A few words of respect for Ron Sonderegger. Seeing Ron's pictures at the viewing the other night, and talking to Bob Burnett, I was stunned at Ron's focus and dedication to pattern flying. Ron emodied the spirit of competition. Many times at the field we would discuss strategies, mind games that competitors used, traveling on the contest circuit, the subsequent challenges that posed on our families, and the memories... memories of glory days of pattern in the '70's.

We will miss Ron, his enthusiasm for Pattern flying, and his positive attitude. I remember spraying him with a spray-water bottle to keep him cool enough to fly another round during those hot Arcola August pattern contests we used to have. See, his sweat glands did not function due to a past bicycle injury... and he was wheelchair bound. Then there was the time the transmitter spring came loose during one of his contest flights. You see he had to fly with the palms of his hands, and that was with gloves on too. He had no feel for the plane, all he could do is watch the plane and move his arms in the direction he needed to go. It's remarkable to watch him do slow rolls across the Arcola field.

Ron will be missed. I expressed my sincere gratitude to his wife for supporting him over the years, and his son who gained so much experience from his early modeling days with Ron.

Club announcement below:

Ron Sonderegger passed away in
the early hours of December 12, 2008. Ron was long time NVRC member
having served as president of the Club in the past and was currently an
honorary lifetime member. In his younger years, he was an active
national competition, pattern flier. In the early 2000's he had gone to
the 1/3 scale, 100 cc size aircraft. During his time in the club, Ron
was extremely active and participated in all our fun flys, and after
retirement from the Government, was a daily active flier at the club
field. Ron will be missed by all those that knew him. Ron is survived by
his wife, Katy, his son Dean and two grandchildren.