Few people know that in WW2 Vern was on the submarine that snuck into
not one but two enemy harbors in Japan and I believe Guam to spy on
the Japanese fleet. Upon leaving the harbor, they shoot a torpedo at a
Japanese ship and sank it in the harbor, there were truly "Daring
Young Men"

Vern grew up in a soaring family and built a two place glider that he
ultimately bought back from the widow of the man he sold it to in the
'70s. He was an A&P and also overhauled many of the gliders of the
Antelope Valley Soaring Club, as well as several 1-26's, including my
#366, Miss Betty. He was always a warm and generous man that freely
gave his time to help others with their metal aircraft (no FG for
him!).

He will be missed greatly and I will keep fond memories of him and my
father flying the Mojave together, including BOTH of them getting lost
on a retrieve from the hills south of Baker, CA, and both of them
spending the night in the desert, only to find they were within 1/4
mile of each other in the morning!

When he was helping my Dad get his Silver distance, he even acted as
a flight deck landing officer and directed Marv to land in the middle
of a lettuce field near Barstow, they made the front page of the
Barstow paper that week! Of course who can forget his coming in low at
Elmira (I think) and landing in a tree just short of the runway! Only
a 1-26 driver can do that!

Rest in Peace, Vern, it was a great life.

Wayne