Condolences for Fred Coblentz
1940-2023
EAA Chapter 846 members would like to express their condolences to the family and friends of Fredrick Paul Coblentz. Fred was one of the founding members of our Chapter and a dedicated leader holding the positions of President, Treasurer and Secretary at various times. He and his wife, Edilene, were fixtures at our chapter meetings, sometimes even hosting meetings, with Fred happily giving a tour of his latest project. Fred built or restored 6 airplanes and was generous with his knowledge and advice with other aircraft builders. He enjoyed participating in EAA's Young Eagles program, introducing 101 area young people to aviation one at a time in his two-seat Bushby Mustang II.
Memorial Services will be Thursday, Aug. 31st at 11:00 a.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston with burial following at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. until time of services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110 or to the Parkinson Foundation of Northeast Ohio, PO Box 31907, Independence, OH 44131. Fred's obituary can be found here.
Memorial Bob and Pete
We had a Celebration of Life November 13, 2021 for members Bob Taylor and Pete Klapp at the Chapter Hangar. Bob and Pete perished in separate aircraft accidents in September. The Celebration was well-attended and everyone was well-fed, compliments of Chef David Gerdeman, Greg Cantrell, and others who did the cooking. Many thanks to everyone for attending. I’m sure that Pete and Bob would have enjoyed this event. We will miss you guys and always remember you!
Remembering Bob
1957-2021
It is with a sad heart to write that our dear friend Bob Taylor was taken from us September 18, 2021. Bob was a good friend to many of us and to the chapter. He served for many years as an officer and a board member of chapter 846, joining the chapter in 2009. Bob was responsible for the chapter receiving its IRS tax-exempt status. He was an active homebuilder as he completed two experimental aircraft during the past ten years, a TigerCub and a Rans S-20. He was always willing to help the chapter during our events, as well as anyone with an aircraft maintenance problem.
The obituary can be found here. The chapter passed on our condolences to the family. Bob will be sorely missed by everyone.
Remembering Pete Klapp
1947-2021
It’s with a sad heart to write that our friend and chapter member Pete Klapp has been taken from us this past week. Pete was a dear friend to many of us, past vice president of chapter 846 and selected chapter MVP in 2018.
You can find Pete’s obituary here.
“A Tribute” by Randy Brooks
I’ll miss you, Pete.
I’ll miss our lunches at Buehler’s. I’ll miss your ever-present coffee mug—and you leaving it at my hangar on many occasions. I’ll miss your expertise in construction, engineering, electrical work, composites—you were one smart dude. I’ll miss you always being there to help if you had the time. I’ll miss you helping me rib stitch the Cub wing. I’ll miss you helping me sheetrock and insulate my hangar. I’ll miss you saying ‘Love You’ every time you hung up the phone with your family. I’ll miss you talking with such fondness about your kids and grand-kids—the munchkins. I’ll miss our telling war stories (mostly lies) from our mutual time serving in the Air Force. I’ll miss you calling me Ellwood on the phone—and me calling you Martha. I’ll miss your total dedication to finishing the Falco and getting it inspected after your friend Kyle’s passing.
My sincere condolences to Pete’s family at this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Most of all, I’ll miss you my friend. Fly West--- (if you get your GPS working).
We will all miss you, Pete. We will remember you and your many contributions to the Chapter. You were always there to lend a hand or give an honest opinion. Our deepest sympathy to your family.
