Farewell, Friend--Frank Garcher: 1928-1999

Model Airplane News, Sep 1999 by Chianelli, Chris

Frank Garcher: 1928-1999

On May 22, Frank Garcher, president of Midwest Products, passed away. Besides helping to build our wonderful hobby and serving as president of one of the most venerable hobby companies (Midwest was established in 1951), this influential personality was a friend to all. Of my friend, I can say only this: he was one of the happiest and kindest individuals I've ever known.

I met Frank at the first hobby show I ever attended, in Pasadena, CA, in 1983. I knew no one and was very nervous. Frank and Carl Goldberg made me feel both comfortable and included by graciously introducing me to many of the industry's more notable individuals.

Frank's philosophy was "Enjoy life to the fullest." Whenever I arrived at a show and saw Frank, I knew instantly that fun was very close at hand. Many years ago, when I arrived at the convention center for the very first Chicago Hobby Show, I was startled out of my jet lag when Frank-all 6 feet, 5 inches of him-jumped out from behind a support column with a loud "GOTCHA!" At the last Chicago show, I was hitching rides on Frank's Little Rascal electric scooter.

It didn't matter where the piano bar was: Nuremberg, Germany; Florianopolis, Brazil, or good ol' Chicago; Frank would sing us a song-and we'd listen.

Frank always used to say, "Now I ask you, who has more fun than people?" One thing is certain: people had fun-and felt a little better about themselves-when Frank Garcher was around. Thank you, Frank. You-we will miss.