Gene Wallock

 I just read in Bob Angel’s Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) 26 current newsletter that my close friend and lifelong free flight modeler Gene Wallock passed away in the morning hours of March 11, 2024 at 90 years of age in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was one of the original members in the California SAN VALEERS MODEL AIRPLANE CLUB and a master at free flight modeling.

I got to know Gene while I served on his SAM Plan Approval Committee for a number of years. He was on my distribution list and read and followed all of my construction reports with great interest. Gene and I had many phone conversations and he often provided me with his opinion on my construction problems. I admired Gene so much and treasured his friendship. I want to share below the only pictures I have of Gene Wallock………………..Tandy Walker

Gene was a great guy—with some firm convictions. I knew him from the old SCIFS=SCAMPS dual contest FF days. He was mainly flying rubber models as I knew him in the 80s and 90s.   

 

My favorite memory of him was his recounting of  a conversation he had with a management consultant when Gene was a project manager or group leader in some aerospace company in Southern California.  Apparently Gene didn’t think much of the consultant’s recommendations and or interference with Gene’s team.  Finally (with both Gene and the consultant exasperated) the consultant asked Gene, “What would it take to satisfy you?”

 

Gene’s reply, “Your head on a stake outside my tent in the morning!”   They don’t make many like Gene. 

 

And of course Gene was an absolutely solid contributor to the SAM movement and to model aviation in general. We’ll all miss him.

 

Mike Myers