in San
Diego. They had a room a few doors down from us on the second floor. One evening while wandering down the
walkway I saw Charlie sitting on the floor of his room filing on a rudder blade with a course hand file. Muttering
somewhat profanely Charlie was saying he could build a better rudder assembly. Charlie was a master tool and
die maker and owned a tool and die making company in the East Bay area. He did more than just complain, he
started Marine Specialties. Marine Specialties made all types of cast aluminum hardware parts. Pat was a most
gracious lady. She raced an English design mono hull called “Pattie’s Flattie.” Along with future Hall of Fame
member, John Brodbeck, I spent a September weekend in 1976 as guest of the Pottols for the first ever model
outboard race conducted at Lake Speckles in Gold Gate Park. Upon returning to their Saratoga home after the
first day of racing, I began complaining about the officiating provided by the host club – the San Francisco Model
Yacht Club. I can still recall Charlie’s sage advice, “Jerry, when someone invites you to dinner it is not polite to
complain about the food.”
“Smiling” Jack Garcia was very influential in encouraging my interest in designing, building, and racing model
tunnel boats. Jack won the 1980 and 1981 NAMBA A Stock Tunnel National Championships. Jack’s “Killer” model
tunnel designs captured regional and national championships. Jack would willingly share design and set up ideas
to help promote model tunnel boat competition. Although she didn’t race, Jack’s wife Rosie, was always with him.
Rosie was such an appropriate name because she really did have a rosy personality. I cannot remember ever
beating Jack in a model tunnel boat race. I last saw Jack at the 2009 World Outboard Championships in
Charleston, SC. He was in a wheel chair and Rosie was right by his side. We probably spent a couple of hours
reminiscing about “back in the day” model tunnel boats.
Gary Johnson was NAMBA’s first president and one of the five NAMBA members inducted into the Hall of
Fame in 1981. The 1969 IMPBA San Diego Internats was also the place where I first met Gary. He was a member