The 2025 Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Banquet was held April 12 at the Mystic Lake Center, Minnetonka Ballroom in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Inductees included AOPA President Mark R. Baker, Astronaut and NASA Associate Administrator Robert D. Cabana, Minnesota Pilots Association Cofounder Randle S. Corfman, Author James C. Goodall of the Minnesota Air Guard Museum, Clarence J. Krotz of Grand Marais Municipal Airport, Amanda Lee of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and World War I fighter pilot and National Air Derby recordholder, Nick Mamer.
Randle S. Corfman: Aviation Medical Examiner. Led the effort to create the Minnesota Pilots Association, an organization which promotes aviation through advocacy, education, outreach and social activities.
Mark R. Baker: President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. An advocate and champion of causes for General Aviation throughout the United States.
Robert D. Cabana: United States Marine Aviator and NASA Astronaut. Flew four Space Shuttle missions, one of which was to begin assembly of the International Space Station.
James C. Goodall: A founding member of the Minnesota Air Guard Museum. Historian, photographer and author who has written over 29 books.
Amanda M. Lee: Naval Aviator and fighter pilot flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The first woman demonstration pilot with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in the team’s 78-year history.
Clarence J. Krotz: A WWII bomber pilot, flying the B-26. Built the Skyport Lodge in Grand Marais. A leader in aviation in remote northern Minnesota.
Nicholas Bernard Mamer: An aviation pioneer, barnstormer, air mail service pilot, air race pilot, and Northwest Airways pilot. He developed the major route to the Pacific Northwest from Minnesota.
Emceeing the program was Al Malmberg of the World of Aviation radio program.
Receiving the “Best Aviation Writing by a Minnesotan Award” was Lt Col. (Ret) Lowell Ueland, Brig. Gen. Greg Haase, Tech Sgt Amy Lovgren, Chief Master Sgt Kristin Von Eschen, and Chief Master Sgt (Ret) Bruce Graham for the book “Century in the Sky” — a rich history of the 133rd Airlift Wing.
The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Art Award for 2025 went to Mark Naumann of Lakeville, Minnesota.
Among the many scholarships presented was the “Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Scholarship” presented to Kathleen Thompson, Jax Jamar, and Raphael Uhlenkott.
Receiving the “Stevan R. Petrich Memorial Aviation Scholarship” was Noelle Chanslor.
Receiving the “Hinz Family Red Tail Scholarship” was Vanessa Sampson.
Receiving the “Randy Sohn Family Memorial Fellowship of Aviation Scholarship” was Taylor Storkamp.
Receiving the “Chuck & Jody Bartlett Wings of Success Aviation Scholarship” was Eric Rohlfing.
Receiving the “Brig. Gen. George Schulstad Scholarship” was William Junker.
Receiving the “AirCorps Aviation Scholarship” was Samuel Joque.
Receiving the “Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship,” sponsored by Academy College in Bloomington, Minnesota, in memory of aviation television host and publisher, Sherm Booen, was Raphael Uhlenkott and Joshua Hosek.
The Chair of the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is Brandon Montanye. Cheri Rohlfing is Vice Chair, Carol Cansdale is Secretary, and Amelia Halstad is Treasurer.
Other board members include Noel Allard, Mary Alverson, Randy Corfman, Janelle Gates, Jim Hanson, Tim Hennagir, Tom Lymburn, and Barb Wiley-Lindquist. Alternates include Tim Barzen, Stan Ross, Tom Schellinger, Michelle Thiem, and Adam AbouAish. Ethan Swanson is the Junior Board Member (www.MAHOF.org).
