I just received this email from JWM judge John Roth.
Hello,

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of Roger Shipley’s passing this morning in his home. This was unexpected as he was reading the newspaper in his chair.

I do not have any further information at this time.

John Roth






My condolences go out to Rogers family. I will miss Roger as he always had an encouraging word for me as I would see him at the jet rallies.

I've just read this & am in total shock as I talked to him just a few weeks ago. Such a great man dedicated to his wife Marilyn, and the hobby. Please keep us up to date with any further info.

Jerry Crow

oh terrible news.....terrible

I heard this news earlier today and I am still in shock. I met Roger 5 years ago at JOK, and from the first introduction he made me feel like we were friends for years. The hobby lost a very good man and he will be missed dearly. I will miss the calls from Roger teasing me about being a Desert Rat for living in the high desert and if I bought a Camel yet, or just asking how am I doing and to hear his fishing and canoeing stories. My condolences and prayers go out to his family.

RIP Roger!!

Dirk

Many years ago I was one of those sometimes annoying spectators at a jet event with much enthusiasm and tons of questions. Roger was the first of the jet pilots I met that day and was so very patient with the questions. I didn't know it at the time but I would get to know Roger very well and work with him on numerous jet events. He will be missed greatly!

I have known Roger for 45 years. He was a good friend. We competed in the World Jet Masters in England and took third place in team scale in 1997. We were there the weekend Princess Diana died. Roger and I traveled to jet event throughout the country. We started with ducted fan jets together and moved on to turbine jets together. Roger was funny and quite a prankster but I got a few in myself. I used to build with Roger until I gave Roger to Jerry Bowling for his birthday. I will miss my dear friend and may he fly in heaven without the jets but under the thrust of his own angel wings.
Jimbo

ALL,
Very sad news indeed regarding Roger's passing. He and I worked together in developing many of the IJMC Regulations and the Team Selection process for TEAM USA. Roger was also instrumental in organizing and hosting the successful Jet World Masters event in Dayton, OH several years ago. He will be surely missed.
God speed and fair skies.
Rgds,
Art ARRO
IJMC Judge: USA

My wife Sandy and I are also fortunate to have known Roger for many years and he always greeted us with a smile. He was one of the best in the jet community and dedicated so much of his time to the hobby we all love.

We will miss him very much.

Gary and Sandy Jefferson

This indeed is very sad new, Roger will be missed greatly.

I never met Roger, but admired him as a modeler. His A-10s were awesome machines. My condolences to his family and all those who know him.

I will miss Roger and his good humor ,specially doing the jet meet speeches.

Knock me over with a feather! After only 1 phone call, you felt like you had known each other for decades. RIP Roger!

WOW! For some reason I was just thinking of Roger last night. RIP Roger.

Roger was a good friend and will be greatly missed.Keith and Sherill Yates

Always happy and nice to everyone. May his soul be in heaven like his A-10 was flying high in the air.

So sad to hear this news. Roger was a great friend and helped me get going with my A10. I only made it to Rte 66 a few times but he would always ask me if I was going to make it the next year. Ironically, I sat here today in my Rte 66 A10 Tshirt when I read this news. Rest in Peace.

Dave Dennison

I first met Roger at Winamac back in the DF days, When I showed him my Cox TD .020 powered scratch built F-16. He was the JPO District 6 rep and put a picture of it in Contrails.At that time it was the worlds smallest RC ICE DF.

RIP Roger...................

Roger's kind and generous support will always be remembered, he will be greatly missed!

Barry

Very sad news indeed. I was fortunate to meet him at the World Jet Masters in England, 1997. A true gentleman and a great source of inspiration.

RIP mate.

Jan

I didnt know him ............only by his many contributions in classic jet mags back in the great day's of 1994-too early 2000's.
A great modeller lost-RIP and thanks for being part of those great days.

I first met Roger at the first Super Man and Heart of Ohio jet meets in the late 80's. He always approached the jet hobby with a high level of professionalism. He may not have been the first to fly a true turbine, but he did have great early success in scale events with a BVM T-33 shooting Star painted bright red with a Knight insignia on the side. With this plane, he took third place in the Jet World Masters in 1997. Roger encouraged me to get involved in scale competitions (specifically jets) 20 years ago. He always pushed me harder than I would have pushed myself. For that, I will always be grateful. Rest well my good friend.

Oh, sorry to hear about this very sad new.
RIP, Roger.

Rest in peace Roger. Many good memories of your enthusiasm for the sport and encouraging words.

Wow.

I met Roger at Superman back in the early 00's. This was after seeing him in so many jet videos, so he was kind of a celeb to me. He complimented me on my F-15. This is such sad news after learning of the passing of another great modeler, Don Rice just a few days ago.

RIP

Most of the time I spent with Roger was at Mississippi Afterburner in the early 00s. Always a pleasant guy and always smiling. RIP Roger.....