Honoring a Long-Time Modeler

Kim Wed Sep 19, 2018 2:03 pm

Thought I'd copy this from a Facebook Note I did for one of our long-time flyers who has started many fledgling R/C'rs and also builds some pretty mean Peanut Gum-Banders too!
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Honoring our buddy, Herb Prater!

We were supposed to have a "Guest of Honor" presentation with long-time modeler Herb Prater at our Popeye Fun-Fly two weeks ago, but Herb suffered some serious injuries in a lawn mower accident.

Luckily, he is recovering nicely, so Steven Jany, Billy Lang, and I traveled to his home in Thebes, Illinois yesterday to present him with a plaque, skillfully created by Billy.

We had a great visit, and learned a bit more about the guy who has helped start so many new R/C Flyers.

Herb is 88 years old, served two tours in the Korean War, and worked cutting timber in early civilian life. He has 5 kids, 12 Grandkids, 15 Great-Grandkids, and 1 Great-Great-Grandkid! (Man, I hope I got that right!)

At 9 years old, he was flying a rubber band model in a pasture near his home, when the pilot of a Piper Cub landed with a sick passenger. This incident further cemented the love of aviation that goes on to this day.

He still builds rubber-powered "Peanut Scale" models on a work table in front of a large window that provides him with plenty of light while also letting him keep tabs on the neighborhood.

His immediate goals are to continue to recover, and attend the "Breezy Hill Frozen Finger Fly-In" and the New Year's Day Fun-Fly at Cairo.

A great visit with a great, positive guy, and we wish Herb a fast recovery and return to his pursuits!!!

Forgot to mention that we are ALSO looking forward to Herb's trademark Cheese Cake that he brings !!!
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FlipStart Wed Sep 19, 2018 5:11 pm

What a great thing to do for a man who has been so helpful and an inspiration in the hobby. Clapping

Nice job on the plaque Billy Thumbs Up

I think Herb should be getting help with the mowing chores from now on though.
I had a friend in high school who lost a big toe just mowing their little front yard. They may have been able to sew it back on but would have had to extract it from his German Sheppard's stomach first.
He still played football in high school though.

Kim Thu Sep 20, 2018 6:27 am

FlipStart wrote:What a great thing to do for a man who has been so helpful and an inspiration in the hobby.

Nice job on the plaque Billy

I think Herb should be getting help with the mowing chores from now on though.

Yeah, he has lots of family that are probably now gonna put pressure on him to back off the mowing.

Sort of like my Uncle Wayne, mowing was one of his "chores" that he could still do on his own. Ironically, the accident didn't happen in his yard, but a fairly steep bank on state property next to his house. I'm sure he'll be monitored more closely from now on.

rsv1cox Thu Sep 20, 2018 6:35 am

Great story Kim, thanks for sharing.

Herb's still pushing a mower at 88. Way to go Herb. Never give out, never give in.

Bob

Kim Thu Sep 20, 2018 6:46 am

rsv1cox wrote:Great story Kim, thanks for sharing.

Herb's still pushing a mower at 88. Way to go Herb. Never give out, never give in.

Bob

This was actually on a lawn tractor that tumbled backwards on Herb when he missed getting it in gear, and rolled backwards down the bank. He was trapped under it for around twenty minutes with 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken collar bone, twisted ankle, and had the skin torn from the top of his right hand!

His first comment to me when I visited him in ICU was that he was lucky to be in the part of the hospital where all the pretty nurses worked! The dude is tough!

Here's Herb in action on New Year's Day 2004:

getback Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:41 am

That's a Great thing you guys did and a understatement the guy is tough , Damn I would want that to happen to me at 61 !! Yes tell Billy the Plaque looks really good and Get well soon Herb !! Thanks for sharing Kim . RC Plane

rsv1cox Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:07 pm

Kim wrote:
rsv1cox wrote:Great story Kim, thanks for sharing.

Herb's still pushing a mower at 88. Way to go Herb. Never give out, never give in.

Bob

This was actually on a lawn tractor that tumbled backwards on Herb when he missed getting it in gear, and rolled backwards down the bank. He was trapped under it for around twenty minutes with 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken collar bone, twisted ankle, and had the skin torn from the top of his right hand!

I was wondering about that Kim but his picture shows him looking pretty good. Having a heavy tractor tumble on him would be no fun.

When I moved in here and mowed the lawn for the first time I almost did the same thing. The previous owner left his John Deere Z-225 where all the weight is in the rear. I attempted to mow up hill at about a 35% grade and I almost lost it when the nose came up close to vertical. Never did that again.

FlipStart Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:23 pm

Kim wrote:
rsv1cox wrote:Great story Kim, thanks for sharing.

Herb's still pushing a mower at 88. Way to go Herb. Never give out, never give in.

Bob

This was actually on a lawn tractor that tumbled backwards on Herb when he missed getting it in gear, and rolled backwards down the bank. He was trapped under it for around twenty minutes with 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken collar bone, twisted ankle, and had the skin torn from the top of his right hand!

His first comment to me when I visited him in ICU was that he was lucky to be in the part of the hospital where all the pretty nurses worked! The dude is tough!

Here's Herb in action on New Year's Day 2004:

Is that an actual Jensen Ugly Stick Herb is flying. Maybe a Sweet Stick?

**RknRusty** Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:20 pm

Get Well, Herb!

At Fort Jackson we have a big Deer a couple of sizes larger than the one pictured above. It has a roll bar and a seat belt. And, I'll tell you what, you better buckle up or it will toss you off in a heartbeat. And I swear it feels like it will do 45 mph... I'm sure it's not really, but it goes scary fast, and if you tell it to snap a 90 degree turn at full speed, well hang on tight. It took me some practice to learn to steer it and back it up the ramps into the Conex box. Lol, Wayne always asks me to back it in. He won't admit it but I think he might be afraid of running it off the ramps. I'm glad there's something I can do better than him.

Kim Thu Sep 20, 2018 3:01 pm

FlipStart wrote:

Is that an actual Jensen Ugly Stick Herb is flying. Maybe a Sweet Stick?

Don't know for sure, but I'll ask him the next time it visit.

Kim Thu Sep 20, 2018 3:06 pm

rsv1cox wrote:

I was wondering about that Kim but his picture shows him looking pretty good. Having a heavy tractor tumble on him would be no fun.

He looked good in the ICU! I figured his age played a part in the extra care, and was shocked when I heard about all his injuries. He was a little doped-up maybe, but still our Herb! They made'm tough back in the 1930's!

roddie Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:15 pm

Thanks Kim; for covering Herb's story! You, Billy and Steve are good guys to visit him.. and "thank you" Mr. Prater for your serving our country.

"He still builds rubber-powered "Peanut Scale" models on a work table in front of a large window that provides him with plenty of light while also letting him keep tabs on the neighborhood."

I can only hope to continue enjoying this hobby at your age sir.. Thumbs Up

Wishing for you; a full recovery.. and some calm weather to fly your creations!

Kim Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:18 pm

Thanks Roddie! I'll print your note and past it on to Herb !

MauricioB Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:36 pm

Hello Kim and his colleagues, I want to express my congratulations for this attitude. It fills me with pride that the people who contribute and dedicate with passion to something in life are recognized and honored.
My right hand And of heart, for all of you! Hand Shake

Kim Fri Sep 21, 2018 2:59 am

MauricioB wrote:Hello Kim and his colleagues, I want to express my congratulations for this attitude. It fills me with pride that the people who contribute and dedicate with passion to something in life are recognized and honored.
My right hand And of heart, for all of you!

Thank you Mauricio !

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