In addition to the Internet Museum of Craftsmanship, each year the Foundation presents one or more awards. The major award each year is the presentation to the Metalworking Craftsman of the Year. This award consists of a $2000.00 check and a presentation plaque or engraved gold medallion. It is publicly awarded each April at the North American Model Engineering Society (NAMES) Exposition in Detroit, Michigan. Details about past winners of the award can be found below.
Several personal Lifetime Achievement awards have also been presented. Phil Matson, Rudy Kouhoupt, Joe Vicars, Bob Shores, Kozo Hiraoka, Augie Hiscano, Ron Chernich, Bob and Frances Washburn, Louis Chenot and Szymon Klimek have been presented with lifetime achievement awards of $500.00 for their contribution to craftsmanship. In addition, special recognition is given to people who contribute to craftsmanship through their expertise or innovation. For a number of years young craftsmen were also rewarded each year with a $500 award started by Craftsman of the Year winner Young C. Park, who chose to donate his $1000 award check back to the foundation to support youth participation in craftsmanship. The Young C. Park award for Young Craftsmen continued in his name each year and was divided among the entrants under the age of 20 in the Sherline Machinist's Challenge contest each April at the North American Model Engineering Society Exposition in Michigan through 2009 until the contest was discontinued.
Each year, an individual is selected who has made an outstanding lifetime contribution to machining, with emphasis on the small end of the size scale. It is not to be a popularity contest, but rather to reward genuine achievement. The winner will be one who stands head and shoulders above all others in his area of specialty, and one whom all in his field could easily agree is "the best". The winner should be a person who has not only taken his skill to the highest level, but has also shared his knowledge, passed it along and encouraged others to improve the level of their work as well.
Although Joe Martin is the owner of a tool manufacturing company, there is no requirement that any particular brand of tools be used in completion of the projects. The award includes a presentation plaque, a gold medallion and a check for $2000.00. The award is presented by a representative of the Joe Martin Foundation at the North American Model Engineering Society (NAMES) Exposition in Michigan or Ohio each April.
Each person named below has been honored by the Foundation for his outstanding craftsmanship. Each name is a link to more details about the craftsman and his projects. You can also click on the photos to see larger images of each winner.
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2010, Michel Lefaivre, Paris, France |
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2009, Richard Carlstedt, Green Bay, WI |
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2008, Ron Colonna, McKeesport, PA |
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2007, Pierre Scerri, Avignon, France |
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2006, David Kucer, Montreal, Canada |
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2005, Gerald A. Wingrove, Javea, Spain |
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2004, Roger L. Ronnie, Rapid City, SD |
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2003, Barry J. Jordan, Derby, England |
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2002, Young C. Park, Honolulu, HI |
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2001, George Luhrs, Shoreham, NY |
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2000, William R. Smith, Powell, TN |
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1999, Wilhelm Huxhold, West Hill, Ontario, Canada |
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1998, Alan Ingersoll, San Mateo, CA |
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1997, Jerry Kieffer, DeForest, WI |
With each award made, the selection to this group becomes more of an honor. This is not so much because of anything the foundation has done but more because of the quality of the individuals in the group. If it is true that you are judged by the company you keep, this is certainly a group that any craftsman would be proud to be associated with. We feel the prestige of this award will increase each year as person selected sees quality of the group he or she will be joining.
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 photo for larger image.)
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(Click on photos for larger image.)
Phil Mattson, La Jolla, CA 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award |
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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
If you have suggestions for a new section or contributions to add to an existing section, please use the submission form above or contact craig@craftsmanshipmuseum.com. If you have expertise in a particular field and would like to contribute your time to act as a "curator" for a particular section, please contact us.
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