Hi folks,

I know this a crosspost. I posted in the pattern forum because that is where many folks will know Betty, but I also felt I should post in the AMA forum also. Betty was very very active in the AMA and the competion side of modeling for many years. No doubt that some folks that frequent this part of RCU would have had their lives touched by Betty. I apologize for the crossposting. For those that don't know the NSRCA is the Pattern (precision aerobatics) Special Interest group for the AMA.

I just received word from Suzi Frohreich (Stream) that her mom passed away on Friday evening 9-8-06. Betty's passing was not sudden. She had been ill for the last year or so and in the last couple weeks was placed in the care of Hospice. Suzi got to spend some time with her last weekend at her home in Long Beach. So she was with Family and those she loved. Jenny and I since moving to AZ have become very close to both Suzi and Greg in some hard times.


Many in the NSRCA and in the pattern community will miss Betty. A little bio of stuff that I know. Betty was the NATS RC category director for many many years starting back in the mid 70's and running up until the late 80's and early 90's. Those of you who have been to the NATS know the job Al Williamson currently has. Well that was Betty's job for all those years. This was when the NATS was all at one time and traveled the country. The RC Category director is in charge of all the RC stuff, Pylon, Pattern, Scale, Heli's, and so on. In today's environment I think there are a couple of these directors but my understanding was at the time Betty was running the show it was a single person job. In that time her and daughter Suzi ran scoring for USA Team trials (known as the US Masters Tournement), TOC's and possibly even the World Championships in 89'. They were deeply involved with the success of pattern and pylon both on a National level as well as in the Southern California, AZ, NV area. Greg Frohreich and Suzi also ran several Pattern NATS as event director at the time Betty was the R/C Category director. I believe a total of 3 or 4 Pattern NATS were run by the family. Betty and Suzi teamed up to run the NSRCA as we all know the Secretary and Treasurer run the show and do the bulk of the work. Most of us pattern folk only remember Maureen Dunphy in this position and the hours and hours she put into the job, but in the mid 70's till the early 90's Betty and Suzi had this job, with an occasional VP position in there with Greg as well.
We in the modeling community have so many folks that give their time and talents so that we can play with our toy airplanes. Betty was one of these people that gave and gave and gave. This was a super lady and those of us who knew her will surely morn her loss. I'm sure we all wish her God's Speed and Blessing.


For anyone wanting to send Suzi a note please send it to me and I will forward it to her. You can reach me at:

[email protected]

Thanks,

Troy Newman

Thanks Troy for passing this information on to as many as you can. It's always a sobering item when I hear of the passing of another of the pioneers in the growth and development of our sport.

May she rest in peace and may her family find solace and comfort in knowing Betty had so many friends and served so many so well.

betty , i didn't know you but thanks for all your help in bettering a hobby many of us love. GOD speed to you ,ron