Myrtle "Mom" Coad
– Inducted 1981
Mom Coad started model boating in 1943, and ran her first R/C boat
in 1959. Her real value to NAMBA was the hundreds of unselfish
hours spent in the creation, administration, and operation as the
Executive Secretary to the organization from 1971 to 1988. During
that time, she was truly the backbone and conscience of NAMBA. She
is also a member of the Hall of Fame of the Academy of Model
Aeronautics.
Donald C. Coad
- Inducted 1981
Don ran his first R/C boat on Lake Merritt in 1931. Radios were
scratch built in those days. He helped start the Richmond Model Boat
Club in the 1950's, and was President of WAM in 1959 and 1960. Don
spent countless hours helping his wife, Mom Coad, with the
administrative functions of NAMBA for over 17 years. Don was also
responsible for the die work on the NAMBA pins, and manufactured
and engraved the beautiful brass record shields for many years.
Gary L. Johnson
– Inducted 1981
Gary was the President of seven different model boating clubs, starting
in 1953. He was active in power, sail, and scale model boating, and
was a Contest Director for over 100 model boating events. Gary
served as NAMBA's first President from 1971 to 1973, and again from
1987 to 1989. He designed over 20 patches for various regattas, and
his organizational leadership gave NAMBA its firm foundation from
the beginning.
Al Metelak
– Inducted 1981
Al started in model boating by operating a retrieve boat at a local
contest in the late 1960's. He became President of the Racing Dolphins
Model Boat Club, and was a NAMBA District Director from 1971 to
1973. He then served as NAMBA President from 1974 to 1980. One
of Al's greatest values to NAMBA was his public relations activities at
the many hobby trade shows throughout the country. He also
represented NAMBA at FCC frequency meetings to make sure that
model boating was not forgotten.
