by Dave Weiman
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine October/November 2022 Digital Issue
(L/R) Tom Poberezny welcomed Dave Weiman to the EAA Aviation Museum in 1983, which was under construction at the time, and which would eventually become the Poberezny family’s legacy.
Former EAA President and Chairman, Tom Poberezny, 75, passed away the morning of July 25, 2022, the opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, an event he chaired for 36 years (1976-2011). Unfortunately, most members and patrons who walked through the gates that day were not even aware of Tom’s passing, or of his many contributions and accomplishments in aviation that helped make their special day possible, and knowing Tom, he would not want his passing to ruin their day. That’s not what Tom worked so hard for all those many years. Just the opposite. As Chairman of EAA and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Tom wanted people to enjoy the event, whether that was in attending the hundreds of forums, viewing the thousands of aircraft on display, visiting exhibitors, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, or being entertained at the daily airshows and evening events.
Let us not ever forget that it was Tom Poberezny who spearheaded the construction of the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1983, and whose leadership skills helped to bring EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to world prominence. It was also Tom Poberezny who founded EAA’s Young Eagles Program, introducing millions of young people to aviation.
Tom and his father, EAA Founder Paul Poberezny, were supportive of Midwest Flyer Magazine (then Wisconsin Flyer) from the get-go in 1978. Thanks to Tom, we were later welcomed to the airshow entertainment industry as publishers, and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh became the forum we used each year to recognize airshow professionals and others for their contributions and accomplishments.
Tom’s aviation career included national and world aerobatic competition, and he was a member of the famed Eagles Aerobatic Team for their entire 25 years (1979 to 1995), along with Gene Soucy and the late Charlie Hillard.
It is hoped that steps will be taken soon to ensure that Tom’s contributions to EAA and general aviation are recognized in the EAA Museum, more than they are today.
RIP Tom and thank you for all you did for general aviation, and for us personally.
