Special
Recognition and Achievement Awards
The Joe Martin Foundation periodically offers special
recognition awards to honor a particular achievement or lifetime of achievement
in craftsmanship. Following is a list of the awards presented to date. (Click on
photos for larger image.)
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Phil Mattson, La Jolla, CA
2002 Lifetime Achievement Award
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The first lifetime
achievement award in the area
of model building was awarded in April, 2002
to Philip
Mattson of La Jolla,
California. A certificate of achievement
and a check for $500.00 were presented
to Mr. Mattson for his contribution to
craftsmanship specifically in the area
of ship modeling. Details of Mr.
Mattson's life and work can be seen in
the Internet
Craftsmanship Museum in the section
for model builders. |
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Rudy Kouhoupt,
New Jersey
2003 Lifetime Achievement Award |
The second lifetime achievement
award was presented to
Rudy Kouhoupt
in April, 2003 for his work in the field of model engineering. The award
included a plaque and a check for $500.00. After a full
career as a chemist, Rudy turned to building model engines. He documented
his designs, drew plans made videos and wrote construction articles, making it possible
for many others to build his engines and learn about engine design and
machining. His articles have appeared in magazines like Popular Mechanics
and The Home Shop Machinist. Details of his life and work can be seen in the
Internet Craftsmanship
Museum in the section for model engineers.
It is with sincere
regret we announce that Rudy Kouhoupt passed away in October, 2004. His
presence will be greatly missed in the world of model engineering. His
family has generously donated his entire engine collection, which will be on
display at the Craftsmanship Museum facility in California. |
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Joe Vicars,
2003 Special Award for Innovation |
Joe Vicars sent in a
video of a small automatic tool changer he had developed in his own garage
shop that fit on a Sherline or other small milling machine. Joe Martin was
very impressed with the design and inventiveness of the project and awarded
Mr. Vicars a Special Award for Innovation and
Craftsmanship. The award certificate and a check for $50 was
presented at the North American Model Engineering Society Show in Detroit
April 27, 2003. |
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2003 Young C. Park Youth Award winners |
2002 Craftsman of the Year winner
Young C. Park donated his
$1000.00 winner's check back to the foundation to encourage and support
craftsmanship among young people. The Foundation will use the money to award
$500.00 each year to the entrants in a new YOUTH DIVISION of the
Sherline Machinist's Challenge contest each year. After the original
amount is awarded, the Foundation will continue to fund the
Young C. Park Award in Mr. Park's name each
year to encourage more young people to become interested in making projects
that exhibit outstanding craftsmanship. |
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Bob Shores, Ruskin, Florida
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award
On the
right Bob is shown with his wife of 54 years, Margaret. (Photos: Steve
Peirce) |
Bob Shores has invested
a tremendous amount of time and effort developing engine designs and plans
so that others can enjoy the fun of building IC engines. Bob's designs
include the Little Angel and Silver Angel hit-and-miss
engines, the Silver Bullet, Hercules and other multi-cylinder engines
and many others. Bob makes plans for these kits available basically at his
cost to produce them. He was also always available by phone or in person to
help anyone who bought his plans and kits get through the tough spots. He is
one of the founding members of the Florida Area Model Engineers (FAME). Bob
wrote a book entitled Ignition Coils and Magnetos in Miniature to
help engine builders. Because of his devotion to the hobby and the many
hours of fun he has made possible for many engine modelers, Bob Shores has
been selected in May, 2004 to receive a $500 award
for Lifetime Achievement.
We regret
that Bob was in ill health when notified of the award and passed away soon
thereafter, but we were glad that we were able to show this sign of our
appreciation for all the people he helped before he passed away. |
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Kozo Hiraoka, Tokyo, Japan
2005 Lifetime Achievement Award |
The fourth lifetime achievement
award was presented to
Kozo Hiraoka
of Japan in 2005. Mr. Hiraoka is known to all who build small live
steam locomotives for the books he has written on the subject. His books on
gear driven Shay's like the Climax and his latest on the Pennsylvania A3
Switcher are lavishly illustrated with hand-drawn technical art and clear
photographs. Kozo also took on the daunting task of learning English so that
he could write the technical instructions for an American audience rather
than producing them in his native Japanese. Mr. Hiraoka's books are
published by Village Press in Michigan and can be found at
www.villagepress.com.
Mr. Hiraoka was presented with an award plaque and special gold
medallion to honor his achievement. |
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Augie Hiscano,
Miami, FL
2006 Lifetime Achievement Award, shown here with his wife Carol. |
The fifth lifetime achievement
award was presented posthumously to
Augie
Hiscano for both the incredible achievement of producing "Best of
Show" winning model automobiles over a span of four decades, and also for
the tireless effort he put into helping all those interested in learning
about modeling. Augie won the biggest car modeling contest ever held--the
first Revelle National Contest in 1964, beating out over 500,000 entries.
From there he went on to build real hotrods and eventually got back into
modeling as manager of Orange Blossom Hobbies in Miami, Fl. In 1989 he was
invited back to the big Salt Lake City contest as a judge and was inspired
to get back into modeling. He went on to produce several more winners that
to this day set the standards for customized plastic car models.
