Dorchen Forman has Gone West

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Rob Swanland
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Dorchen Forman has Gone West

Post by Rob Swanland »

Sadly we learned today that our longtime friend and fellow Cessna aviator, Dorchen Forman, passed away on June 1. We plan to honor her memory in an upcoming newsletter.
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6898
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Re: Dorchen Forman has Gone West

Post by 6898 »

So sorry to hear the sad news. Cindy and I met her in 2008 Ohio fly in which was our first. We were so impressed she flew in from Ca. with her newlywed husband at the age of 82 I think it was. Came home found her book online and have it signed from her. So much fun to hear of her travels in aviation can't help but be inspired by her. Our prayers for her and family she will be missed by many.
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Jeff T 1948 C-140 NC3600V
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VIP337
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Re: Dorchen Forman has Gone West

Post by VIP337 »

Back in 1980 Curley Owen, our Pesident, sent out a mass mailing of all 120/140 owners resulting in the largest increase in membership ever. Also that year Tom Norton set up the original "Type Tent" for the 140 group at Oshkosh. That was the year Carol and I joined along with Dorchen and Joy Warren. Our membership numbers are close. After Oshkosh I informed Carol we were going to Newton KS for our first Convention, also hosted by Tom Norton. We have memories of watching fireworks on John and Dochen's sailboat on the Fourth of July. Spending time at the house in Santa Barbra that didn't have heat or air-conditioning and with a little imagination you could see the ocean. Dorchen was fearless ( some say she should have a little bit of fear). At one of the Conventions the club donated a case of oil to her. She was headed east to see her kids and was burning a "LOT" of oil. The time she got a personal escort after landing at a military base. The time her and Winnie Wackwawitz(sp?) flew their 140s to Alaska and she flew back alone after Winnie sold her plane. The time John gave us a ride the in 172 in Santa Barbara looking at the Mobile Oil oil platforms. Her stories about being one of the first families on the north slope. I called her the Johnny Appleseed of the club and we gave her a lifetime membership. She was one of a kind and we will miss her.

Bill and Carol
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Re: Dorchen Forman has Gone West

Post by V529 »

Dorchen truly was a "charter member" of the Association, and all around good cheer type person that was a positive influence for more members than she would ever imagine. I still remember her at many conventions with a sash that held each conventions button. Pretty impressive. Dorchen will be missed but not forgotten.

And I too remember her telling everyone about landing at the Air Force base......... "All those guys thinking they had a serious interloper...........only to be met by a 'grandmother'!" "HA, she would laugh".
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Re: Dorchen Forman has Gone West

Post by 2066 »

SO many neat experiences (some riveting, like the restricted air force base landing Victor shared!) Dorchen has flown, lived and shared with us! Bill and Carol could write a book as well as others who have traveled much of this fun journey with her. While maybe a bit intimidating to "normal" 140'ers, distance/geography, weather, winds or maintenance issues never seemed to deter Dorchen whether setting course for Conventions or other fun destinations. If we didn't make a trip, it was almost embarrassing to attempt an excuse to her "why didn't you make it?". Flying in to Harford County, MD in '94 the winds were "heavy and variable" (to put it mildly) and 120-140 flyers inbound from all quadrants were chattering away asking for "winds, runways & alternates" ideas. After a while there came Dorchen's clear voice of perspective: "Boys, you've gotta land sometime!". The Association's top Ambassador, for sure! A fun to be with, inspiring & genuinely contributing person on every important level! Mac & Donna
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