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Bill Wahler
Bill has been a valued member and hard working volunteer ever since he retired from his most
recent form of employment as night Line Manager at F.I.T. Aviation in Melbourne FL. He was born in
Astoria, Borough of Queens, New York City. He joined the NAVY to see the world from 1959-1962,
Naval Air Station, Key West,Florida, Naval Air Facility, Sigonella, Sicily. Aviation Structural Mechanic,
(Hydraulics), 3rd.Class Petty Officer. Plane Captain, Flight Mechanic, Flight Engineer, R4D-8,(DC-3),
R5D,(DC-4), UF-2 (Grumman Albatross). He was also a law officer with the Nassau County Police
Dept from 1968-1988. He has lived in Palm Bay with his wife Jean since 1993. ( Jean is also an AAF
member and devoted Volunteer) They have two kids..Veronica Leigh, and Bill Jr. Veronica is
currently the AAF webmistress. Bill likes anything to do with round engined aircraft, especially Naval
Aircraft, W W II Aviation history, Oh yeah, and the Fairchild C-123! Bill says that the friends he's
made, and the accomplishments toward restoring the plane to flight status, has been a great
experience for him. Bill's past experience with aircraft hydraulics is an important contribution to our
AAF team. He also serves as our Morale Officer...a job he takes seriously...His easy going nature,
and warm upbeat personality is an inspiration to us all.
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Ed Allen
Ed has been a part of our crew for quite a while now. He works at the Kennedy Space Center and up
until recently, he had the coolest job in the world... that of being part of the crew that operates the
crawler-transporter for the space shuttle! But since the shuttle program is winding down soon, Ed
now works for a different unit as an electronic technician that services the launch pad sound
suppression system. Ed is orignially from Mastic, New York, and served in the US NAVY from
1987-1991 as an Aviation Electricians Mate (AE) on SH-3 helo's and P-3 Orions. He also served Sea
op det U.S.S. America, U.S.S. Eisenhower (Desert Shield), U.S.S. FORESTAL. U.S.S. Navy Reserve
1991-2000. He and his 11 yr old son Matthew live in Titusville, Florida Matthew is an Amature Radio
Operator (KI4LIU) Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan practitioner. Ed is a Private Pilot, and he and his son
Matthew plan to go into the Civil Air Patrol. Ed is a hard worker, and a dedicated volunteer. Everybody
likes Ed. A quality person!
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Mark Davies
Mark joined our ranks as a result of the enthusiasm generated from another one of our volunteers,
Lou Comeau. They work at the same facility, MC Assembly in Palm Bay FL. He hails from Bismarck
North Dakota originally, but now lives in Melbourne, along with his wife Scarlet, and two children
Sharlot, and Cristal. He spent 20 years in the US Marine Corps as an aviation mechanic. He worked
on many different aircarft including the C-130, as a rigging specialist, but he worked on many
aspects of aircraft maintenance and repair. His talents, and his "Can Do' attitude has become a
valuable addition to the AAF. He enjoys working on airplanes and hopes to go for a ride on the C123
when it is complete. He will!
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Michael Veiht
Age: 21, Place of Birth: Marquette, Michigan,
Career Goals: -
Short Term: Flight Instructor at Embry-Riddle-
Long Term: Sitting left seat in a Fed-Ex aircraft of my choice.
(Editor's note:: He's smart... boxes dont complain about bumpy landings!)
Current Career Education Achievements:
- Currently in my senior year at Embry-Riddle. I have been a member of the Embry-Riddle Eagles
flight team for three years. I also moonlight as an Resident Advisor in charge of 30 freshmen.
I have always been fascinated with both history and airplanes since I was four years old. When my
friend Dave told me that he was working with an old airplane with a bunch of other enthusiasts this
spring, I decided to come have a look. I guess I must have enjoyed it or something as I seem to be
compelled to spend my Saturday's in Titusville no matter what I do!
(Editors note: We are glad he feels that way! He and the other Embry Riddle volunteers are a vital
part of our program. They work hard, and can climb, walk, bend, and lift things that the rest of us only
wish we could still do! Ahh... the advantages of youth!)
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Vern Goding
Vern joined our ranks about a year ago, and since then he has become one of the hardest working,
most generous volunteers we have. When we were forced to move our entire operation in less than
30 days in Jan 06, Vern volunteered to engineer and install the electrical system for our tractor tailer
unit that has become our office and workshop. He also donated all the materials too! He is originally
from Toledo OH, and spent time in a variety of states, (confusion, bewilderment among them!) until
he came to Melbourne Village where he now lives. He’s a retired firefighter/Paramedic, Electrician,
computer guru among his talents. He has two children, and Ken his son, has worked with us too.
Vern has also volunteered with other local aviation organizations, and really puts determination into
everything he does. He loves the art of conversation, even when no one else is around…but he
seems to agree with most of the things he says to himself, so its not a problem!
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Kenneth H. Goding
Ken is totally committed to aviation. He is an Embry Riddle graduate, and has his single engine,
multi-engine, Commercial, CFI and CFII ratings. He hopes to gain experience in commercial aircraft
operations, and eventually fly executive jets. He was born in Delray Beach, Fl. But recently moved
from Melbourne to Lakeland to take a new job with a executive charter jet service. He has worked
hard for us over the last several months and will continue to be involved when and as his schedule
permits. Right now, when he's not out chasing young ladies and flying around the state, he's
working hard to get his career rolling. We appreciate Ken's enthusiasm, sense of humor, and hard
work!