Augie
passed away unexpectedly in 2005 at the height of his mastery as a model
maker and as one of the greatest ambassadors for the hobby. |
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Ron
Chernich, Brisbane, Australia
2007 Lifetime Achievement Award |
Ron Chernich of Australia has been selected as winner
of the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ron is a long time engine modeler who has shared details of the hobby with
many around the world through his ever-expanding web site at
www.modelenginenews.org.
Producing this site and keeping it updated is a massive undertaking, and Ron
has mastered this new form of communication to bring model engine builders
from around the world into a single community where they can share their
passion. Ron has also shared his skills as a machinist by making the pistons
and rings for the Seal Engine Project hosted by
the Foundation.
Ron is being presented a gold medallion and a check for
$500 with our thanks for his contribution to quality modeling. |
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Robert and
Frances Washburn, Kent, Washington
2007 Lifetime Achievement Award |
This second 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award is to honor both
Robert and Frances Washburn, the team responsible for publication of
Strictly IC magazine.
Starting in February,1984 and continuing through Volume 14, #84 in January
2002, they split the chores with Robert contributing the illustration,
technical writing and production while Frances contributed the photography
and administrative (distribution and subscription) duties—a true team
effort. The magazine was one of the few that catered only to builders of
miniature internal combustion engines, and it was eventually to boast
subscribers in many countries around the world. The information contributed
by Frances and Robert was instrumental in helping many MICE builders to
complete engines of all configurations, and the back issues they still
distribute continue that tradition to this day.
To read more about Robert,
Frances and the magazine, CLICK HERE. |
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Louis Chenot,
Carl Junction, MO
2009 Lifetime Achievement Award |
Louis Chenot caught our eye years ago at the North American
Model Engineering Society Expo in the Detroit area with a very ambitious
project. When we first saw it, he only had completed the engine and frame of
a 1936 Duesenberg, but it was done to a high degree of perfection, and his
plan was to build the complete car. Each year more progress could be seen on
the car to the point where it is now almost complete. Lou is now working on
getting the engine running before going ahead with the final step, the paint
job. We felt this project, along with other fine models Lou has built
deserved some special recognition and encouragement.
Lou was presented
with a certificate of achievement, an engraved gold medallion and a check
from the Foundation for $500.00 at the 2009 NAMES show in Toledo, Ohio on
April 18, 2009.
NOTE: in 2011,
Lou was awarded the Metalworking Craftsman of the Decade award, the
foundation's highest award. |
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Szymon Klimek,
Poznań,
Poland
2009 Special Achievement Award |
Szymon Klimek has taken elements of metalworking, model
engineering, jewelry and art and combined them into the production of pieces
that defy firm categorization. The detailed, polished brass pieces model
articles including things as different as locomotives and hatboxes. Starting
in 2004 this craftsman, who is trained as an engineer, has created over 100
miniature metal sculptures. They are often displayed within the protection
of a glass wine goblet and feature inlaid jewels. Model engines run inside
the goblet, hooked to tiny solar panels for power. A model of an antique
bicycle has a brass hat and pair of gloves on the seat. His vision of these
objects is uniquely his own, yet three is something to please each viewer.
For his unique vision of model making, Szymon received a certificate of
achievement, an engraved gold medallion and a check from the Foundation for
$500.00 in September, 2009. |
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Fred Heim,
Marlborough, MA
2012 Lifetime Achievement Award |
Before retirement a few years ago,
Fred Heim’s occupation was building
boats. He has built many beautiful, full-size wooden powerboats over the
years and has been working in wood since the age of 10. This means he now
has a big shop to work in, plenty of good tools and the ability to make just
about anything in wood, fiberglass or metal. A few years ago he got the bug
to build models of trucks and construction equipment and chose the large
scale of 1/2 size. He completed a Peterbilt 379 semi with Hill dump trailer
and also a flatbed trailer. Needing something to put on it, he went on to
build several pieces of Caterpiller equipment including a D8R, an excavator
and a wheel loader. He then turned his interest to large 1/12 scale ship
models and has built 4 at that scale, from a modern fiberglass sport
fisherman to a vintage 1929 luxury motor yacht.
For his lifetime of
creating works of art in wood, metal and fiberglass at full size and to
scale, Fred has received a certificate of achievement, an engraved gold
medallion and a check for $500.00 in December, 2012. |
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Iqbal Ahmed, Nagpur,
India
2012 Lifetime Achievement Award |
Iqbal Ahmed first came to our attention
when he entered a small project in the Sherline Machinist's Challenge
contest. We were impressed with the model, especially when we saw the giant,
outdated machine tools on which it was made. Iqbal was working in a relative
model engineering vacuum in his area of India and had little interaction
with other model engineers or basis of comparison for his work. Over the
years he continued to enter the contest and each year his work improved in
detail and finish. Finally, in 2007 he took an unprecedented first and
second place with his entries. He has also built many steam engines and
locomotives of ride-on size. He also recently received international acclaim
for his 1/4 scale running model of the historic Benz Motorwagen from 1886,
which was the featured model at the 2012 North American Model Engineering
Society Expo in Detroit, MI.
For his lifetime pursuit of
model engineering excellence, Iqbal Ahmed has received a
certificate of
achievement, an engraved gold medallion and a check for $500.00 in December,
2012. |
If you have suggestions for a new
section or contributions to add to an
existing section,
please contact us at mecm@craftsmanshipmuseum.com |
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