By Kent Marquardt, EAA Lifetime 330475
To celebrate 50 consecutive years of fly-in conventions in Oshkosh, we’re featuring Stories of Oshkosh told by attendees remembering their special moments at EAA’s long-standing home. If you or someone you know would like to share your own Story of Oshkosh, email editorial@eaa.org.
I have been an EAA member since 1986 and am now a lifetime member. Over the years I have volunteered my time at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh by helping when I’m able at the Main Gate North, Protect Our Planes, and working weekends at the shop.
I am part of the unofficial EAA group the “Oshkosh Irregulars” who have been continuously gathering at EAA since 1986, under the leadership of my dad, Rick Marquardt. We camp in Paul’s Woods each year with about 35 members in attendance from all over the world.
1970 was the first year my brother and I attended and camped along the snow fence of runway 09/27. We were 10 years old. It was our first year to be there after hearing about it through my dad and there was so much to take in! Being 10 years old and going to a week-long event, like Oshkosh, in itself was pretty overwhelming. The things I remember are the warbirds and just sitting in a chair at the snow fence with a transistor radio, and listening to the tower while watching the planes taking off and landing. Back then, commercial flights were still coming into Wittman Regional Airport, so for me sitting there and being able to see my first jetliner that close was pretty cool!
I would say my most memorable moment would be seeing Bob Hoover do aerobatics in his Shrike Commander and in his yellow P-51 Mustang. But, what keeps me coming back year after year is the people. Oshkosh is like a pilgrimage, it’s one of the things my wife and I look forward to every year. I have my Oshkosh friends, and my Oshkosh family, and that is something I would never give up nor would I want to miss.