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Dave Krochmal
Dave is originally from Silver Spring Maryland. He notes that the C-123s were built an hour away
from there in Hagerstown! This guy is a born Fairchild fan, and his enthusiasm is only outdone by
his sincere love of old airplanes, restoring vintage aircraft, and flying. Dave came to us one day as
he watched thru the fence at TICO airport, while we did a run up of another C-123. He was
welcomed into our organization on the spot! His talents and a new A&P mechanic, and his
willingness to join in, has made Dave a pleasure to work with! He has even helped to get other
Embry-Riddle students interested in the AAF. Dave will always be a valuable asset to the AAF, and a
good friend as well! He eventually hopes to get a flying job, since that is his ultimate career goal, but
he wants to restore vintage aircraft too. He is quite an expert on aviation history, particularly of the
backgrounds of aircraft manufacturers that existed in his home area. (Martin, Fairchild especially)
The following words are Dave's...and they really show the kind of guy he is! "I absolutely love
Volunteering my time to the AAF. I have been looking for a aircraft restoration project to work on for
quite a while and never has any group welcomed me with such open arms as Paul and the rest of
the AAF gang. I truly appreciate the opportunity they give me to put my knowledge as an A&P and
pilot to work on the AAF's Fairchild C-123 Provider. So a big Thank You to everyone out there and I
hope to continue my work with the AAF for years to come."
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Lou Comeau
He summed it up in his own words: "I was born at a very early age at the Hartford Hospital in
Hartford Ct. I muddled thru elementary and high school. Joined Uncle Sam's Air Force In 1960.
Thought that 4 years was enough, so I exited in 1964. I did get some training in radio
communications while there. Also found out how television works. I did get the first AFSC ( Air Force
Service Code ) in closed circuit television. I was a good boy, so I got the Good Conduct Medal. Since
I managed to complete 4 years service, they let me have the Longevity Medal. Currently I am
employed by MC Assembly Inc. in Palm Bay. They assembly electronic circuit boards. I maintain
their telephone communications. I am living? in Cocoa, Fl with my wife of 41 years, Cheryl. We have
4 sons. Louis Jr, in Melbourne, Fl. Computer graphics lay-up. Chris, Lt Col USAF Commander of
909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena AFB Okinawa. Jean Pierre, Computer networks engineer for
JR Families the largest Toyota Distributor in the Southeast. Danny, Recent graduate from Gonzagz
Law School, Spokane Washington and studying for the bar exam." "You might say I always wanted
to work on real airplanes. I have built models for many years. A co worker, Barbara O'Connor thru
casual conversation introduced me to AAF, It was Love at first glance, I've been hooked since. "It Will
Not Be Forgotten", "IT Will Fly""
Louis PS: This is the longest email I EVER sent."
(Lou just became a lifetime member! He is a hard worker, and everyone likes Lou's sense of
humor. We are so lucky to have such people in the AAF! Thanks Lou!)
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Lyle Barney
Lyle has been an outstanding volunteer for several years. He's a retired McDonald-Douglas
aerospace engineer. He's from the Philadelphia area, worked for RCA, Grumman, and McDonald
Douglas over the years. He and his wife Diane live in Melbourne. Lyle usually joins our Saturday
morning volunteer sessions a little later than the rest of us because he needs his beauty rest. "His
usual admonishment to us prior to the weekend volunteer day... "If you get there before me .. go
ahead and get started without me!!". Lyle keeps our tug in good operating condition. Although some
say he's old enough to remember when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, h's a hard working, good
natured, essential part of our team.
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Sue Pierce
Lives in St Petersburg... a long time friend and enthusiastic supporter of the Foundation. She is a
member of the board of directors and serves as the Secretary. She regularly drives over to work on
the airplane, and has helped us to coordinate our formal non-profit applications and accounting
needs. She recently recruited a grant writer and researcher for us. Sue is a tireless worker, and
always fun to be around. She is a very valuable member of our organization.
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Paul Hedtke
Paul has been with our group almost from its beginning. While he was a student at Embry Riddle
Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida, Paul came down nearly every weekend to help.
That was a long time ago...and he's since graduated and moved on with life... He's currently
employed by Gulfstream Aircraft in Savannah Georgia, and in his spare time, he flies for the Georgia
Forrestry Service doing smoke spotting, and also does flight instruction! He is a very hard working
guy...and he will surely achieve his goal of flying corporate jets. He still manages to come down to
TICO to work on the C-123. He's always been a nut...and he's still OUR nut!
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Richard Loveless
Has taken on the most daunting part of the C-123 restoration project.. the complete re-wiring of the
entire cockpit! His skill, hard work, and warm personality make it a pleasure to have him on the
project. He is usually assisted by one of his 6 children, 9 year old Dylan, who has been a very
valuable help to his dad in keeping the airplane clean and organized.
Richard Cop: A long time friend and warbird zealot. Richard's first love is the Collings Foundation's
B-17, Nine-0-Nine, but when possible, he has worked many hours on the C-123. He's a hard
worker...loyal friend, and takes pride in 'Taking the Hill...holding 'till relieved'! His background is in Air
Conditioning, and we hope that someday he can figure out how to install a central air conditioner in
the C-123!
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