Friends Passing This Week in California - Gene Winkler, Les King

USA Region 12 members might like to know of the passing of two good friends to soaring this week.

Gene Winkler of Santa Barbara left three children and a legacy of service to soaring. Gene built his home, homes or additions for others, and rebuilt various mechanical things, gliders, winches and towplanes included. His generosity to soaring continued into late summer, serving as a Designated Pilot Examiner in both the Van Nuys and Riverside FSDO districts. He supported the creation or continuance of many soaring sites through decades of duty as a CFIG. Gene was regularly seen at Santa Ynez, Cal City, Crystalaire, El Mirage, Krey, Mountain Valley, Rosamond, Adelanto/Hamm Field, Hemet and Lake Elsinore soaring sites. 1940-2015.
Services Monday December 14, 2015 at 11 am at Santa Barbara Cemetery.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/new...&pid=176867162

Les King of Tehachapi is survived by his wife Marilyn. Les was an avid fan of all things flying, from footlaunched full-size to hand-launched models to microlite kit built possibilities, and always had something on his drawing board. Les was a contributor across decades to the Experimental Soaring Assn. from its SHA inception. More recently he filed patent rights on wind energy technology, and enjoyed the camaraderie of friends and builders on the Mountain Valley Airport. Passed December 11, in Bakersfield, CA.


I wish both families the peace of knowing these gentlemen lived long, productive, rewarding lives, and will be remembered by many friends in soaring.

Cindy B
Region 12 Director