Don McClave of Portland, Ore., a longtime stunt flier, judge, coach and mentor, died July 4, according to Paul Walker, whom Don had coached on his way to national and world championships in control-line precision aerobatics. Paul had visited Don on Thursday, June 30. Don had been battling the affects of Alzheimer's disease for the past several years.
Don had been a speed flier in his early years and returned to the sport in the late 1970s, focusing on aerobatics. He flew Precision Aerobatics, Classic Stunt and Old-Time Stunt, but he also was known as a tremendous supporter of the control-line hobby. In later years, Don built one new plane each winter and handed on the previous year's plane to some other Northwest flier. In non-modeling life, he was a banker, the director of the Portland Chamber of Commerce and then a fundraiser for Portland State University.
Don is survived by his wife, Chris, and son, Andrew.
Walker reports that Don's family is planning a memorial service for sometime in August. Information will be posted here as it becomes available.
"From Flying Lines"Sad Day for me..Thanks for ALL that you have done for the hobbie..and ME