WHEN YOU LOOK UP THE WORD DEDICATION IN THE DICTIONARY YOU COME TO AN 8X10 PHOTO OF KARL SPIELMAN

Karl recently finished his term on the board of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, but not before he left his mark on nearly every project that this organization has underway. A founding member of the RAF, Karl was tireless in promoting the idea of preserving backcountry airstrips that serve as gateways to places we all treasure. It was he who coined so many of the phrases that have become part of the jargon we use, as well as the framework for documents that have been created.

Karl was a tireless worker, a dedicated researcher, and a practical thinker who could come up with an idea, devise a plan, and get busy with the implementation. Karl is not one to merely direct traffic, but was also willing to get in and get his hands dirty doing on the ground work.

The RAF will miss his daily involvement, but we know we are a better organization because of him. We appreciate all the time, the effort, the dollars and enthusiasm that he brought our way working on a cause he so thoroughly believed in.

We hope that he flies a bit more, spends a little more time planting trees in Moab with Melinda, and in general enjoys the little bit of extra time that he has.

Karl is the kind of guy that aviation needs more of, and the future will be better because of him.

Thank you Karl for what we know is the most important thing you gave to us–your time.

Good luck and keep the dirty side down.

Your Friends,

All those who fly the backcountry.

Submitted on February 4, 2009.