Memorial Service Held for Ed Stimpson

A memorial service was held at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington on Dec. 12 for general aviation advocate Ed Stimpson. Stimpson, who devoted his career to promoting the industry, died earlier this month at the age of 75. Approximately 235 attended the Saturday ceremony, including current and former congressmen, two former cabinet secretaries, the current and former FAA administrators, representatives from all the aviation trade organizations and government agencies and countless friends and family. Speakers included NBAA President Ed Bolen, NASM Director Gen. Jack Dailey, the Honorable Norm Dicks, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, the Honorable Norm Mineta, Bill Voss of the Flight Safety Foundation and Cessna Chairman Emeritus Russ Meyer. Stan Green, who founded GAMA and brought Ed on as president in 1971, read the poem "High Flight," and introduced a video showing highlights of Ed's life and service to general aviation throughout his career.